For decades, most states have made a practice of giving citizens returning from prison or jail a small amount of money, called "gate money," to cover the cost of transportation and other immediate needs. Many legislatures have considered increasing the dollar amount of their cash assistance and offering this kind of support more widely.…

Potential relationships of incarcerated adult participation in basic correctional education with recidivism seldom receive analysis in largescale datasets. Though 95% of incarcerated adults reenter communities when released, recidivism is higher for adults with low skills. This paper presents new Programme for the International Assessment of Adult…

This study aimed to determine the learning patterns and experiences of incarcerated adults within correctional settings and how their prison learning transforms their lives after they are released. In this qualitative research, semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain the opinions of eight formerly incarcerated people who experienced…

This study evaluates cross-sectional data from 9 years of the "INTUIT: Work and Careers" intervention (N = 491), a program for female offenders in reentry. Of several measures used, participants showed increases on the five career decision-making self-efficacy factors assessed by the "Career Decision Making Self-Efficacy Short Form…

As the overwhelming majority of those in U.S. prisons will rejoin society, it is imperative to prepare individuals to transition with effective rehabilitative programs. This paper analyzes the 2012/2014 U.S. Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) data because literacy and numeracy skills are designated as the key…

As society increasingly relies on digital technologies in many different aspects, those who lack relevant access and skills are lagging increasingly behind. Among the underserved groups disproportionately affected by the digital divide are women who are transitioning from incarceration and seeking to reenter the workforce outside the carceral…

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 relationship between community employment and decreased likelihood of reoffending has been widely supported. Much remains to be known, however, about the specific aspects of community employment that promote offenders' successful reintegration into the community post-incarceration. In the present study, we used qualitative inquiry to explore…

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…

The sharp rise in U.S. incarceration rates has heightened long-standing concerns among scholars and policymakers that lengthy incarceration permanently harms the future labor market outcomes of prisoners. If true, then lengthy prison sentences will not only punish criminals for crimes committed, but will also make it far more difficult for…

The Second Chance Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-199) represented a historic piece of legislation designed to improve outcomes for and provide a comprehensive response to the increasing number of individuals who are released from prisons, jails, and juvenile residential facilities, and returning to communities upon release. The Second Chance Act's…

More than 2 million people are incarcerated in the United States, and around 700,000 are released from prison each year. Those who are released face daunting obstacles as they seek to reenter their communities, and rates of recidivism are high. Many experts believe that stable employment is critical to a successful transition from prison to the…

More than 2 million people are incarcerated in the United States, and around 700,000 are released from prison each year. Those who are released face daunting obstacles as they seek to reenter their communities, and rates of recidivism are high. Many experts believe that stable employment is critical to a successful transition from prison to the…