NCJ Number
210714
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 56 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2005 Pages: 174-185
Date Published
June 2005
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article reports the findings of a survey of State correctional vocational education administrators to determine the use, acceptance, and impact of job fairs in State prisons and correctional institutions.
Abstract
Job fairs are events that provide the opportunity for representatives of various employers to meet with potential job applicants to explain the nature of jobs and recruitment incentives being offered. The fairs are intended to be mutually beneficial for both employers and those seeking employment. In September 2002, the correctional and vocational education administrators in all 50 States were surveyed to solicit information on job fairs in their correctional institutions. Responses were received from 26 of the States. Of those responding, 42 percent of the States had conducted job fairs in their facilities, with the model for the fairs tending to be that established by the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 1992. Of the 58 percent of respondents who had not conducted a job fair, many indicated they were planning a job fair within the next year. Overwhelmingly, respondents indicated that job fairs were an effective means of preparing inmates for prison release, and inmates apparently concurred with this assessment. Nine percent of respondents reported that inmates found the event to be self-esteem building, and 9 percent indicated that inmates appreciated having nonprofit support organizations also present at the job fair to assist them with postrelease information. The costs for such fairs are minimal, involving mainly increased security staffing for the event. This article concludes with a listing of recommendations from job fair coordinators regarding pitfalls in the planning and implementation of a job fair. 11 references