Now that's what employers like to see....

A follow up to my earlier post about employment searches slowing down  during the holidays:  I stand corrected.

Last Thursday, while trudging on barely-plowed streets to my local Best Buy, I ran into Lorena, a woman in her early 30s.  As holiday shoppers sped past, she was braving the elements (and some very reckless driving) to walk to a job interview.   It had taken her over an hour by bus just to get here from her home in Maryland.  This was only a few days after a huge snowstorm had passed through the DC area, and to say we were still digging out is putting it lightly.  Even at this point, it seems like it may be Spring before we see some local road surfaces again.

Anyway.... the office where Lorena was heading was still several blocks and numerous snowdrifts away.  At the last minute, some thoughtful car salesmen at a local dealership also pointed out the address she wanted was  across a sixth-lane highway.  Unfazed, Lorena insisted she was  determined not to miss this chance.  "When the employer called, I was so excited I just said yes, I'd come as soon as she could see me," she said.  "That was three hours ago and I still can't believe I made it."

I wished her good luck as she hurried on her way.  I really hope she gets the job.

I'd hire her on determination alone.

Gearing up for the New Year

No, this is not going to be a post about New Year's resolutions.  I'll give you a few more days before that.  But in preparation, I wanted to mention Dr. Richard S. Sandor's brilliant book "Thinking Simply About Addiction.   Loyal readers know I'm not one for plugging authors on this blog, but after devouring this gem, and marking passages and pages throughout, I couldn't resist.

And by the way, this book isn't just for those with addictions to drugs or alcohol.  There's some wisdom in here that's applicable to anyone trying to start fresh and resist falling into old patterns of behavior.

Dr. Sandor is  a psychiatrist who's worked with drug addicts and alcoholics for more than 25 years.  He believes addiction is a disease, but not in the way you'd expect.  It makes an unhealthy or compulsive behavior automatic -- an automatism is the word he uses.  This can't be cured or reversed -- if you find that once you start doing a behavior you can't stop, that won't change.  But it can be made dormant, if  you put the work in-- and don't start up again.  It's a two-part recovery.

The big picture is this.  Long after stopping, long after withdrawal and craving have faded, something is still there ready and waiting to be awakened if it's given the opportunity.  An addiction never goes away.  Even after years of abstinence, the automatism is still there.  The solution is not starting again and that belongs in the realm of choice...."

So Sandor suggests being honest with yourself.  There are two reasons people relapse (and these, I might add are applicable to many kinds of  destructive behavior) : 1. They have forgotten the pain and costs,  and 2. They have gotten into such a state of emotional distress that they don't care.

Sound familiar? It should, as all sorts of risky behaviors can and do exert that pull on many of us.  Sandor believes the answer must be found in a spiritual awakening so that no matter how your life is going you retain the humility not to revert to old ways.  Yes, he acknowledges this is tough in our society, where the "capacity to quickly and effectively escape" feelings of pain, fear, boredom and other negative emotions "has never been greater.  And not just through drugs and alcohol -- gambling, eating, sex, exercise, gaming, shopping, thrill-seeking, stealing, etc. --  all these can blot out feelings.

But change is possible. The key, and an idea I like, is the importance of  accepting that suffering is part of the human experience and that it has meaning.  Setbacks can make you stronger, wiser and a better person.  As Sandor notes, attempts to avoid suffering are at best a short-term fix.  "Like it or not, suffering really is inescapable and in time, what was at first an easy way out stops working.  When you begin to understand that suffering is not only inevitable, says Sandor, "but essential for discovering the purpose of human life and consciousness," then you've "begun to move forward from mere abstinence (not engaging in the negative behavior) to true recovery."

Thoughts?  Comments?  Anyone have a strategy that's helped you stay on a positive path?

What are you doing over the holidays?

As hiring activity slows down for the holidays, it's okay to give yourself a break.  Enjoying time with family and friends can actually help you recharge.  It's also a good opportunity to tinker with your job-search strategy so that you can start out fresh in the New Year.  Here are some suggestions: 

1. Fine-tune your pitch.   Employers are deluged with resumes. Now more than ever you need to make yours not only stand out -- but target the specific job you're going after.  Two great articles here and here show what works and what doesn't as far as resumes are concerned.  It's also a good time to go over what you're saying in interviews.  What's your sales pitch?  Why should someone hire you and why?  

2.  Remind people that you are looking for work.  Just because the holidays have slowed things down doesn't mean you're not still looking.  Remember, the majority of jobs come through someone you know, so as you're out and about celebrating keep spreading the word.

3. Update your list of potential employers.  Have you closed the loop on pending hiring decisions or the status of job openings?   If you haven't added any new employers to the list lately perhaps now's the time.  Is there anyone who told you to call back in a few months that you haven't followed up on?  If so, do it now.

4. Take advantage of public resources.  More people out shopping means shorter waits at places like one-stop centers or employment agencies.  Use the quiet time between Christmas and New Years to get a head start on your search going forward.

5. Get in touch when things are slow.   That week between Christmas and New Years can often be a good time to connect with employers or hard-to-reach contacts as things are typically slow and many use that time to catch up.

Employers who hire ex-offenders

I'm always happy to see when companies come out and talk about hiring ex-offenders.  Not only does it take some of the stigma away, but it gives hope to many who fear most doors are closed to them.   Johns Hopkins recently joined the ranks of organizations walking the talk in this editorial in the Baltimore Sun.

Since 2000, Johns Hopkins Hospital has hired more than 450 former felons, and does a great job saying why this is a good policy:

 Focusing on ex-offenders in a time of high unemployment may strike some as misguided, but we disagree. As an anchor institution in East Baltimore, we must provide stability to our entire community, and keeping ex-offenders employed clearly benefits the community. In the long term, the health-care field will see its staffing needs continue to grow; we cannot meet those needs if we write off a large section of the population.

The medical center's disclosure  prompted this follow-up article which names even more employers who along with Hopkins, came to the MCIW, the state women's prison to interview women soon-to-be released for jobs, including:

Safeway, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Uptown Press, cdm eCycling, I Hop Restaurant, Harbor City Services, Inc., Baltimore City, Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake and Mary Kay Cosmetics.

Any others we want to add to this list?

Transitions and transformations....

                                                    
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."        

----    William Morrow

This quote made me think of someone I've been working with.  She's going to be released next week and we met for the last time today.  

As we talked in a small visitor's room,  I could see two other women being processed into the jail.  The deputies told them to put their money, their bras and other belongings in plastic bags.  One girl stood nervous and mute in a faded sweater and jeans, another, a redhead, sat in a corner chair doing her best to seem in control.  She bantered with the deputy up to the point where she almost got in trouble, wished another lady a cheerful good luck as she was sent to her cell, and generally carried on like she was at a party.

It made me realize how far the young woman sitting across from me had come.  She's spent nearly two years in detention here at an age when many people are still trying to figure out what they're going to do with their lives. She's been shamed, treated well, treated badly, endured discomfort and disappointments and even some happy moments, but most importantly when you talk to her you can tell she's learned -- a lot about the world and herself. I've seen it in the way she's reacted to setbacks and how focused she's become about her future -- and how realistic.  She knows she faces challenges.  She knows she has a lot of work to do and tough times ahead.  But she also has a plan.  Multiple plans, in case one doesn't work out. She's done the research, asked the questions.  She has  family and friends to support and inspire her (and realizes how fortunate that makes her). She also  has a list of agencies and people she's met along the way who are willing to help and she plans to take advantage of it. 

But most importantly, she seems to have the inner resources and the attitude to move forward with her life now.

I wish her -- and everyone in her position -- the best of luck.  Change never happens overnight, but it is possible.  And it's wonderful  to see the transformation.

How much do tax credits for employers help?

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal looked at whether the tax credits being proposed by President Obama will actually spur hiring.  Since employers make their hiring decisions based on business needs, there are questions as to whether these offsets would lure anyone who wasn't already planning on hiring.  As one employer noted: 

"Giving me a tax credit if I hire somebody? That's not a really big incentive for me," said Mark Sincavage of Sincavage Corp., a Blakeslee, Pa., commercial excavation company that employs four. "We need customers in the door."

Mr. Sincavage, who has laid off two workers during the downturn, said a credit of $3,000 -- the number he expects -- won't help if he can't come up with the rest of a new employee's salary.

It got me thinking about the tax credit employers receive if they hire ex-offenders.  Under current law, companies are entitled to shave $2,400 off their federal  tax bill in return for employing certain targeted groups of job seekers, which include former felons. A handful of states ,as noted here offer additional credits.   But most re-entry professionals I've talked to,say these credits on their own aren't much of a selling point.  As OAR's Nathaniel Harris( who talked about what employers are looking for  in an earlier post ) noted, "It's nice that it (the credit) is there, but it really doesn't help unless they were planning to hire the worker already."

How about the rest of you?  Has anyone had success using the employer tax credit as a selling point?  At what point do you bring it up?

What a Career One-Stop center can do for you

This week I  got a chance to visit the local Career One-Stop employment center  in Falls Church, VA.  It's one of the first places we recommend to ex-offenders, since these federally funded centers -- which are located in all 50 states -- offer a variety of services to help jobseekers.  I've spoken to the staff there on several occasions, but never seen the offices myself.  Fortunately, I had Manager Trang Montgomery as my guide, so I was able to get plenty of questions answered.

What can career one-stops do for ex-offenders?  Can they find me a job?

It's important to understand that these one-stop centers were set up by the U.S. Department of Labor to serve all people looking for work.  Shelves on one wall hold information for people returning to the workforce, laid off workers, young workers and even people looking to start their own business, so they don't specialize in ex-offenders or any kind of jobseeker.  ""It's important to have the right expectations when you come in," Montgomery  says. "We don't want people to get disappointed. We can't just make a call and get you work. But we can help you in your search and provide the resources."

What resources does the center provide?

The center has three counselors on staff who can answer your questions and assist you in your job search.  There are also workshops on such things as resume writing,  interviewing and  filling out an online application, as well as information about job fairs and other employment-related events.  The office itself has the feel of a library.  It's got desks, tables and a quiet corner stocked full of books, research materials and other information on jobs, training, educational programs and finding employment. I counted at least 12 computers, including one offering special access for the disabled. You can reserve computer time by signing up at the front desk. When I got there at 10:30 and most of the computers were being used, but at that point at there were only a couple of names on the waiting list. There are also copiers and a fax machine that can be used free of  charge for job-related tasks.

Do I need an appointment? 

The center is open M-F from 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. and you're free to just walk in.  There's a receptionist out front to assist you with questions, and there are computer terminals immediately to the left where you can enter your name and information as well as the services you are interested in.  If you'd like to see a counselor you are required to sign up for an appointment -- these are first-come, first-served and based on availability.  If you show up at 2:00 and there's already a long waiting list, it's unlikely you'll be able to see someone that day.  More intensive counseling is available on a limited basis, but typically only for low-income individuals and Montgomery notes there's a long wait to see a caseworker.

You are welcome to stay at the office as long as you want for research and job-related activities, including using the phones for setting up interviews, printing out resumes and making copies, even faxing information to employers. The only requirement is that you conduct yourself as you would in any business environment and are respectful of the other jobseekers there.

Are there places where I can get more in-depth counseling from someone who understands the challenges faced by people with criminal records?

Yes.   OAR and other community-based groups that work specifically with ex-offenders, are often the best place to start, notes Montgomery.  These organizations are more likely to have the funding to work with you in depth.  In Northern, VA, for example, OAR conducts workshops and will assign you a caseworker to assist you in your employment search.  These groups often have contacts with sympathetic employers who will give you a chance.   That said, it still pays to cast a wide net, which makes stopping by a Career One Stop center a good idea.  Through Virginia-based Skillsource, which runs the center, there is an Offender Transition Initiative, which works with employers to find workers seeking a second chance. 

Can the Career One-Stop provide me with a list  of employers who hire ex-offenders? 

Yes and no.  While walking around the office, I did in fact, find a handout featuring employers who have hired ex-offenders.  But Montgomery recommended caution in relying on it.  First, just because a company was open to hiring one ex-offender doesn't mean they make a practice of it.  Second, these lists can become quickly outdated.  It's better for you to work on getting an employer interested in you for your skills first and then hopefully the business owner will be willing to overlook your background.

I'm looking to start my own business.  Is there any assistance the center can give me?

Yes.  Counselors can point you to resources you in setting up as small business.  In fact, a new program being piloted by the U.S. Department of Labor works specifically with budding entrepreneurs.  To qualify you must be at least 45 years old and have a business idea.  If you are selected for the program, which is done randomly to meet federal requirements, you will receive assistance developing your business plan, learning about regulations and obtaining licenses to start your business. So far 35 people have gone through the program and a handful have developed successful businesses.  One of them, according to Montgomery, was an ex-offender.

I tried one of these places before, but got nowhere.  Why should I bother?

Finding a job is a numbers game and it's largely about persistence, whatever your background.  The more people who know you're looking, the better your chances.  So why not give it a shot. What have you got to lose?

Tis the season for employment agency scams

I answered this question recently on another forum and thought it was worth revisiting here:

Q: Has anyone ever heard of the company called E1 Employment Services? They place ads for jobs in local papers but have a $185 fee for you to get a job through them. Is this a legit company? I called the number today for a job listed in distribution and the lady told me to come in tomorrow with a money order or credit card to sign up with them. She explained that this was a 1 year fee and that is all I pay. They guarantee they will find me a job in my field. She also told me if I wanted to donate some non-perishable food items, they would deduct $10 off my fee. What do you think? Should I try this or does it sound like a scam to you?   Zachlarry in Gray, Maine.

A:  I'm not familiar with this particular company, but I'd steer clear.   Guarantee or no, you should never pay employment agencies to get you work.  These firms are typically  paid by the companies that are hiring.  But just to be sure I checked with Barry Asin, president of Staffing Industry Analysts, which follows the employment placement industry.  Asin said he has no doubt that there are going to be "fly-by-night companies out there preying on desperate individuals now and that this sounds like one of them.  "No legitimate staffing firm out there is asking individuals for money to place them," he said.  The same thing goes for companies that say they can find you a job if you have a record.  So if a business agency wants money first, just say no.  You'd be better off revisiting your local one-stop career center or community agencies in your area.  You can check them out here.    This article also offers a good run-down on scams to avoid. 

Anyone out there have a different experience?

And what are you thankful for?

I'm thankful for stories like this one that demonstrate that sometimes things do work out and people do get second chances.  Mario Rocha served 10 years  in prison for a  murder he didn't commit, but got out in 2006. Three years later, he's a freshman at  George Washington University studying writing. 

I'm thankful that in his case people like sister Sister Janet Harris who discovered his talent in the juvenile hall writing program and  doubted he was a killer. Ditto  the attorneys at Latham and Watkins who worked on  his appeal pro bono and were open-minded enough to understand a conviction doesn't make someone "bad."

I'm thankful that there are people working in re-entry programs like OAR, and  in community service or addiction treatment to help people get back on their feet again. I'm also thankful that there are business owners who need good employees and are willing to give someone with a record a second chance.

And I'm supremely thankful that so many of the ex-offenders I've worked with have been willing to take responsibility for their pasts and do the truly hard work to turn their lives around.  It's been inspiring to see the changes people have made in their lives.  And I know I'll see much more.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Expungement alert: more seeking to wipe out convictions

If  you've every considered trying to get an expungement, you might want to check out this article in today's Wall Street Journal.   Apparently, a tough job market combined with the fact that the vast majority of exmployers now do background checks  is prompting more ex-offenders to try to clear their records.

I'm still not sure I'd recommend this route, unless you've got the most minor of convictions and were charged in a more lenient state.  (You can check out the rules for your jurisdiction here ).  As the author rightly points out, sometimes even after you go through all the hassle and cost to get your record cleared, employers can find out about it  in other ways: through  arrest records, police reports, news stories and even, sadly, Google. 

That said, the article contains some data worth remembering:

 Background checks have become more commonplace in the years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and cheaper. More than 80% of companies performed such checks in 2006, compared with fewer than 50% in 1998, according to the Society for Human Resource Management, an association of HR professionals.

And this: 

Even 10 years ago, background checks tended to be cursory or expensive. Now, database providers can quickly access information from the country's approximately 3,100 court jurisdictions, charging $10 or less for simple checks.

There's another great reminder in the piece about why honesty about your record -- as painful as it is, and no matter how long it's been -- is still the best policy. One man, arrested more than 20 years  ago on a questionable assault charge, didn't disclose this on his application and was denied work after his record was discovered in a background check.

"If someone has a criminal history, we can work with them," said the company's general counsel Mike. Lehman. "But if they have one and lie to us, that's pretty ominous."

What's most interesting to me: the  fact this issue has come to front burner precisely because people who have been working for years -- some  at jobs they got  before background checks were so universal  -- are only now finding their records coming back to haunt them. That these are ex-offenders with steady work records, who really have put their pasts behind them and lived productively until the economy tanked, could be good news.  It shows that people can change and could lead to greater sympathy and reform.
Not unlike the renewed focus on discrimination that I wrote about here.  As a side note, it's interesting the WSJ poll seems to be running 2 to 1  in support of non-violent ex-offenders being granted expungements.

What do you all think?

Reining in background checks

Given that Americans tend to go for extremes, you knew tons of people would have to have their job prospects quashed by employment background checks before something would change.

Now it appears we might be getting close to that point. Why? Ten percent unemployment means more people looking for work and finding that even arrests or convictions far in the past can come back to haunt them.  Some recent articles (here , here and here), plus conversations I've had with legal and regulatory folks suggest that sympathy may be tilting towards the re-entering job seekers.. 

The EEOC, for example,  is "much more interested in focusing on the effect of criminal records on employment," says EEOC assistant counsel Carol Miaskoff. "To the extent that issues are front burner here (at the agency)," she continues, " this one is." So far this year, the agency has brought two major cases:

• On March 26, the EEOC settled a case against Franke Foodservice in which the company had not hired a black applicant who disclosed a felony conviction on his record even though it hired a white applicant who made a similar disclosure a year earlier. 
• More recently, on October 1, the EEOC filed a case against Freeman Companies, a Baltimore-based events and convention planner, charging that the company had engaged in "a pattern or practice of unlawful discrimination by refusing to hire a class of black, Hispanic or male applicants across the United States.

Civil rights law doesn't specifically protect people with criminal records, of course. But the  EEOC has found that policies that exclude individuals based on arrests and convictions that have nothing to do with the job may have a disparate impact on certain populations and therefore constitute discrimination.  So in the Freeman Companies case, for example,  barring people with criminal records from employment was determined to be illegal as it would have more impact on blacks and Hispanics.

Miaskoff was barred from talking about ongoing investigations, but emphasized the if there is proof of systemic discrimination the agency isn't afraid to pursue it. While ex-offenders shouldn't get their hopes up, because these things take awhile, this is not "fantasy."

The EEOC is currently working on new guidelines for employers, as a follow-up to a meeting late last year.
Gabrielle Delagueronniere with the  Legal Action Center in Washington, DC. also recommends individuals encountering discrimination check with the specific laws in the city of state where they live.  Some states such as New York and Wisconsin specifically ban discrimination  based solely on a criminal record, except in cases where the charge is substantially related to the job. For more information check out LAC website, or regulations in your state here.

On the legislative front...

From thecrimereport.org comes news  that Sen. Jim Webb's bill to set  up a  national commission on criminal justice reform has been redrafted.  It could be taken up again by the Senate Judiciary Committee as early as tomorrow.  Apparently, there had been complaints the measure didn't have enough state and local representation on the panel.  That's been corrected as noted here.

Meanwhile, the folks at the Legal Action Center tell me that work is afoot to ensure that the The Second Chance Act of 2008  is definitely renewed after it's three-year authorization runs out.  Attorneys, advocates, legislators and other interested parties are evaluating what, if any, changes need to be made to make the bill more effective.  The Second Chance Act provides $165 million to fund education, treatment and  re-entry services for ex-offenders.  Awards have been announced throughout the country, but local agencies and non-profits must wait until Congress has authorized the budget before the monies will be released.

As to other legislation:  Sen. Charles Rangel's two bills on expungement and returning voting rights to former offenders are again unlikely to see any activity in this year's session.

Goal setting for people who hate to plan

At the beginning of the employability  course I teach, we always work through a section on setting short and long-term goals. 

It makes sense.  You're not going to accomplish anything without a plan to get there, right?

Trouble is, more than half of the class typically balks at this exercise. I don't know how this compares to the general poplation, but among offenders I've worked with -- getting those goals down and then following through can be a challenge.

"It just  so overwhelming. I put down all these ideas, then I  don't know where to begin."

"Writing down your dreams is depressing.  What if you fail?

"What good is it to make goals if you don't know the steps to reach them?"

And those are just the comments students have made aloud.

These concerns are understandable. Particularly when you consider that people who get in trouble often wrestle with goal-thwarting behaviors like impulsivity, substance abuse, dishonesty or the need for instant gratification. Making a list, being systematic and having  patience can be a lot of work.  And not just for ex-offenders, by the way.  As someone who has struggled with this personally, I'm well aware of all the tricks the mind can play when it comes to not doing what you set out to do.

So in this post, I've tried to lay out some goal-setting tips to help even the most reluctant achiever stay on track:     

1. Write down your dreams . . .
 I'd like to tell you that you can get around having to writing about what you want to do in life -- that if you just hold the idea  in your head you'll get there.  Unfortunately,  it doesn't work that way. You've got to get your thoughts down, somewhere, in some way so  that you can see them, acknowledge them, remember them and hold yourself accountable. As education recruiters at Spelman and Johnson Group in Eastham, MA have noted : A goal not written down is just a wish.

2. ....but do it your own way
Some people begin by listing their long-term goals --  things like working at their dream job, getting married and  having a family or saving a certain amount of money. Then they break each of these goals into the  individual steps it will take to achieve them. You, on the other hand,  might feel  more comfortable just writing in a journal about what you want to do. Once some goals emerge you can start breaking them down into individual actions from there.  Or maybe you're a more visual person, who likes to see all the options.  As one student said to me, "what if one goal falls through, where do I put my plan B?" This student felt more comfortable diagramming her goals in  a web so she could see how everything was connected.  That way if one option didn't pan out she could plot some alternatives.

So don't worry about format -- just get it down.

3. Take baby steps.
 Once you've have acknowledged what you want, the next step is to consider what you need to do to get it.. If your long-term goal is to be working as a healthcare technician, for example, some short-term steps might be to:

•  Find out what education/licensing  is required.
• Explore interim  jobs, perhaps in the industry.
• . Research grants and scholarships.
•  Talk to people who work in the industry to learn what they do.
•  Fill out an application for school.

Each step by itself might not seem like much.  This is a good thing. You can  tackle them one by one and feel a sense of accomplishment each time.  Rewarding yourself at each step in the process will keep you motivated and make it more likely that you'll reach your goal.  If you wait for the big payoff at the end, you're not only being unrealistic, but setting yourself up to get discouraged.  

4.  Let go of perfection.
No matter what you hope to achieve, not everything is going to go as planned.  A job you want could fall through.  Or you may start pursuing a path or interest only to later realize it doesn't work for you.  This is not failure, but part of the  process.  The key to keeping it from derailing you is a) realizing this is going to happen, and b) Try to identify and write down the obstacles you might encounter along the way beforehand.  This will help you think through alternative actions to take if a goal proves unrealistic or otherwise unattainable (as some goals do in everyone's life).

 For example, say your dream is to be a  medical technician.  Only in doing your research you discover that in your state, getting licensing with a felony might be difficult. Although this would be disappointing, if you've planned properly, you've also considered what other professions you might pursue if healthcare doesn't work. You've also saved yourself time and heartache by figuring this out early.  Instead of feeling like a failure, you can  use the setback to revise your plans and change direction.
 
5. Don't think. Act.

For many of us, it's easy to get stuck. Putting those goals down can take so much effort it may seem like it's time for a break.  Or there's so much to do, you're  overwhelmed or afraid to begin.  Or maybe you're so good at seeing that picture in your head, that you want to keep looking at it, or to keep revising it on paper until it's perfect.

Don't.  The purpose of goal-setting is to provide a plan of action.  So if you feel yourself getting lost in the dream or the details, just stop.  Go down your list and find something -- anything -- you can do.  And do it.  Right away.  Goal-setting guru Jill Koenig offers some great advice here on following through on your goals even if you don't feel like it.  According to her, if you take action now, the motivation will follow -, not the other way around.

So what are you waiting for?

Busy, busy....

Apologies that I've been unable to post as frequently.   I'm juggling a couple of writing projects and a young woman I'm mentoring will be released soon, so there's been alot going on.

Things should calm down by next week,though. Then  I hope to start visiting some  local reentry organizations  in the area and get a sense for what's on offer.  So stay tuned, keep at it and check back here soon.  I haven't forgotten you all.

In the meantime, I came across this great program they're trying in California that trains inmates as drug and alcohol counselors to help each other and themselves.  As the author notes:

"As many as 60-80 percent of the people in prison today are incarcerated due to alcohol or other drug-related legal problems. Addiction is one of the main reasons the recidivism rate is so high. Even those who begin their recovery behind bars are at high-risk for relapse upon release due to the stresses of new environments and other obstacles . . ."

Seems like a win-win to me -- a way to help offenders,  help themselves.  It's not surprising that a couple of inmates I've worked with have been very interested in getting into drug and alcohol counseling upon their release. This kind of constructive program could help them get some of the training they need.

Some great resources

   If you're interested in truck driving -- and a lot of my students have been -- this site  has some useful information about companies that are willing to hire ex-offenders.  It also spells out what felonies will  disqualify you.   It's written by a truck driver who really knows his stuff -- so he doesn't mess around when it comes to telling you what truck companies will put up with and what they won't. 

I also have to give a shout out to the Rethinking Reentry blog, which this  week  introduced me to my newest favorite website, the National Reentry Resource Center.  For the longest time I've been looking for a site that pulls together not only the best sources of help for ex-offenders, but also some of the best practices and best thinking about how to assist former felons in rebuilding their lives.   And now I've found it.  Check it out. 

See, it's not just you...

It might feel like it sometimes, but ex-offenders aren't the only ones having difficulty finding work in this economy. An article in today's Wall Street Journal explains how employers are increasingly reluctant to hire people who have been laid off more than once -- even if the recession is to blame. Apparently, the number of Americans who have lost their jobs twice in the past two years is not only growing, but "their ranks are larger than in past recessions."  What's more, adds job coach Jeffrey Garber,

"Those who have lost jobs twice recently will have to work twice as hard to convince the next employer why they ought to be hired there. Many businesses believe such individuals lack abilities and credibility rather than being victims of economic circumstance."

Just goes to show you that people can be stigmatized for something other than having a record -- and often have no choice but to take a job beneath their abilities.  One  poor woman they interviewed, who  started out as an HR exec at Circuit City, had to scramble recently to get an hourly administrative job. To me her story seems to illustrate more how short-sighted some employers can be.  Given that Circuit City went belly-up and the her next company wasn't doing that well either, doesn't really seem to be her skills that are in question here.

But then, we know that what employers think isn't necessarily an accurate assessment of your abilities, anyway.  If there's anything worth taking away from this article it's some of the strategies suggested for second-time job losers, which could be just as useful for ex-offenders, imo.  You can check it out here.

Is a new identity the answer?

I recently received this question from a reader::

Q: My son has been out of prison for almost a year and a half.  In that time he has applied for jobs everywhere, fast food, construction, retail -- you name it --  but no one will hire him. Every time they do a background check his conviction comes up and he never hears from the people again.  And if he is honest on his application or in an interview, forget it!  No matter how much he tries to explain that he has changed it doesn't seem to work. And all this because of  this for one stupid mistake he made at 21 -- a mistake that HE HAS PAID FOR!   I don't know what he is going to do if he can't find something soon.   A friend of ours says he should get his social security number changed so his record will not come up in the background checks.  My son really wants to do it -- he is so desperate.   I feel we are running out of choices.  Does this even work without changing his name and if so, how can we do it?

A:  I'm really sorry you son is having such a difficult time.  It's a tough job market out there for everyone, and having a record only makes things harder.  I can sympathize with your son's frustration and understand why the idea of starting fresh would be appealing. 

Unfortunately, changing his social security number is unlikely to help him.  Although the government does give  new numbers in cases where  abuse, harassment or identity theft are involved, a) you have to prove it, and b) it can be costly since of your benefits are linked to your social security number. In addition, any new social security number would still be linked to the old one in federal records, which means your son's conviction would still come up in a background search as noted here.    

The only way your son is truly going to put his past behind him is by building a record of work experience and achievement going forward.  You don't mention his skills or  how much education he has, but while he continues to look for work this is where I'd focus. Whether he's looking at getting a college degree, training or certification, there are a variety of grants, scholarships and government financing that can make the cost of these programs affordable, as I've noted here.  If your son is interested in learning a trade like plumbing or being an electrician, apprenticeships offer the opportunity to be paid while he learns.

In the meantime, it might be worthwhile for him  to visit  a reentry organization near where you live, (you can look for one here) or  a One-stop Career Center. These places typically have counselors used to dealing with ex-offenders who might be able to help your son  with his resume or interview skills.  If you belong to a church, he might also consider volunteering there on community-related or other projects.  This would enable him to do something constructive and develop contacts who might be able to serve as references or help him find paid work.

I know this isn't necessarily the answer you were looking for, but I hope this helps. Good luck to you both and be sure and check back to let me know how you're doing.

How ex-offenders can beat a bad economy

   With six unemployed workers competing for every job opening in the U.S. right now,  ex-offenders are having an even harder time finding work. But as some employment experts reminded me recently, that's no excuse for giving up.  In fact, while you can't control the economy, there are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of getting that one employer to look beyond your record -- even in this market:

Manage your expectations. More applicants mean employers can be pickier and go for the cream of the crop. Yet  ex-offenders are still finding jobs, notes Marsha Enkerud, a manager with SkillsSource Employment Centers in Fairfax County, VA. "It's tough, but it's always tough," she adds, "the bigger problem is that the available jobs are not always jobs people want to take."  So instead of setting yourself up for disappointment, you have to come to terms with the fact that there will be some  jobs you can't get.  You may have to scale back your expectations about what  you "deserve" and think in simpler terms.  You need an income, you need a job that you can go out and do every day so you feel good about yourself, says Nathaniel Harris, job developer who works with ex-offenders at OAR Fairfax where I volunteer. "Even if you're flipping burgers, you're networking," he says.  "If  the manager likes what you're doing you never know where that will lead." 

Ask for help.  This isn't being weak, it's being smart. I've written before about the variety of resources out there that assist ex-offenders in getting back on their feet. The time to take advantage of this help is immediately upon your release, if not sooner. A good place to start is the National Hire Network, which  lists useful agencies and services by state. You'll be surprised how many people are willing to give you a hand, provided you're sincere about wanting to change. Organizations such as OAR often have intensive workshops as well as caseworkers who will help you with job search preparation. They can also usually assist with housing, regaining licenses and identification and referrals for other services you might need.

Do the hard work.   People will gladly give you guidance and information, but they won't hold your hand and do everything for you. They'll also lose patience quickly if you don't follow through.  If you don't show up on time and properly dressed for a work skills seminar, for example,  your caseworker is going to assume you'd do the same thing at a real job interview and be less likely to send you out to see an employer.  You have to make your job search your priority, which means coming up with a plan, contacting employers and keeping appointments.  You're not going to find work sitting home watching soap operas and dreaming of the better life. You've got to get busy.

Build for the future.   Criminal thinking is about the here and now, the need for  immediate gratification and immediate results.  To break that cycle, says Harris, you  have to start thinking a little bit in the future.  How can you make yourself more marketable?  Are there education or training opportunities you should consider to try to level out the disparity between the risk and barriers you might present to an employer vs. someone who doesn't have a record? What skills and experience can you get in one job that might lead to another position?  You can reach your goals, but you need to do it one step at a time.

Think small.   Even if you worked for a large organization in the past, it's better to focus on smaller firms, according to re-entry experts.  Smaller companies often have less formal hiring processes, they're also less likely to do the  background and credit checks that might immediately disqualify someone convicted of a felony; particularly in this economy.  You're also more likely to have a chance to make your case -- and a personal connection --  with at a small, privately-owned business, where the owner makes the hiring decisions.

Give yourself time.  Finding a job is going to take discipline and persistence. It will also take  time. The average job search now takes about 5 months according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can't expect everything to fall in place the first month you're out -- particularly when even people with advanced degrees and no criminal record are having a hard time. So set up a routine that you can keep at for awhile.  Then work to  develop your  support network and use it.  Follow up on job openings, see your employment counselor and remember  it's a numbers game. Keep at it long enough and the payoff will come.

How about you?  Any other tips on what has worked in your job search?  I'd love to hear them.

Statute of depravations

This blog is about helping people rebuild their lives after they've done their time.  So apologies as I digress into a mini-rant about someone who's yet to do his -- and probably won't if his friends have their way.  I'm talking about all the hand wringing over Roman Polanski , which btw is making me nuts!

I mean what's the controversy again?  Here's a guy who plead guilty to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl (note not  a 17-year-old who passed for 20) and then went on the lam for 31 years.  And now we're supposed to be up in arms that the Swiss have him and he might be extradited back to the U.S. for an "old" crime?  Or as others would have you believe, a non-crime. Please!  The idea that fellow directors like Scorsese and Woody I-Married-My-Adopted-Daughter Allen -- forget the French --  are supporting this guy would be laughable if statuatory rape weren't taken so seriously when someone not deemed a "great  auteur" commits it.

I don't know Mr. Polanski personally, but I think we can all agree that even good people make mistakes.  Talent doesn't stop us from doing bad things, unfortunately.  Nor should it excuse responsibility for them.  At least that's what other lawbreakers are told when they're forced to pay for their crimes.  Seems like it's high time for a certain director to man up, doesn't it?

What women want

                

Do women have a harder time rebuilding their lives after incarceration?  I've been wondering about this a lot lately.  Although I've taught both men and women, for the past several months I've been working primarily  with females -- and the myriad  issues these women face upon release is daunting.  Now before all you guys get on me for being sexist, I'm not saying male ex-offenders don't have it tough too.  Everybody who takes the course I teach  wants and needs to find a job, which isn't easy. But in my women's classes I've also had three students give birth while serving out their terms. Female offenders are more apt  to be single parents or sole-caregivers for children under 18.  They're also more likely than their male counterparts to have been abused, have problems with drug or  alchohol and suffer from mental illness, according to a National Justice Institute study.  On top of that women felons typically have fewer job skills and less work experience. 

Over at Prisontalk.com,  one of the best online communities out there for ex-offenders in terms of real life feedback,  there's a even a running discussion that addresses this topic.  As one poster put it: "Since men can do labor intensive jobs and most of these jobs are a little more forgiving when it comes to having a criminal history, they get more jobs. Most women work in a more structured environment, this tends to mean more corporate jobs, and they are much less forgiving of a criminal history. Unfortunately women are judged much harsher then men. It’s almost like a macho thing, real men are supposed to be bad get into trouble but not women. There are double standards."

So what does all this mean if you're a women trying to turn your life around?  Basically, that you're going to need to be even better prepared than a man  might be.  A 2002 report by the Safer Foundation came up with recommendations to improve the reentry process for women, but in the meantime there is still plenty you can do on your own, including:

1. Get  help early.   Ideally start when you're inside.  Take advantage of whatever educational opportunities you're offered.  Complete your GED.  Take classes. As strange as it sounds, a prison or jail-term often represents the first time some women have been  forced to focus just on themselves.  Use your lack of other responsibilities to work on improving  you.
2. Start building or rebuilding your support network now.  Keep in touch with people who offer positive reinforcement.  For one woman I worked with this was an old  friend who sent her inspirational sayings and a cellmate equally determined to change her life.  Get a mentor to help you get on track to realize future goals, or seek out someone from the prison ministry.  After your release be similarly selective in the company you keep.
3. Get your documents in order.  If you have family/attorney might be able to help you get started.  If not,  reentry and other community organizations are there to help you complete the process of gettting back licenses or helping start the paperwork to regain custody of your children once you've been released.
4. Get the treatment you need.  If you have substance abuse or mental health issues now is the time to deal with them.  As one former offender who got a job and went on to start her own business put it: " This should be your first priority. Period! If you have an addiction, get help. Nothing will screw up your future success faster than dope. If you go to work stoned, drunk or flying someone will notice. Bank on it!"
5. Take advantage of re-entry resources right away.  Many of these organizations require you to report within 24 hours of getting out in order to qualify for benefits such as job assistance and housing assistance, and other types of transitional help.
6. Be patient with yourself.  Women ex-offenders often must contend with everything from reestablishing a home and family life and ending destructive relationships to finding affordable housing, a job and a way to live.  And they must often do this while resisting falling back into addiction or bad habits and making sure they meet the obligations of their parole.  It's a tall order and there will be good and bad days.  Give yourself time as well a  permission not to be perfect.

Why training is still the answer for many ex-offenders

I was recently talking to a guy who'd served five years in state prison.  He'd been considering taking some computer courses after his release -- maybe even working towards an associate's degree -- but was afraid he'd be wasting his time. "They say get training, get more education," he said. "Then I hear from friends who've done this stuff and they still can't get jobs because nobody wants to hire someone with a record."

It's easy to get discouraged  -- particularly these days. Jobs keep disappearing and even college grads and seasoned professionals are struggling to find work. Factor in a felony conviction and it can seem like you've stepped up to the plate with three strikes already against you. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do everything you can to improve your chances. And while getting trained in new skills or going back to school won't guarantee you a job, here are 5 reasons it still might be your best strategy:

1. You'll make more money over the long term. People who have more education generally earn higher salaries and are less likely to be unemployed . According to the Department of Labor, the average weekly salary for a high school graduate is $595, compared to $721 if you have an associate's degree and $962 for 4-year college graduates -- and that's before this recession. Additionally, the unemployment rate for high school graduates is twice as high as the rate for college grads. With most new jobs requiring higher skill levels that gap is likely to grow even larger.

2. It's is a terrific way to start fresh. Every course or training session you sign up for marks a new beginning by virtue of the fact that you're there to learn something. Whether you're hoping to develop a new area of expertise or upgrade the skills you have, seeking out education demonstrates initiative, as well as a willingness to grow and change - key traits all employers look for. The classroom can also be more forgiving than the workplace when you're trying to get back in the groove. There are usually no barriers to entry and your performance is measured by what you do in the course, not what came before.

3. Classes may be more affordable than you think. As in free, in many cases. Your local One-Stop Career Centers regularly host ESL, basic skills and GED classes at no cost. You should also check with your state's department of rehabilitative services. These agencies often have subsidized courses in everything from computer repair to office administration and health care for people with mental or physical disabilities. In terms of technical schools and colleges, the Prisoner Reentry Institute published a great report last year that details educational opportunities, their costs and funding possibilities. If you're interested in pursuing a college degree you can qualify for the same loans as any other student, plus for Pell grants of up to $5,350 a year as long as you haven't had a drug conviction. And among the scholarships without those limitations is the recently announced Strive and Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation Scholarship, which is to be awared annually to an ex-offender who was convicted under New York's Rockefeller drug laws and wants to earn an arts degree.

4. Training can lead to contacts with potential employers, work experience and even jobs. Apprenticeship programs allow you to earn as you learn a trade such as plumbing welding or even something in the emerging industries like IT, energy or telecommunications. You can check out some of those opportunities here and here. Programs at community or technical colleges in fields such as dental hygiene or health care also require you to work in the field while earning your degree. Degrees at four-year colleges tend to be more subject-oriented than job specific, but internships are now standard practice. These experiences tend to be unpaid -- though they still provide opportunities to make the personal connections in your industry that could allow a potential employer to see around the record to the motivated and hardworking individual you are right now.

5. It's the only way to keep up with the competition. Even people who have been working steadily for 25 years now realize that to survive in today's workplace you have to be constantly learning. While you've been serving your sentence, everyone from grocery store clerks and healthcare workers to truck drivers and office administrators have been coming to grips with new technologies and new ways of communicating and doing business. Low-skilled, but high paying manufacturing jobs that you used to be able to get out of high school are disappearing. Instead, laid-off workers are referred to retraining programs so they too, can find a marketable skill. If you want to be able to compete for jobs in this market you have to keep learning. It's that simple.

In a future post, 'll talk more about choosing the right program for you. In the meantime, another useful site to start investigating opportunities in your area is the The National Hire Network, which lists re-entry resources by state.

Not just for kids

I finally had a moment to look at the "controversial" speech President Obama made to returning students. Scary stuff? Not exactly. Timeless would be more like it. What struck me is how much of what he said could be really useful for adults too. In fact, I wish I could tatoo some of these excerpts (with my comments in bold) on the hearts and minds of all the former offenders I work with, because well, take a look for yourself:

I want to start with the responsibility you have for yourself . Every one of you has something you're good at. Every one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourselves to discover what it is. (YES!)

Where you are right now doesn't determine where you'll end up. No one's written your destiny for you. Here in America you write your own destiny. You make your own future. (Now believe it!)
Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who've had the most failures. JK Rowlings first Harry Potter book was rejected 12 times before it was published. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team and he lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career. But he once said, "I have failed over and over in my life. And that is why I succeed." (See?)
These people succeeded because they understand that you can't let your failures define you -- you have to let them teach you. You have to let them show you what to do differently next time. If you get in trouble, that doesn't mean you're a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to behave.... (Hear, hear!)

And while we're on the subject of school, word just in that authorities in Virginia have reversed their ban on books for prisoners.  Another big YEAH! Check it out in tomorrow's Post.

Where books are scary

Believe it or not, one of the places is Virginia, which recently instituted  a ban the books campaign in all state correctional facilities.

Yes, it sounded a little crazy to me too.  But apparently a free program that's been providing prisoners with something to read for the past two decades has become too dangerous for VA authorities. And too much work. Or so the Quest Institute, a non-profit that runs "Books Behind Bars," was told last month by prison officials. While declining to provide details, VA DOC spokesman Larry Traylor told the Washington Post, there were growing concerns that someone could smuggle "contraband to a prisoner by secreting it in a book." Think Andy Dufresne's rock hammer (above) in the Shawshank Redemption. Except, oops - that was actually brought in with the laundry by another inmate. Dufresne only hid his escape tool in the Bible after he was back in his cell.

In the case of the prison book program, the folks at Quest think it was a stray paper clip and CD that accidentally made it into a Virginia shipment. Not a good thing, certainly, but not a rock hammer, either. I'm all for security concerns and safety - but inmates quietly reading vs. bored felons gossiping, gangbanging or worse? Who would you rather supervise? Or see released in the near future? Even in Virginia -- a state known for making prisoners as uncomfortable as possible -- passing out books seems less pampering than common sense, particularly when the most frequently requested volumes are the dictionary, the Bible and the Koran. Coming on top of last year's discontinuation of college courses in some facilities, this new ban is just silly, not to mention counter-productive.

Now I know many correctional facilities still have their own small libraries. I also know the pickings can be slim. One of my students recently requested a thesaurus because she wanted to build up her vocabulary for job interviews. There wasn't one in the library so the librarian shared her own, which unfortunately dated back to WW II. A sympathetic guard ultimately printed out a Word-of-the-Day from her computer and gave it to the inmate. Don't we want to encourage offenders like her who want to educate themselves and hopefully finish their terms more focused and able to get a job?  Particularly when it costs us nothing?

What's been your experience? Anyone benefit from reading while incarcerated? What books meant a lot to you?

The new reality

The Washington Post is the latest U.S. media outlet to weigh in on how much tougher it is for ex-offenders to find jobs in this economic climate. In the DC area, in fact, employment figures for former felons are the worst they've ever been.

Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any short-term fixes to this problem. For about the last six-months I've been adapting my class to reflect these new realities.. More than ever, I emphasize getting a job, any job, to build a record of employment. When one student recently told me there were some jobs she just couldn't do, like working at McDonald's, one of her classmates was quick to point out - rightly- that she would probably have a hard time finding one there right now.

This might seem pretty obvious, but don't be surprised if you feel a disconnect when you get out -- particularly if you began serving a sentence more than two years ago. Even with his family members telling him how bleak things were, one former construction manager who took my class couldn't believe how difficult it was to find something. He's now working part-time at a restaurant, but fears his hours may be cut back even further since fewer people are eating out.

The silver lining to all this gloom: A sea change in American attitudes means there's no shame in any job you take now. If nothing else, with money no longer free, the value of actual work -- any work -- seems to have come back into style. Particularly with the right attitude, as these stories illustrate.

The Vick Effect

Michael Vick's speedy post-prison return to the NFL -- complete with $10 million contract in hand -- focused attention on the challenges faced by ex-offenders. Particularly those who aren't professional athletes. Some commentators saw his supposed contrition on 60 Minutes as a slap in the face to the legions of folks who can't even get an interview with a felony in their past. If Vick really wanted to show remorse, one editorial suggested, he could start by helping other ex-offenders find jobs.

These sentiments are understandable, but if you're newly released and looking to start your life over, they're also irrelevant. Yes, you heard me right. I'm not saying there aren't plenty of former felons who are equally if not more deserving than Vick. It's just that a superstar jock is going to get the better deal, criminal record or no. That's our society. It stinks. It's unfair. Then again, so is the fact that teachers are poorly paid, while the bankers who helped ruin our economy still appear to rule the world -- but don't get me started. Perhaps some day all these things will change. Right now you need to focus on your situation and how to bring about the best things for yourself going forward.

A better takeaway from Vick's story is a tale of individual success. We can't all be celebrity athletes, obviously, but we all have skills and experience that can benefit an organization or help someone. The key is identifying those qualities and learning how to capitalize on them. Yes, it takes persistence, but it's also a numbers game and all you need is to get that one employer to pay attention and give you a chance. You can start building from there.

In the meantime, Vick's situation might already be giving you a boost. Before all the publicity about his deal, the Philadelphia Mayor's Office for the Re-entry of Ex-offenders had difficulties getting employers to hire felons even with a $10,000 tax credit thrown in, as columnist Monica Yant Kinney points out here. Since then, however, the office has experienced a record number of inquiries from companies looking to hire. So if you live in the area, this is a lead that might be worth checking out.

What's best for non-violent offenders?

Heard a timely interview today with former prosecutor and onetime felon Paul Butler, who's now a law professor at George Washington University. In a new book, Let's Get Free, he argues that if you want to reduce crime you have to send fewer people to prison. Counterintuitive? Maybe. But I think his argument -- that there are other ways of dealing with nonviolent offenders than locking them up -- is dead on.

When I first started teaching I was naive perhaps, but surprised to find so many of my students were serving sentences for drug and alcohol-related offenses. Sometimes the charges were more serious than DUI or possession, of course. A lot involved theft (the grab the purse and run variety) and credit card fraud. All deserving of punishment, certainly. But incarceration and a permanent record? I'm not always sure. In many cases, it's difficult not to think that treatment for substance abuse and/or a combination of restitution, community service and job/life skills training would serve these type of offenders and society better. And it would be a heckuva lot cheaper than the current $60 billion annually ($50,000 per inmate), that the U.S. spends housing prisoners. How is it that this great country of freedom, which has 5 percent of the world's population, has 25% of the world's prisoners?

That's one reason I'm encouraged by Sen. Jim Webb's criminal justice reform bill. Webb, who was keynote speaker when the Brookings Institute unveiled their report on prison reform that I blogged about here, is also concerned about the alarming proportion of mentally-ill, non-violent drug offenders and minorities currently in prison. His measure would put some really smart and experienced people in charge of figuring out what approach works best.

Webb says he wants to look at the total cost of incarceration, not only in terms of the billions we spend in building prisons and housing prisoners, but the in terms of the "lost opportunities with our post-prison systems." A change in thinking here, could provide a much-needed boost to re-entry services such as employment training and education, substance abuse treatment and other assistance that would help someone who had done their time could better reclaim their place as a productive citizen in society. It will be interesting to see if budget pressures will have an impact in terms of making this bill and Butler's ideas more palatable to those who would prefer to just lock everyone up.

In the meantime, you can listen to Butler here. You can also track Sen. Webb's bill and help by sending your stories or ideas to his office at this link.

Getting re-entry right

If you want to see some really good ideas for helping ex-offenders nationwide, this research paper, courtesy of the Brookings Institution is a great place to start. It lays out some sensible strategies to improve the current patchwork of underfunded state and non-profit programs. Some of the suggestions I really like include:

1. Requiring education and work in prison. This isn't about pampering and giving someone serving time for a felony special treatment.  It's about teaching inmates some of the basic skills they're often missing and building discipline and workplace skills to put people on the path to constructive living upon their release. The authors suggest something similar to the office work and manufacturing as jobs that prisoners are currently doing in the federal system, then providing intensive pre-release preparation.

2. Setting up transitional employment for the first year. A no-brainer that would end up paying for itself in terms of reduced recidivism. The first six to eight months after release are the most vulnerable times for an ex-offender. So finding something productive to do is key. Currently, ex-offenders without incredibly unique and sought after skills (which is to say most of them) must rely on a handful of employers willing to hire people with records, or the kindness of friends and strangers to get jobs. Surveys show the majority of employers don't want to be your first employer out of prison, but they wouldn't mind being your second. So a program like this could give many people who might not otherwise even get in the door an opportunity to go to work and prove themselves right away. It would also allow them to gradually acclimate to their changed circumstances.

3. Providing housing assistance and intensive support and substance abuse treatment upon release. Again, this seems self evident, but there is surprising reluctance to put money into these services as opposed to incarceration. But more support at this point is key for the newly released, who are getting out to face a life in shambles and no support system. Funding provided here could prevent many of these individuals from falling back into crime and the expensive prison system.

4. Trying different sanctions for parole violations. The typical penalty is to send the offender back to jail, which starts the cycle all over again. In some states like California over half of offenders are sent back for these types of violations. Given the most vulnerable time for a felon is when he or she is just released and rebuilding, and often without support, a home or a job, let alone a daily structure, this can often be when he makes mistakes. The authors argue that not immediately sending people back to prison could be more constructive in the long-run.

What do you think? Those of you in the business and those of you who have served time? What kind of programs would be or have been most helpful to you?