Job Placement for Offenders: A Promising Approach to Reducing Recidivism and Correctional Costs

• NCJ Number: 178119
• Journal: National Institute of Justice Journal Dated: July 1999 Pages: 2-11
• Author(s): Peter Finn
• Date Published: July 1999
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): OJP-94-C-007
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Series: NIJ Journal
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes four programs that prepare inmates and parolees for employment and job searching: the Safer Foundation in Chicago, the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in New York City, Project RIO (Reintegration of Offenders) in Texas, and the Corrections Clearinghouse (CCH) in Washington State.

Abstract

Most of Safer's clients are referred from probation and parole officers; they receive basic education and life skills classes as well as job placement assistance. During orientation week, residents attend nine 90-minute minicourses on such topics as money management, job interviewing techniques, and stress management. Between these courses, the Crossroads Community Correctional Center offers a basic reading and math skills course that uses a small-group peer learning approach in which groups of three to five students help each other with the aid of a professional instructor. CEO in New York City assigns ex- offenders to day-labor work crews, which provide participants with structure and activity, good work habits, daily income, and a test of their readiness for placement in a permanent job. Like Safer Foundation, Project RIO in Texas also serves offenders while they are in prison. RIO offers inmates life skills classes; individual job readiness counseling; and help in assembling birth certificates, Social Security cards, school transcripts, and other needed documents, so they can begin looking for employment as soon as they are released. RIO's services to released offenders include the standard combination of assessment, placement, and follow-up. Washington State's CCH initially coordinated job search activities for adult offenders being released from prison. These efforts have now been expanded to include services within correctional facilities. Although data are insufficient to state conclusively that these types of programs are effective in helping large numbers of ex-offenders to remain employed and avoid reincarceration, the programs hold sufficient promise of achieving these goals to warrant replication. 1 figure and 9 notes