JOB DEVELOPMENT AND A REALITY CHECK FOR THE EX-OFFENDER

97% of all individuals being released from jail or prison will be returning to their communities. Released inmates who are employed or are receiving employment services are substantially less likely to recidivate (return to jail or prison) compared with those who are unemployed and receiving no such services.

The average cost “per day” to house an inmate in Stanislaus county is $60.00 and higher for those in prison. It makes sense to work with these individuals in order to help them become law abiding, productive members of society.

Some of the difficulties encountered by ex-offenders returning to society are expressed in an excerpt taken from “The Ex-inmate's Guide to Successful Employment” by Erroll Craig Sull. In this excerpt Mr. Sull specifically addresses the ex-offender:

“Fear, uncertainty, anxiety, nervousness: these are not the usual words that one associates with the news that he or she is going to be out of prison soon, in the outside world. Yet beyond the initial rush of knowing that prison life and all that you dislike about it will soon be gone comes the realization that you need to find employment and keep that employment; that you need to secure housing, food, and clothing; that you need to readjust to life and people on the outside; that you need to embrace an attitude that is more optimistic and enthusiastic; and that you need to develop a strong sense of self-responsibility and self-motivation. Indeed, fear, uncertainty, anxiety and nervousness seem like pretty normal reactions when these items are added to what freedom from prison brings.”

The anchor to keep you on the right path is a job. Once you are employed other items and other responsibilities in your life can come about just a little bit easier: Income to pay for the basics of life (such as food, clothing, and shelter); the means to support a family; the means to pay any court-ordered fines, restitution, and fees; a way to establish a secure future; and – perhaps most important – the opportunity to prove that you can put a history of mistakes and failures aside and substitute it for a life of success.

Of course, we've all heard and read about the job hunting horror stories with language that goes something like this: “Sorry, we don't hire ex-cons” . . . . . . “Personally, I'd hire you but the company has a policy about hiring ex-felons and I'm just going by the rules – I'm sure you understand, don't you?” . . . . . “Now, what have you been doing for these past few years that aren't accounted for on your resume?”

Almost anyone who has spent time in prison has some story to tell about his or her quest for a job (and a fresh start) . . . . and how his or her prison record caused some degree of difficulty in landing a position.