Corrections_Today_September_October_2020_Vol.82_No.5

n Employment

because what if you’re not making much money but your insurance is great. And always ask if there is room for growth and if they offer any school reimbursement.” While many have not considered it before, now is the time to think about the future. Mary explains that at her place of employment she was “able to start saving for retirement and all that kind of stuff, which I’m sure that a lot of people that were in the criminal justice system those are not things that any of us ever did in the past. We were not ever planning for our futures; we were living day to day, just getting by, so it’s really nice to have those opportunities.” While finding a job may require a lot of determination and dedication, keeping that job once you are hired comes with its own challenges. One of the most important pieces of advice given by respondents was “show up and be on time.” Although that may seem straightforward, indi- viduals reentering the workforce after incarceration can have a harder time adjusting to a new environment and routine which at times can be discouraging. Debra said, “Go to work even if you don’t understand it, just show up because eventually something is going to trigger but Keeping a job Show up and be on time

you have to be there.” Showing up to work consistently despite the challenges is an important step in maintaining stability. When asked about her experience, Astor re- called, “I was really nervous because it’s literally my first job in my entire life, so being able to be micromanaged or told what to do and worrying about messing up on your first day because you have no idea what you’re doing. I was in drug court. My challenges were taking an Uber or the bus and worrying if I can go to work and make it to drug court on time.” George, a 43-year-old white male who was incarcerated for eight years, explained that “there’s nothing harder than starting to get on your feet, and then you get garnished and you have a setback. There’s always things that happen in life that make it discouraging. ” Learn to communicate Another piece of advice respondents gave was that having open and effective communication with your supervisors about your needs could make it easier to keep your job. For example, being upfront about any appointments or legal obligations can make it easier for employers to make accommodations. Dexter, a 41-year- old white man who was incarcerated for five years, said that you should “be honest and open about what’s going on in your life, so that they know if you need some flex- ibility, they have the opportunity to provide that to you.”

Balancing legal obligations and work responsibilities can be difficult to ac- complish without clear communication with your employer. Norma, a 47-year- old white woman who was incarcerated for over five years, stated that main- taining an open line of communication with her employer helps to show them that, “I’m not trying to not be at work.” Once your foot is in the door, give it your all In addition to being punctual and showing up to work consistently, respondents advised that it is impor- tant to show your employers your value. “Once you get your foot in the door, shine. Show them everything you have to give,” advised Breonna,

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42 — September/October 2020 Corrections Today