Govt’ offers Incentives to Hire Formerly Incarcerated Adults

The increasing cost of incarcerating adults coupled with growing numbers of inmates has urged local and national governments to support job training and support programs. A recent online article discussed the trend of hiring formerly incarcerated adults.

And when it comes to ex-cons, it’s paid off. “Of all the groups we targeted, ex-offenders turned out to be the best employees, in part because they usually have a desire to create a better life for themselves,” she says. “They are often highly motivated and many have usable job skills that are desirable for an employer. They come to work every day and do not engage in the type of behaviors that will land them back in the penal system.”

While many people may disregard the issue of jobs for ex-felons as something they don’t have to worry about, we may all be forced to confront the issue sooner or later given the growing ranks of parolees.

“The number of ex-felons in the United States is at the highest level in our history,” says Chris Uggen, a professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota, who estimates there are about 12 million former felons living among us today. With an impending job shortage as baby boomers age, employers may be forced to start considering former prison inmates whether they like it or not, he surmises.

“Work is not a panacea, but a stable job and a good home situation really improves the odds that people will get out of criminal activity,” he says, adding that a job does help keep ex-offenders out of jail, especially among older parolees.

Literacy Source provides tutor support for the Educations Program at the King County Correctional Facility, as well as sponsoring a Transitions class for inmates about to be released. The center also matches tutors with individuals who are sanctioned for one to two months of program participation through the Department of Corrections. Adult learners in these programs are achieving their GEDs and accessing the community resources to create a more stable life on the outside.