The Issue

When a person is incarcerated, a tremendous opportunity exists to provide him or her with basic reading, writing, and math skills; a trade that is useful in the marketplace; and, sometimes, an advanced degree. Too often, this opportunity is lost because the class slots available are limited, not varied, or poorly timed; because programming does not correspond to the person's skill levels; or because the individual is not sufficiently interested in participating in the programs.

Challenges

• Poor basic education and marketable skills among people who are incarcerated
• Insufficient opportunities for people in prison and jail to participate in vocational or educational programs
• Work assignments or training provided during incarceration that do not always correspond to jobs available in the community
• Inadequate job opportunities, especially for people with few skills, in the communities to which prisoners return
• Statutory and regulatory barriers, in addition to employer concerns generally, regarding the employment of people with criminal records
• Lack of coordination between otherwise effective workforce systems and departments of correction