The Pros of Employment for Ex-Cons

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Recommended: Effective rehabilitation programs in prison

The Pros of Employment for Ex-Cons

In the last thirty years the crime rate in the United States has decreased, but the number of people incarcerated has increased because longer minimum sentences and stricter requirements for parole have been established. Offenders serve longer prison sentences that lead to a variety of employment-related barriers to overcome after release (Bracey 253). In the State of Nebraska, ex-offenders find little help when searching for employment. On the Department of Correction’s website, the mission statement reads,

The mission of the Department of Correctional Services is to serve and protect the public by providing control, humane care, and program opportunities for those individuals placed in its custody and supervision, thereby facilitating their return to society as responsible persons (“Nebraska” par 1).

Yet, ex-offenders in Nebraska are not able to find jobs once they are returned to society, Even though having a job is a necessary part of becoming a responsible citizen. The Nebraska Department of Corrections should make a more focused effort to help offenders find long standing employment upon release from prison.

Employment is an important factor for ex-offenders (Rakis 7). They need a stable job to provide income, housing, and basic needs. If an ex-offender has a family to support, that income becomes even more crucial (Pannkuk). Ex-offenders need jobs that are secure, with a reasonable amount of wages and benefits. With the current state of the economy, it is not feasible to live on minimum wage, especially if trying to support a family (Pannkuk). Having a secure job will also help smooth the transition from prison to normal life. Ex-offenders with employment have lower recidivism rates t...

... middle of paper ...

...een Prisoner Reentry and Work, May 19-20, 2003: Employment Barriers Facing Ex-Offenders. New York University Law School, 2003.

"Nebraska Department of Correctional Services." Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Mar. 2010. .

Oswald, Joyce. "Job Fairs in America's State Prisons: Summary of Findings on Research." Journal of Correctional Education 56.2 (2005): 174-185. 15 Jan. 2010. Wilson Web.

Rakis, John. "Improving the Employment Rates of Ex-prisoners Under Parole." Federal Probation 69.1 (2005): 7-12. 15 Jan. 2010. Wilson Web.

"Recidivism." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 08 Feb. 2010. Dictionary.com .

Pannkuk, Janee. Email interview. 10 Jan. 2010.

Smith, Dawn-Renee. Email interview. 19 Feb. 2010.

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