Thursday, February 28, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
EMPLOYMENT REDUCES RECIDIVISM
When Mike was incarcerated, he often thought about life on the “outside” after his release. What would it be like? It sure couldn’t be what he’d experienced before—the mean streets, the wrong people—all that had to be left behind, but how to do it? After his release, Mike was lured by the usual demons and struggled through many frustrations as he tried to figure things out. He sought assistance at the McKees Rocks Employment & Training Center (ETC) and ultimately found a job with their help. Six months later he landed an even better job with a lead from the ETC. Mike’s story illustrates how meaningful employment can help to keep ex-offenders from going back to jail.
The dismal statistics on recidivism in the U.S. (as high as 78%, depending on the offense) are due in great measure to young men like Mike getting back into trouble within the first year following their release. According to Scott Albert, president of the Albert Institute, a workforce agency that serves the reentry community in Pittsburgh, “Stable employment that pays a fair wage has the most significant impact on curbing recidivist behaviors.” The data from several recent studies back him up.
In the interest of sharing important information on best practices on the reentry of ex-offenders into society, Mr. Albert’s organization has put together a “virtual conference,” the kickoff event for which is on March 8. Called “Spring Into Reentry,” the program features three live webinars, a radio program, and a special on-site training, along with several pre-recorded webinars. National experts from the world of reentry and criminal justice will hold forth on various initiatives, and a panel of employers will discuss giving ex-offenders a second chance, why they are willing to, and what they look for when doing so.
This last group is particularly unique and interesting, due to the fact that without second-chance employers, there would be no second-chance jobs for the formerly incarcerated. Few workforce professionals have a better track record of developing relationships with these types of employers than Mr. Albert. His organization has been on the cutting edge in workforce-reentry initiatives in the Pittsburgh area for the past several years.
This spring’s virtual conference is well timed: With the cancellation of the DOWD Conference, the reentry field finds itself in need of professional development opportunities—opportunities to share information among the community. This virtual conference won’t fill the entire professional development void left by the loss of DOWD, but it offers a great deal of content via its mixed media format. With a wider dissemination of important content, the field can better go about the business of helping more ex-offenders like Mike.
When it comes to the impact that reentry-workforce services had on his life, Mike says: “If it weren’t for meeting Scott and getting that first job, who knows where I’d be.”
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The Albert Institute, LLC offers comprehensive workforce development services to businesses, local organizations and job seekers. Primary activities include day-to-day management of neighborhood career centers, training for career counselors & educators and coordination of networking activities for like-minded business professionals.
Career counselors, educators, probation officers and all those professionals helping others secure employment can learn about unique webinar and training opportunities at www.thealbertinstitute.com.
The dismal statistics on recidivism in the U.S. (as high as 78%, depending on the offense) are due in great measure to young men like Mike getting back into trouble within the first year following their release. According to Scott Albert, president of the Albert Institute, a workforce agency that serves the reentry community in Pittsburgh, “Stable employment that pays a fair wage has the most significant impact on curbing recidivist behaviors.” The data from several recent studies back him up.
In the interest of sharing important information on best practices on the reentry of ex-offenders into society, Mr. Albert’s organization has put together a “virtual conference,” the kickoff event for which is on March 8. Called “Spring Into Reentry,” the program features three live webinars, a radio program, and a special on-site training, along with several pre-recorded webinars. National experts from the world of reentry and criminal justice will hold forth on various initiatives, and a panel of employers will discuss giving ex-offenders a second chance, why they are willing to, and what they look for when doing so.
This last group is particularly unique and interesting, due to the fact that without second-chance employers, there would be no second-chance jobs for the formerly incarcerated. Few workforce professionals have a better track record of developing relationships with these types of employers than Mr. Albert. His organization has been on the cutting edge in workforce-reentry initiatives in the Pittsburgh area for the past several years.
This spring’s virtual conference is well timed: With the cancellation of the DOWD Conference, the reentry field finds itself in need of professional development opportunities—opportunities to share information among the community. This virtual conference won’t fill the entire professional development void left by the loss of DOWD, but it offers a great deal of content via its mixed media format. With a wider dissemination of important content, the field can better go about the business of helping more ex-offenders like Mike.
When it comes to the impact that reentry-workforce services had on his life, Mike says: “If it weren’t for meeting Scott and getting that first job, who knows where I’d be.”
###
The Albert Institute, LLC offers comprehensive workforce development services to businesses, local organizations and job seekers. Primary activities include day-to-day management of neighborhood career centers, training for career counselors & educators and coordination of networking activities for like-minded business professionals.
Career counselors, educators, probation officers and all those professionals helping others secure employment can learn about unique webinar and training opportunities at www.thealbertinstitute.com.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Ex-Offender Employment
The topic of ex-offender employment is so interesting to me because this is such a problem for America right now, and I think most people overlook its significance. Data shows that 1 out of every 100 Americans is currently in prison or jail. I believe I also read someplace that 1 out of 15 Americans will have an encounter with the criminal justice system. Think about that! Those numbers are absurd. If trends continue and employers do not change their ‘mindset’ about hiring an ex-offender, their talent pool will continue to shrink. We probably all hear the same thing from employers every day, “I cannot find people who want to work or who have the skills I’m looking for.” Meanwhile, there is an untapped skill set releasing from prison to the tune of about a half million workers per year.
At the same time, I constantly meet guys during pre-release who have remarkable skills and years of experience, but have never worked outside of the prison setting. The disconnect that exists between these potential workers and private sector employers is staggering. My young urban males, in particular, have no clue how to tap into, get along in or adapt to work in the private sector. It creates a total disenfranchisement.
At the same time, I constantly meet guys during pre-release who have remarkable skills and years of experience, but have never worked outside of the prison setting. The disconnect that exists between these potential workers and private sector employers is staggering. My young urban males, in particular, have no clue how to tap into, get along in or adapt to work in the private sector. It creates a total disenfranchisement.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Now Hiring Ex-Offenders!
Over 2 million people are currently incarcerated in the United States. Over 5 million are currently on probation or parole. In total, more than 3% of the United States’ adult population is currently under correctional supervision.
The criminal justice system faces significant challenges addressing a near 70% recidivism rate while managing an influx of first-time offenders. Men and women released from prison face significant challenges in their efforts to secure employment, housing and other essential daily needs.
Budgets for supportive services are shrinking making it near impossible for criminal justice, social work, education and related professionals to connect, share best practices and confer about strategies to help men and women successfully reintegrate.
Beginning March 8, 2013, The Albert Institute LLC and its partners will host: Spring Into Reentry Virtual Conference. This conference offers a completely unique and extremely affordable option to help professionals connect!
Highlights include…
- A low cost series of webinars featuring national experts and supportive employers
- Free pre-recorded webinar sessions that cover innovative reentry approaches
- A half hour radio program featuring reentry experts discussing the importance of employment
- An Offender Employment Specialist (OES) training offered by US Probation in Western Pennsylvania
It all starts March 8th!
Seating for some sessions is limited so register today! Visit www.thealbertinstitute.com for full details and registration information.
The criminal justice system faces significant challenges addressing a near 70% recidivism rate while managing an influx of first-time offenders. Men and women released from prison face significant challenges in their efforts to secure employment, housing and other essential daily needs.
Budgets for supportive services are shrinking making it near impossible for criminal justice, social work, education and related professionals to connect, share best practices and confer about strategies to help men and women successfully reintegrate.
Beginning March 8, 2013, The Albert Institute LLC and its partners will host: Spring Into Reentry Virtual Conference. This conference offers a completely unique and extremely affordable option to help professionals connect!
Highlights include…
- A low cost series of webinars featuring national experts and supportive employers
- Free pre-recorded webinar sessions that cover innovative reentry approaches
- A half hour radio program featuring reentry experts discussing the importance of employment
- An Offender Employment Specialist (OES) training offered by US Probation in Western Pennsylvania
It all starts March 8th!
Seating for some sessions is limited so register today! Visit www.thealbertinstitute.com for full details and registration information.
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