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Barriers to Employment, Training and Education in Prison and Beyond: A Peer-Led Solution (From What Works with Women Offenders, P 240-261, 2007, Rosemary Sheehan, Gill McIvor, et al., eds. -- See NCJ-223204)

NCJ Number
223215
Author(s)
Caroline O'Keeffe; Paul Senior; Valerie Monti-Holland
Date Published
2007
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This chapter provides a unique understanding of the potential and pitfalls of ‘peer led’ approaches in overcoming employment, training, and education (ETE) barriers for women ex-offenders.
Abstract
The Supporting Other through Volunteer Action (SOVA) Women into Work program offered a unique, innovative approach to overcoming barriers to employment, training, and education (ETE) for women ex-offenders. Within the program both peer researchers and peer support workers were offered a positive experience of the world of work where their experiences of the criminal justice system were utilized and valued. The opportunities presented to women ex-offenders on this program increased their self-confidence and ultimately their future employability. In addition, the beneficiaries of peer led support services may expect to gain from an increased rapport and closeness with their support workers which may facilitate a less daunting transition in the world of ETE. In summary, the Women into Work program has clearly demonstrated the potential for peer led solutions to be more effective in overcoming barriers to ETE for women ex-offenders than more traditional approaches, not least because of their empowering and holistic emphasis. Women ex-offenders face numerous seemingly insurmountable barriers when attempting to access ETE following a prison sentence. In this chapter, the authors examine how education programs, such as literacy, life skills, or vocational training contribute to reduce reoffending for women prisoners or offenders on community-based orders. It uses the SOVA Women into Work program to showcase empirical evidence of the successes of ‘peer led’ approaches, to both research and service delivery, in overcoming barriers to ETE for women ex-offenders. Figures, notes, references