Corrections_Today_September_October_2020_Vol.82_No.5

W ithout employment, despite how much if you’re not employed, there is only one path to go and that’s backwards.” These are the sentiments of Michael, a 51-year-old Black man who spent over 26 years in prison. Michael is just one of millions of Americans who have experienced incarceration in the United States. In fact, by the end of 2018, approximately 1 in 40 adults in the U.S. were under some form of correctional supervision. 1 According to the Department of Justice, finding and keeping employment is one of three key elements of successful reentry in addition to access to transitional housing and mentoring. Having a criminal record can create a myriad of barri- ers for individuals seeking employment post-incarceration. For example, many individuals being released from prison have little to no work experience, lack job skills and soft skills, such as knowledge about work appropriate behav- ior and punctuality, that can help navigate the workplace and have criminal justice system-related, or substance use disorder treatment-related, appointments that require flexibility in work hours. 2 While it may be challenging for formerly incarcerated individuals to reenter the workforce, it is possible to obtain and maintain employment. support, family, friends, and associates, how much support you got, if you are not working,

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formerly incarcerated employees (11 men, 9 women). The interviews focused on the role of employment in prevent- ing recidivism and how formerly incarcerated individuals can be successful in the workplace. Fifty-five percent of respondents were white, 30% Black, 5%Asian, and 10% identified as multiracial or other. Fifteen percent of respondents did not graduate from high school, 25% have a high school diploma or equivalent, 55% have some col- lege education, and 5% have a bachelor’s degree. Their mean lifetime incarceration was approximately eight years ranging from six months to 32 years. One of the questions the researchers asked during the interview was, “What advice for finding and keeping a job would you give to individuals who are incarcerated?” This is their advice. Advice about finding a job Take advantage of opportunities while incarcerated One of the first steps to finding a job is being prepared. Previously incarcerated individuals recommend taking every opportunity while incarcerated to gain useful skills that will benefit their chances of employment once re- leased. Vince, a 58-year-old white man who spent over 20 years incarcerated, recommends treating work in prison like a real job. Vince’s suggestions are to take classes or gain work experience while incarcerated, such as work- ing in the welding shop. “Learn your job; work it like a job. I mean get up, be ready to go to work. Work your job like it’s a job out here. Treat your boss with respect,” he suggested. Vince goes on to recommend, “For them [to] get all the training that they can on the inside and find a job out here that does the same thing.” For life after incarceration, Frank, a 31-year-old white man who was incarcerated for two years, suggested taking advantage of workshops that are available through programs, like drug courts. Frank, who took a course on how to write a resume, explained, “It’s a three-week class, but they teach you how to make a resume. They teach you how to put your lived experiences on the streets into a resume and it comes out beautifully. So, I signed up for it, and I would probably just suggest look because there are those programs.” Findings

“What advice for finding and keeping a job would you give to individuals who are incarcerated?” This is their advice.

Methods To learn more about how to be successful in employ- ment after incarceration, researchers conducted a study at a second chance employer in Washington state between January and March of 2020. Researchers conducted quali- tative, face-to-face interviews and a short survey with 20

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Photo illustration opposite page: Background: istock/dim4ik-69; door illustration: istock/Ralwel

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