Working with the Previously Incarcerated: Job Placement Strategies

An important strategy when working with individuals who were previouslyincarcerated is ensuring that each job the person applies for, even if it’sentry level, is suitable and holds some type of meaning for them.  Asuitable job is one a person can perform, evenwith their criminalhistory.  A meaningful job is one that takes a person’s skills, abilities,interests, and long term goals into consideration.  It’s not a job aperson is placed in just for“placement sake.”  Does it take a littlelonger to place someone using this strategy?  Possibly, but you have toconsider the long term effect, which may result in higher retention andsatisfaction rates, and lower recidivism.

When determining what jobs may be suitable, keep in mind that notallprofessions will be readily available to someone with acriminalbackground.  For some occupations, there are numerous jobandlicensing restrictions. The good news is that each licensing agencyhas theirown criteria for determining if someone with a criminalbackground has been“rehabilitated.” While there is no absolute rule

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stating what jobs a person with a criminal conviction should orshouldn’tpursue, there are several fields where a person’s backgroundwill be closelyscrutinized.  These occupations include:

* Real estate broker and salesperson licensure* Jobs in the healthcarefield* Education* Cosmetology* Social Worker* Private security

Licensure in real estate, cosmetology, and social work are generallymade ona case by case basis, and other factors may be considered inthe licensingboards decision.  However, jobs in healthcare andeducation carry automaticexclusions for some jobs simply based on thetype of offense.  For example,in the healthcare field various boardsand health care agencies are allowed toexclude applicants who aremandated/registered sex offenders or who have beenarrested for drugrelated offenses.  In education jobs, anyone declaredmentally insane,or convicted of a sex or drug related offense will generally bedeniedlicensure by the State Board of Education. For security or lawenforcementpositions, the general rule is the more traditional thelaw enforcement duties,the more stringent the evaluation forlicensing.

Unfortunately, some of the training and education a person mightreceive inor outside of prison may fall into one of these categories.Honestly, I can’tthink of a worse situation than sending someone totraining, only to find outthat their criminal background reduces thechance they’ll be hired into theprofession they’ve been trained for.If this has occurred, close attentionshould be paid to identifyingthe individual’s transferable skills so they canbe applied to a moresuitable occupation.  Before job advice is given, thebest thing aprogram can do is take the time to research additionalstaterequirements and restrictions related to in-demand professions, anddirectjob seekers to positions that are in line with their longemployment term careergoals. To yield the best outcome, this is whatwe should be doing for all of ourclients.

Tags: Incarcerated, Placement, Previously, Strategies, Working

Category: Job Advice