Also of Interest: Before You Search
Ex-Offenders: Resources to Assist with the Return to the Workforce
These are a resources intended to help the formerly incarcerated as well as those who support them. The very best re-entry resources for men and women who have served their sentence are found in the prisons, and this includes job search support services. Making these connections and taking advantage of their services before you are released is one of the best steps you can take for yourself and those who care about you.
- What the Arrest/Conviction Guidance Means to You, by Ron Chapman (ere.net)
- Addressed to employers, this article discusses the updated Enforcement Guidance on employer use of arrest and conviction records in employment decisions that was issued by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on April 25, 2012. You should be aware of this guidance and how it may affect your situation (or for counselors and others, your clients). This article explains the issue in fairly plain English.
- Why I Hire Former Convicts and Gang Members, Lindsay Blakely (CBSNews.com)
- And excellent interview with John Shegerian of Electronic Recyclers International, Fresno, CA, on why he hires these men and women, using their old skills in new, positive ways. He also uses the more experienced employees to mentor the new hires.
- ExOffenderReentry.com
- Created by Impact Publications, this is a one-stop center with links to advice as well as materials for those who have served time in prison and are now coming back into society and those who are aiding them. As many of us know, these people have a very difficult time finding employment, but steady employment is exactly what is needed. There are guides to finding work, writing the resume, and preparing for interviews and salary negotiations as well as lists resources and support services for the ex-offender.
- The Federal Bonding Program
- "In 1966 the U.S. Department of Labor established The Federal Bonding Program to provide Fidelity Bonds that guarantee honesty for 'at-risk', hard-to-place job seekers. The bonds cover the first six months of employment. There is no cost to the job applicant or the employer. In most states the bonds are made available through the state agency responsible for workforce matters." I had never heard of this program, and I bet many of you hadn't either. It is available for at-risk and NOT BONDABLE persons, including anyone with a record of arrest, conviction or imprisonment, anyone who has ever been on probation or parole, recovering substance abusers (alcohol and/or drug abuse), welfare recipients and other persons having a poor credit record or who have declared bankruptcy, economically disadvantaged youth who lack a work history, and individuals who were dishonorably discharged from the military. You can find a list of the state bonding coordinators on the website, but you may also call the toll-free number 1.877.US2.JOBS (1.877.872.5627) for the location of the workforce office/one-stop center nearest your home and, the telephone number of the State Bonding Coordinator for your state. In those states without a state bonding coordinator, callers will be referred to the nearest career center/ one-stop center for employment assistance. Individuals who seek assistance may call as well as those organizations working with these persons.
- Family and Corrections Network
- ...providing ways for those concerned with families of prisoners to share information and experiences in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The website includes links to numerous local groups offering services and support to the incarcerated and their families during and after their separation.
- Goodwill Industries: Specialize Services for People with Criminal Backgrounds
- ...this is a very short summary of the services Goodwill offers to persons who have been incarcerated, including employment support. You just need to contact your local Goodwill center (searchable directory right here too!)
- National H.I.R.E. Network
- ..."Helping Individuals with Criminal Records Reenter Through Employment." Established by the Legal Action Center, the National HIRE Network is a national clearinghouse for information as well as an advocate for policy change. "The goal of the National H.I.R.E. Network is to increase the number and quality of job opportunities available to people with criminal records by changing public policies, employment practices and public opinion. The National H.I.R.E. Network also provides training and technical assistance to agencies working to improve the employment prospects for people with criminal records." Use the Resources list to find state agencies and local organizations to assist you.
- National Reentry Resource Center
- Established by the Second Chance Act of April 2008, The National Reentry Resource Center "provides assistance to the prisoner reentry field. We provide education, training, and technical assistance to states, tribes, territories, local governments, service providers, nonprofit organizations, and corrections agencies working on prisoner reentry." While this organization is designed to support those who support ex-offenders and their families, they do have some resources for those returning home, including a short list of resources and sample programs along with a much longer list of Reentry Service Directories for each state plus DC.
- National Transitional Jobs Network
- This site offers information and resources for persons wanting to start jobs programs, along with a list of currently available Transitional Jobs Programs from across the country. I used this just the other day to help a person find local assistance. "Transitional Jobs is an employment strategy that seeks to overcome employment barriers and transition people with labor market barriers into work using wage-paid, short-term employment that combines real work, skill development and supportive services. [...] Cities and States are developing TJ programs as part of their city and statewide plans to address poverty, ensure successful reentry of people returning from incarceration, reduce the receipt of public assistance payments, support housing and supportive housing goals, and ensure that local and state workforce development systems work for all. "
- Center for Employment Opportunities (NY)
- "CEO helps men and women who are under New York State Parole Supervision in New York City, Albany County, Erie County and Westchester County. CEO also works with individuals under the supervision of the New York City Probation in Brooklyn. We also accept other formerly incarcerated people on a case by case basis including individuals under the supervision of Federal or New York City Probation.[...] CEO offers comprehensive employment services exclusively for people with criminal records. CEO's model is based on a highly structured program of pre-employment training, short-term paid transitional employment and full-time job placement and retention services."
- The Osborne Association (NY)
- ...Based in the greater New York City area, "The Osborne Association operates a broad range of treatment, educational, and vocational services for people involved in the adult criminal and juvenile justice systems, including prisoners and former prisoners, their children, and other family members." Among their many other counseling and treatment services, The Osborne Association offers employment and training services to persons while incarcerated as well as after release.
- Prison Outreach Ministry
- ...based in the Washington DC region and serving Montgomery County (MD), Prince George's County (MD) and the district, this service "seeks to reduce recidivism, develop support systems for individuals returning to their communities following incarceration, and educate the community by building relationships and matching individuals with volunteer mentors from faith communities and civic organizations. Mentors provide practical assistance, spiritual guidance, and compassionate service through close collaboration with the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, and other private and public organizations in the region." They expect to expand their Welcome Home Reentry Program into the Maryland counties of Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary's.
- Resource Directory for Prisoners, the Naljor Prison Dharma Service
- "This resource directory is our way of extending compassion and assistance to you in a way that will hopefully bring some practical benefit and upliftment in this challenging time of your life." It starts with lists of ministry and spiritual services available to the incarcerated but also lists Legal Support services, Free Book Resources, Pen Pals, Creative Writing / Artistic Resources, Reentry Assistance / Family and Personal Support, Jobs / Careers / Continuing Education (some links are out of date), and Personal Health and Nutrition. I am linking you to the web copy, but you can also download this in PDF format for yourself or someone else. Free.
- from the National Institute of Corrections
- This agency of the US Dept. of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons provides training, technical assistance, information services, and policy/program development assistance to federal, state, and local corrections agencies. They also provide leadership to influence correctional policies, practices, and operations nationwide in areas of emerging interest and concern to correctional executives and practitioners as well as public policymakers.
- Employment Information Handbook. 2011 Edition (US Bureau of Prisons)
- "This handbook 'provides prisoners with contacts and other information that can help them to prepare for release' (p. 2). Sections contained in this guide are: purpose; what to do to prepare for release; employers who hire ex-offenders; federal programs to help ex-offenders; state and federal jobs for ex-offenders; loans and grants; programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor; other programs not directly related to employment; how to get a birth certificate; state contacts for vital documents; how to get a driver's license; state contacts for driver license information; Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service; how to get money to continue ones education; and appendixes -- job search information, sample resume, sample job application, and Federal Bonding Program State Bonding Coordinators." This is a free publication you can download in PDF format.
- Career Resource Centers: An Emerging Strategy for Improving Offender Employment Outcomes, National Institute of Corrections
- "NIC is pleased to announce the release of Career Resource Centers -- An Emerging Strategy for Improving Offender Employment Outcomes. This information-rich bulletin provides a step-by-step guide for setting up a Career Resource Center in a correctional facility, a parole or probation office, or a community-based organization. It includes a companion, multimedia DVD that contains many of the resources needed to operate an effective center. Through an easy-to-use menu that parallels the written text, you can watch videotaped interviews with practitioners, install career assessment software, and read dozens of documents related to career exploration, offender reentry, collaboration building and much more. For your no cost copy of this important bulletin, call NIC's information center at 1 (800) 877-1461 and ask for item number 023066 or visit NIC on the web at http://nicic.gov/Library/023066. You can learn more about the product through this YouTube video.
- Simulated Online/Kiosk Job Application
- Created by the National Institute of Corrections Offender Workforce Development Division, this free simulation training software program provides basic information about computerized employment applications, tips for completing online job applications, a printable worksheet that can be used to prepare offenders for using these systems, and a full-length interactive application with context sensitive help. It was designed so "offenders in prisons, jails, parole and probation offices, faith-based agencies, and community-based organizations can use this to practice completing an employment application using a computer that does not have access to the Internet." This is in direct response to the growing practice of electronic applications, either on the Internet or on a location-specific kiosk. Job counselors can download the setup program from this site for free or order a CD-ROM at no cost. A single copy can be used by multiple users (there is an option to erase a person's practice file). I downloaded the program and played with it a bit, and I think those you work with will find it easy to use and extremely helpful. While you are here, browse the many other resources available from the NIC for those working with ex-offenders.
- Documents Related to Offender Employment, National Institute of Corrections
- This link takes you to the NIC's full list of documents related to Offender Employment, which includes links to information, resources, and services that relate to aiding the former felon in finding meaningful employment upon his or her re-entry into public. Be sure to note dates of publication. Free!
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These programs are both in New York City, but they offer programs and services designed to help individuals avoid jail time.
- Community Connections for Youth
- ..."a New-York based nonprofit organization whose mission is to mobilize indigenous faith and neighborhood organizations to develop effective community-based alternative-to-incarceration programs for youth. CCFY believes that increasing local community capacity to work with youth in the justice system is the key to reducing youth crime and delinquency, and improving long-term life outcomes for youth." This marvelous organization has received a 3-year grant from the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services to develop a research-based initiative to build community capacity to serve youth in the justice system. If you can assist them with this effort, please contact them.
- CASES, the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services
- Operating throughout the boroughs of New York City, "the mission of CASES is to increase the understanding and use of community sanctions that are fair, affordable, and consistent with public safety. [...] Our legal staff maintains a presence in courtrooms citywide. We work with judges, district attorneys, defense lawyers, legal advocates, the NYC Department of Probation and the NYS Division of Parole to identify individuals appropriate for our programs and we advocate for their supervision by CASES." Read more about their current efforts and programs. And, if you are someone interested in this kind of work, they list their current job openings on the site.
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