Reentry and Workforce Best Practices for Employment Success

November 07, 2024 by Bea Crawford

Employment and successful reentry play a crucial role in reintegrating incarcerated individuals into communities. In a recent webinar hosted by the American Probation and Parole Association, industry experts Michael Laughlin and Jack Martin shared invaluable insights into proven strategies and best practices designed to facilitate successful reentry and workforce development.

Addressing barriers, engaging employers, collaborating with stakeholders, implementing evidence-based strategies, and paying close attention to the larger challenges in the system of change management were crucial elements highlighted in the discussion. Here’s the recap:

Key Challenges

1. Barriers to Employment

Criminal records can create stigma and legal barriers that hinder post-release employment opportunities. Formerly incarcerated individuals often face challenges like skills gaps, lack of work experience, or inadequate education. Those with a history of substance abuse or untreated mental health issues often need support to be job-ready, maintain employment, and achieve financial stability. Accessing basic needs such as transportation, housing, and childcare can be extra challenging for individuals working toward rehabilitation while following court and parole requirements.

Exploring the challenges formerly incarcerated individuals encounter when seeking employment sheds light on the hurdles they must overcome. However, it’s also crucial to examine how the program itself can create barriers and contribute to poor outcomes.

2. Reasons for Poor Reentry Program and Employment Outcomes

Laughlin described his "list of lessons learned" based on early career insights as a probation and pretrial officer, stating: "I was just trying to get it done. I was handing them a job search log. I was trying to give them the latest and greatest sheet I had, which had scratch outs and handwritten stuff to add new employers that were supposedly hiring ex-offenders. It was often out of date. And they weren’t necessarily looking for something they were good at or wanted to do that matched their skills. Some of the programs gave limited outcomes and did not individualize the plan, get a good assessment, or set goals based on their individual needs."

Laughlin highlighted the top reasons for poor reentry program and employment outcomes:

Plans and goals are not individualized for results.
Valid assessments are not done to target gaps or needs.
Individuals are pushed to reenter the workforce when not prepared, motivated, or incentivized.
Programs don’t have a collaborative or comprehensive approach to understanding the individual.
There is a poor employer focus and partnership, which lowers job placement and retention.
Program or referral oversight and outcome measurement are limited.

After uncovering reasons for poor reentry program outcomes, the webinar revealed areas for improvement in the system to avoid these mistakes. Additionally, adopting evidence-based strategies and comprehensive approaches can guide sustainable success.

Strategies for Successful Reentry Employment Programs

Reentry into society after incarceration poses various challenges, especially in finding suitable employment opportunities. Leveraging validated tools, using evidence-based models, and addressing the interconnected needs of individuals beyond employment are crucial components of successful outcomes.

An effective approach should include the following elements:

Early Assessment and Placement: It is crucial to conduct early personalized assessments and leverage institutional and local resources to better prepare individuals for employment opportunities. Additionally, it is important to use validated tools to identify interests, aptitudes, and needs, and ensure the placement tool considers criminal history limitations when making decisions.
Navigating System Change Management: This involves establishing a clear, achievable vision, frequent and honest communication, leading by example, and striving for improvement while remaining transparent about outcomes.
Leveraging Evidence-Based Strategies: Utilizing proven models and methods for system and organizational change, such as the risk-needs-responsibility (RNR) approach, cognitive-behavioral interventions, social learning theory, mentoring, and peer support programs, is critical for effective reentry programs.
Targeted Support Services are Essential: Providing targeted support services, such as job training, mental health support, and substance abuse treatment, and aligning interventions to individual needs and job readiness is essential.
Holistic Reentry Planning: Addressing various factors beyond employment, such as housing, mental health, and education, is imperative for sustained workforce participation and lowering recidivism long term.
Measuring Program Success Against Baselines: Measuring program success against baselines is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and strategies, setting measurable goals, and tracking progress for continuous improvement.

Incorporating these strategies and embracing a holistic approach can significantly enhance individuals’ chances of successful reintegration into society and the workforce.

Key Takeaways

“Ultimately, the goal is having a holistic approach that integrates both reentry and workforce practices that's collaborative and pays close attention to the larger challenges in the system of change management,” Laughlin concluded.

By addressing barriers, engaging employers, collaborating with stakeholders, and implementing evidence-based strategies, programs can improve reentry outcomes and increase job success for individuals reentering society.

To delve deeper into the insightful strategies and best practices discussed, watch the full, on-demand webinar recording.