how to serve individuals with a criminal background ...€¦ · unemployment is a criminogenic risk...
TRANSCRIPT
RESOURCES, TOOLS, AND STRATEGIES
How to serve individuals with a
criminal background successfully
Mythbuster
MYTH
Generally speaking, individuals released from prison have spent long
sentences due to serious crimes
FACT
75% of individuals released from prison were incarcerated for less
than a total of 3 years
Prison Releases in Wisconsin – Time Served
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Less than 1year
1 year 2 years 3 years 4 years 5 years +
Perc
en
t of
Rele
ase
s
Time Between Admission and Release
1990
2000
2014
Note: Release numbers exclude temporary holds. Release counts and percentages are calculated excluding unknown sentence data.
Mythbuster
MYTH
Individuals released from prison are generally older in age, and
would not support the long-term, growing workforce needs of
Wisconsin
FACT
77% of individuals released from prison were under the age of 45,
and have the potential for long, stable careers that support the
growing workforce needs of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Correctional Population
In 2014, 8,667 individuals released into the community
from incarceration
27.7% of individuals released to Milwaukee County
6.4 % individuals released to Dane County (551
individuals)
Mythbuster
MYTH
It is uncommon for an individuals in the general public to have a
criminal history, and/or to have gone through the criminal justice
system at some point in their lifetime
FACT
6.85 million adults (or 1 in 36) in the United States under some form
of active correctional supervision
70 million adults (or 1 in 3) in the US with a criminal record
Wisconsin Statistics
64,000+ under correctional supervision in the community
22,000+ incarcerated in Wisconsin DOC institutions
8,500 – 9,000 DOC inmates released each year in WI
27.7%
6.4% 5.3% 4.2% 4.2% 3.8%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Milwaukee Dane Racine Brown Kenosha Waukesha
Perc
ent of
Rele
ase
s
2014 Releases from Incarceration
WIOA FUNDING THROUGH
WORKSMART & DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS PROGRAMMING
AND INITIATIVES
How to effectively work
with this population
Worksmart
My name is Dynae Saba and I am a Career Services
Specialist with Worksmart.
Worksmart is a Federal Program that assists dislocated
workers, low income candidates as well as reentering
offenders, with education and work readiness services
for an easier transition back into the workforce.
About Me:
I personally work with the re-entering population in Dane County, all of my participants have gone through extensive work readiness curriculum during their time served and many acquired education or maintained work experience during their tenures.
Upon release I work diligently with these individuals to ensure they're work ready and referral appropriate, I am able to do all of these things through Worksmart.
WI Economy & pros of hiring reentering candidates
With the low unemployment rate in Dane County (2.1% ) many
are struggling to find the employees they need to staff their
businesses.
Many reentering candidates possess or are eligible for:
Fidelity bonding & Work Opportunity Tax Credit
College Education assistance
Extensive Job training
Paid internships or apprenticeship opportunities
Eligibility requirements For Worksmart IN
DANE COUNTY
Clients can be found eligible if they’re:
Receiving unemployment.
Receiving State Benefits (Foodshare, Badgercare, w2).
Make Less than the 250% Federal Poverty Level (Less than
$30,150 annually per person).
Eligibility requirements For Worksmart IN
DANE COUNTY
Clients can be found eligible if they’re:
Receiving unemployment.
Receiving State Benefits (Foodshare, Badgercare,
w2).
Make Less than the 250% Federal Poverty Level
(Less than $30,150 annually per person).
Services provided to reentry participants
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention training
In depth employment industry assessments
Resume and cover letter development, mock interviewing
Assistance with Computer work (applications and fundamental
etiquette)
Housing assistance and Supportive services related to work –
tools, clothing, transportation assistance
Education both short term and long term (up to an associates
in an In demand industry)
Updates and preparation for community events
Advocacy and support
A year of follow up services available once they’re employed
Ways Businesses Utilize WorkSmart
RECRUITMENT
Job order assistance and posting on Job Center of Wisconsin
Community job fairs
Recruitment events at American Job Centers
Recruitment events at business facilities
Job leads/applicant screening
Resume screening
Interview preparation
TRAINING
Work-based training like on-the-job training (OJT), work experience and internships, and apprenticeships
Customized training for business/sector skill needs
Short term training
Specialized training
Incumbent worker training
Scenario 1: Utilizing Work Experience
1. You've received a referral from Worksmart (or have met a Worksmart eligible applicant on your own) who you're reluctant to hire but would like to try out:
With Worksmart's Work Experience we're able to:
Allow you to try out an employee for 9 weeks at NO COST to you!
As the applicant is an employee of our program there is no insurance liability, we manage time sheets and payroll, etc.
This is a temporary position, terms can be terminated due to poor performance or attendance issues.
Our program pays 100% of the employees wages for the (up to) 9 week term, after that period of time you'd determine if they're appropriate for permanent employment with your business.
SCENARIO 2: utilizing OJT
(On the Job Training)
Now lets say you've met a candidate you really love and want to hire but they're lacking skills they'd need to work efficiently:
With Worksmart's OJT (on the job training) we're able to:
Cover the costs of training up to $5,000.00.
Provide support with employee issues as well as conduct 3 evaluations of our own.
Provide supportive services while they're settling into their position (transportation assistance, tools, etc.).
Department of Corrections’ strategies for offender successes in the
community
Secretary’s Top Priorities:
“…to increase opportunities for inmates to successfully transition from
incarceration to the community through educational attainment and
meaningful employment.”
Windows to Work
WI DOC contracts with each of Wisconsin’s 11 Workforce
Development Boards (WDB) to provide, or subcontract to
provide, a Windows to Work Program at selected state
correctional institutions or county jail facilities in each
workforce development area.
W2W is a pre- and post-release program currently
operating in 12 DAI institutions, and 4 county jails.
Pre-release Services
Both individual and group participation begins
approximately 3 to 9 months prior to release from
incarceration. The Windows to Work Coach provides
participants with classroom training in core curriculum
content areas, and focuses on five main components.
The five components of Windows to Work:
1) Cognitive Intervention (CBI-EMP)
2) General Work Skills and Expectations
3) Financial Literacy
4) Community Resources
5) Job Seeking, Applications, and Resumes
Post-Release Services
Coaches assist participants with job search and job retention activities for approximately 12 months after release from incarceration.
Participants receive assistance in accessing available community resources to address needs for food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and other services.
Windows to Work programs sometimes have limited funds to assist participants in addressing barriers to employment, such as transportation, education, identification and work supplies.
CCEP
Community Corrections Employment Program
3 Main Components of CCEP
Work Experience Program (WE)
On the Job Training Program (OJT)
Training Opportunities and Placement Program (TOPP) – educational and vocational training assistance
Other Services Available
Direct Placement Services
Supportive Services
Transportation
Clothing
Gas Cards
Tools/Supplies
Driver’s License/State ID
Mythbusters
MYTH
Businesses and employers have no way to protect themselves from
potential property and monetary losses should an individual they
hire prove to be dishonest.
FACT
Through the Federal Bonding Program (FBP), funded and
administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), fidelity
insurance bonds are available to indemnify employers for loss of
money or property sustained through the dishonest acts of their
employees (i.e., theft, forgery, larceny, and embezzlement).
Fidelity Bonding
http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/bonding/
No cost – protects employer in case of any loss due to employee dishonesty
Basic $5,000 coverage bond, NO DEDUCTIBLE, expires after 6 months
Mythbusters
MYTH
Employers have no federal income tax advantage by hiring an ex-
felon.
FACT
Employers can save money on their federal income taxes in the form
of a tax credit incentive through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit
(WOTC) program by hiring ex-felons. An ex-felon under WOTC is an
individual who has been convicted of a felony under any statute of
the United States or any State, and has a hiring date which is within
one year from the date of conviction or release from prison.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
http://www.doleta.gov/business/incentives/opptax/
Employees must work 120 hours in first year of employment
“Ex-Felons” Has been convicted of a felony and hire date not more than 1 year after
conviction OR release from prison
$2,400 maximum tax credit
Mythbusters
MYTH
A person with a criminal record is not eligible to receive federal
student financial aid.
FACT
Individuals who are currently incarcerated in a federal, state, or
local correctional institution have some limited eligibility for
federal student aid. In general, restrictions on federal student aid
eligibility are removed for formerly incarcerated individuals,
including those on probation, on parole, or residing in a halfway
house.
Technical College Partnerships
Work closely with technical colleges to connect offenders
on supervision to short-term (or long term) training and
educational options that meet industry demands
DOC piloted a training program at Madison College in
2016 with incarcerated individuals The Industrial Maintenance Essentials: Fluid Power & Metal Processes Specialized
Training Academy
How the DOC and other Reentry
initiatives have improved
More collaboration with outside agencies
Our programming is based on evidence and
research
We effectively track progress to be more
purposeful in our funding
More of an emphasis on trainings, education, and apprenticeship programs
Why is this important
Recidivism and Offender Employment
Unemployment is a criminogenic risk factor. Offenders who are
unemployed are more likely to commit new crimes.
Offenders with higher earnings commit fewer crimes than those
with lower earnings.
“High-quality” jobs with “adequate hours and pay” or
“satisfying employment” leading to “viable work careers” have
an impact on recidivism.
Graduates of employment training programs perform better in
the labor market and they recidivate at lower rates than non-
graduates.
Moving forward
• Through effective and purposeful collaborations, and sharing
of resources, the results can mean a safer community, a more
skilled workforce, and less individuals incarcerated
Employer Testimony
Carol Grundmayer
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Madison-Kipp
Questions?
Contact Information
Dynae Saba – Career Services Specialist
608-242-4556
Not in Dane County? Need help with other business services?
Danica Nilsestuen -Director of Business Development 608.249.9001 ext. 227
Anna NealReentry Employment Coordinator
608.240.5037