Many inmates in rural areas remain unprepared to obtain employment after incarceration because of the limited access to preparatory and reentry programs. After prison, these ex-offenders lack the vocational and educational resources required to obtain viable employment and struggle with their employability. Research has established that the lack…

Re-entering society after incarceration presents a formidable set of challenges. In addition to reconnecting with family and community, successful transition after imprisonment requires a person not only to avoid criminal activity, but also to obtain and sustain employment--or continue along an education pathway. Those best able to navigate this…

The recent health crisis -- and unprecedented, rapid job loss associated with it -- has illuminated how unprepared the United States is for helping workers who lose their jobs reskill to prepare for and successfully enter new employment. Policy responses to the current crisis -- while critical -- have fallen far short of addressing challenges…

Acquiring a job after incarceration is a perpetual challenge for ex-offenders. With nearly 95% of incarcerated individuals eventually returning to communities, the effort to understand and maintain employment and self-sufficiency may be a critical component of success. The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine the career thoughts of…