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On Prison Kiosks, Inmates Learn Job Search Skills

NCJ Number
228212
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 71 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2009 Pages: 56-58
Author(s)
Ed Rarick; Randall M. Kahan
Date Published
August 2009
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes the benefits and features of JOBview 2nd Chance, an ATM-like kiosk that enables inmates in prison to browse hundreds of thousands of jobs from a touch screen user interface through a secure wireless connection to the JOBview datacenter located in Minnesota.
Abstract
The kiosk does not provide general access to the Internet and has no keyboard. The user interface has been refined over several years and is so user friendly that no inmate training is required to use it. The jobs are updated nightly, so the jobs listed are always current. The jobs can be searched by area and job type. Each job listing has a valid employer name, job description, city, State, and zip code. The job description includes the skills and qualifications required. Having this information while still incarcerated allows inmates to better match available prison education and training programs to the job requirements they know they will need upon reentry. The jobs are filtered into 1 of 20 job type categories listed on the user interface. Securing employment quickly after release is one of the best ways to ensure offenders will adopt a prosocial lifestyle upon reentry. Being able to start the job search 30 to 90 days prior to release aids in preparation of vocational planning and confirms the job opportunities that are available at release locations. This gives inmates a headstart in finding a suitable and satisfying job early in their reentry into the community.