Page 7 - 2021_JA_Complete2

guest
editorial

Reducing Recidivism

with Workforce Partnerships

Reducing rates and incidents across all levels of government Studies have shown that
of recidivism directly benefits to shoulder the reduction of providing these online tools
society in numerous ways, inmate populations. on the back end of job readi-
including increasing the safety Employers are beginning ness training has drastically
in our communities, decreas- to recognize that a criminal reduced recidivism rates Richard Boone
ing victimization rates, reduc- record should not automati- among those on community
ing criminal justice costs, and cally disqualify a candidate supervision. In recent years,
fostering family preservation. from employment. In fact, partnerships between state
Lack of employment can some research has shown that workforce and corrections
have a significant impact on employees with a criminal agencies have brought this
an individual’s tendency to history have a deep desire technology to the justice-
re-offend. Studies have shown to work and establish self- involved, with much suc-
that unemployment rates sufficiency; they exhibit more cess, including pre-release
are highest for ex-offenders loyalty to their employer inmates in jails. This has given
within the first two years of and tend to stay in their jobs inmates access to the inter-
their release, and programs longer. Employers are also net while still incarcerated,
that focus on pro-active, pre- encouraged to take advan- and has long been a topic of
release job placement can, in tage of workforce develop- debate. Opponents point to Deane Toler
fact, reduce the likelihood of ment incentives such as the the numerous security threats
recidivism, especially among Work Opportunity Tax Credit that access would invite.
non-violent offenders. and the Federal Bonding Proponents see internet con-
Program when hiring an nectivity as a vital aspect of
Strengthening Bonds ex-offender. Corrections and rehabilitation. It builds trust,
and when it comes to post-
Over the past decade, more workforce agencies are becom-
and more justice and labor ing much more aggressive release employment prospects,
those who are internet-savvy
departments have concluded in courting and educating have a distinct advantage over
that partnerships are neces- employers on the benefits of those who are not.
sary in bringing the latest hiring those who have been
job readiness programs and justice-involved.
workforce development The Workforce Investment Allowing Access
technology to inmates. These Act of 1998 established public Recently, correctional facili-
efforts involve a variety of employment locations known ties and the departments that
initiatives, including job fairs, as Career One Stop Centers govern them have become
job readiness training, and across the country. As tech- more open to allowing such
soft-skills awareness activities. nology evolved, states began technologies. In some facili-
In recognition of this need, providing web-based career ties, tablets are being deployed
states are making the invest- services that allowed citizens to inmates as a means to offer
ment to strengthen the bond to go online to create résumés, educational and entertainment
between workforce agencies conduct labor market research, content, or as a way to help
and state and local correc- take skills assessments, iden- modify behavior. Inmates can
tions entities. The staggering tify training, and apply for also communicate with family
costs of incarceration has led jobs. through these devices, which
to criminal justice reforms generate revenue based on
usage for the correctional facil-
ity and device providers.

Continued on page 72

AMERICANJails JULY | AUGUST 2021 | 5