2 in 5 prison and jail inmates lack a high school diploma or its equivalent. Employment rates and earnings histories of people in prisons and jails are often low before incarceration Large, three-state recidivism study found that less than half of released prisoners had secured a job upon their return to the community (The Council of State Governments Justice Center website, n.d.).

Previous methods used in Career Center with offenders Give packet of info & list of employers who hire Limited employment opportunities—during high unemployment, offenders last to be hired

New Ways of Thinking & Best Practices Simply placing into employment not silver bullet for reducing criminal behavior Must address antisocial attitudes and beliefs associated with crime 8 criminogenic factors identified in research Gender specific factors for females

Risk Screeners and Assessments Transition Application Alcohol screeners Substance Abuse Screeners Mental Health Screeners Proxy Triage—current age, age at first arrest, number of prior offenses

Interventions Screeners identify level of risk Intervention for each risk factor Cognitive Behavior Strategies Thinking for Change Parenting classes Relationship counseling Testing for learning disabilities High School Equivalency Prep

XtQqfkg Interventions & Strategies Self-Efficacy—Enhances clients’ belief to achieve results (“I think I can”) Motivational Interviewing (M.I.) Emphasizes client’s role in change Evokes change talk

Interventions & Strategies Self-Efficacy—Enhances clients’ belief to achieve results (“I think I can”) Movie The Help (You is kind, you is smart, you is important)– ( Motivational Interviewing (M.I.) Emphasizes client’s role in change Evokes change talk

Sample Motivational Interviewing Questions 1.What would you like to see change in your life? 2.On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 the worst & 10 the best), where are you with that change? 3.Why are you at 3 instead of 2? 4.So you are at 3? What would you have to do to get to 4?

M.I. and Solution-focused techniques One small change Coping questions Exception questions Miracle questions Task Assignments

More Interventions Positive Psychology Parenting classes Family/relationship counseling Leisure—Chess, serving others Celebrate Recovery, A.A.,N.A.

Helping Offenders with Job Search— 3 most important things 1.Help them in filling out application & explaining offense 2. Letter of explanation 3. Help them in explaining offense in interview

Tools to Use with Employers EEO Policies WOTC Federal Bonding Certificate of Employability On the Job Training Work Release

References Employment.pp_.pdf Motivational Interviewing: Thinking for Change online curriculum: Contact Info: