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Getting Back to Work: Employment Programs for Ex-Offenders

NCJ Number
187563
Author(s)
Maria L. Buck
Date Published
2000
Length
36 pages
Annotation
After reviewing the history of employment programs for ex-offenders, this report provides an overview of current activities related to ex-offender employment and then profiles nonprofit ex-offender employment programs.
Abstract
The historical review of ex-offender employment programs notes that over the past 30 years research on such programs has had mixed results. A 1997 review of the literature (Bushway and Reuter) concluded that "even after 30 years of trying...no program...has consistently shown itself capable (through a rigorous random assignment evaluation) of decreasing recidivism through labor market oriented programs." However, as research continued in the 1980's and 1990's, promising results emerged on the connection between post-release employment and recidivism rates. Since the late 1980's, several Federal agencies have begun initiatives that examine and strengthen the connection between prison and post-prison services, with a view toward reducing recidivism. The resurgence of interest in ex-offender programs is also shown in a number of State initiatives. In their departments of corrections and parole, as well as labor and welfare, States are developing new employment programs for ex-offenders. Specific State programs are described for Georgia, Maryland, and Ohio. A separate section of this report focuses on nonprofit ex-offender programs, since the majority of existing ex-offender employment programs are operated by local nonprofit organizations. For this report, five organizations were examined. Although the selected programs have a variety of approaches, at their core they share the same basic strategy and program elements: job readiness courses, job assessment and development, and post-placement activities. This common strategy stems from a critical need among ex-offenders: quick employment and income. Case studies of these programs are provided in the appendix. 8 notes and 32 references