A key to offender reintegration

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By Dave Anderson , Editor for Quick Job Search for Ex-Offenders, and the Offender Reintegration Scale

Published: 03/31/2008

Between 600,000 and 700,000 inmates are released annually.
Two-thirds of them will be re-arrested within three years after their release.

Over half of all people leaving prison or on probation are unemployed.
Most professionals agree that reducing recidivism is the key to alleviating the stress on our overburdened correctional system. The prescription for reducing recidivism is simple enough in theory, even though it is complex in practice. It is a multi-step, intensive process that is carried out by organizations and committed professionals every day.:

Help them secure basic needs such as housing and health care

Encourage ex-offenders to get their General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and improve their skills and qualifications

Give them information on basic budgeting and finances

Encourage them to use all of the community resources at their disposal

Provide job search assistance that meets their specific needs

Professionals who work with ex-offenders say jobs are key to reducing recidivism. The New York Department of Labor found that 83 percent of offenders who violated probation or parole were unemployed at the time. Steady employment provides much more than a paycheck. It bolsters ex-offenders' work experience and teaches much needed skills, as well as keeps them from returning to the "informal economy" that got many of them incarcerated in the first place.

By building up their training and work history and earning the respect and recommendations of their employers, ex-offenders stand the best chance of successfully reintegrating into society, moving up the career ladder, and living a satisfying and crime-free life.

Unfortunately, finding a job—already a difficult process for many—is an even steeper uphill battle for ex-offenders. In addition to financial barriers, transportation issues, and mental and physical health concerns, ex-offenders face the stigma of their records and employers who often see them as too risky to hire.

According to one study, only 12.5 percent of employers say they would accept an applicant with a criminal record. Ex-offenders have to work extra hard to convince employers that they are dependable and committed and eager to learn on the job. To do so, ex-offenders need coaching on job search techniques specific to their needs and circumstances.

The truth is that most job search materials on the market don't speak to the concerns faced by ex-offenders. Most job search books fail to address the barriers that ex-offenders face, offer unrealistic expectations for the kinds of jobs that are available to them, and assume access to resources that ex-offenders simply do not have, such as reliable transportation, strong writing skills, or easy access to the Internet.

Ex-offenders need resources geared specifically to them, resources that address their concerns and keep them focused on realistic objectives. Such resources take tried-and-true job search and career management strategies and apply them to unique circumstances faced by ex-offenders in their quest to reintegrate.

They also face feelings of alienation and despair. They tend to be less skilled and educated, and thus feel disempowered. They need hope, and that means taking the long view on what it means to be successful and how to get there.

It means starting at the bottom and working their way up. It also means having the right resources from the moment they leave their prison walls so they can make their way to a brighter future.

Dave Anderson is the editor of Quick Job Search for Ex-Offenders and the Offender Reintegration Scale.

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