Individuals released from prison or jail are likely to need support to maintain employment, or to find jobs if they have not done so prior to their release to the community. Preceding policy statements, including Policy Statement 15 (Education and Vocational Training), Policy Statement 16 (Work Experience), Policy Statement 21 (Creation of Employment Opportunities), and Policy Statement 22 (Workforce Development and the Transition Plan), have provided a blueprint for preparing people during their incarceration for employment and for stimulating job creation in the community. Community corrections officials can complement these strategies by assisting individuals after release with logistical barriers to employment, trying to accommodate the job requirements of these individuals in implementing the supervision strategy, and referring releasees to community-based organizations that provide more extensive employment services.

Recommendations:

A.

Update community corrections policy so that it encourages, rather than discourages, employing people on probation or parole.

1.

People with criminal convictions face substantial legal and logistical barriers in obtaining a job.

B.

Assist, to the extent appropriate, people with criminal records seeking to surmount legal and logistical obstacles to employment.

2.

Most individuals are released from prison or jail without a job or transitional work placement.

C.

Promote supportive transitional employment programs through community corrections.

3.

Even when former prisoners do secure employment, job retention over the medium to long term is a challenge.