Corrections_Today_November_December_2021_Vol.83_No.6

n Job Training

disparities within the criminal justice system, the author found the construction of perceptions on ex-offender re- integration was primarily the ability to live a quality life, which is measured by the conditions in which an individ- ual’s physical, social, economic and psychological needs are met (Hinton, 2018). In each of these facets of reentry, individuals with backgrounds can often have difficulties obtaining these resources. Faced with these difficulties, individuals often resort back to the same things that got them incarcerated. The findings of the above studies show overall no matter the background, participants feel ad- dressing the physical, economic, social and physiological needs of the justice involved are critical for successful reintegration. Correctional facilities take action With the impact of many former offenders facing barriers that have sent them back to prison, correctional facilities have begun taking active steps in assisting indi- viduals to address this issue. The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) in Wilmington, North Carolina has received a nearly $4 million grant to ready prisoners for the workforce. The three-year grant will help support education and training for at least 400 inmates in correctional institutions in New Hanover and Pender counties, as well as pre-and post-release case man- agement, administrative support services and instructors for the grant program. CFCC was the only recipient in the state to receive the Pathway Home grant, which according to a news release, supports expanded services to eligible, incarcerated individuals in state correctional facilities or local jails prior- and post-release to help eliminate the gap between release and enrollment into a reentry program leading to employment (O’Neil, 2021). In Central Iowa, United Way received a three-year federal grant totaling more than $1.86 million from the Department of Labor that will enable it to continue a highly successful workforce reentry program called Returning Citizens Achieve (CIRCA) project that began in 2018. The award, also part of more than $85.5 million in grants the federal agency is making to assist individu- als now or once involved in the criminal justice system, to secure employment in their communities. United Way of Central Iowa hopes to be able to assist about 200

istock/Olivier Le Moal

additional people through the second round of funding. The grant begins with a six-month planning period start- ing this July, with the performance period beginning in January 2022. As before, the program will provide train- ing for individuals while they are still incarcerated and a year of support after release for employment in Polk, Dallas and Warren counties (Gardyasz, 2021). At the Darlington County prison camp in South Carolina, one current inmate who worked as an HVAC technician for 30 years before getting into trouble a few years ago is teaching his fellow inmates the basics of fixing heating and air conditioning systems to allow them to obtain certifications as HVAC technicians. Through the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), the Darlington County prison camp, is set up as a struc- tured work environment to help prepare inmates for reentering society. Inmates then utilize their skills within the Darlington County Government employment system and are also provided with opportunities to learn voca- tional skills on jobs assigned, as well as participate in Literacy, GED and Work Keys and Life-Coaching Pro- grams (Brown, 2021). Conclusion While many correctional facilities are taking steps to increase their reentry programming, challenges continue since many former offenders return to prison. On the inside, correctional facilities should continue to expand their reentry initiatives, which must include providing

22 — November/December 2021 Corrections Today