Self-Assessment for Employment-Focused Reentry Programs

Finding employment is a critical part of successful reentry for the millions of people returning to communities after incarceration, but it’s not the only part. Appropriately addressing criminogenic risk and needs as well as the soft and hard skills necessary for the workplace are also key in reducing recidivism and improving long-term job retention in this population. Employment-focused reentry programs are often uniquely positioned to administer these services.

This self-assessment from the National Reentry Resource Center helps programs gauge their capacity to provide integrated reentry and employment interventions, including work readiness, to people with varying risks and needs. The tool helps reentry practitioners identify opportunities to build the capacity of their programming and services, which, in turn, can better prepare participants for employment and decrease their likelihood of returning to incarceration.

The self-assessment should be used in conjunction with the Integrated Reentry and Employment Strategies: Reducing Recidivism and Promoting Job Readiness (IRES) white paper, a resource released in 2013 that helps policymakers, practitioners, and system administrators ensure resources are being used effectively to improve employment outcomes for people who have been incarcerated or are on probation or parole.