More Than a Job

Summary

Individuals who have been incarcerated face many challenges when seeking to reenter the job market after their release from prison. This report outlines and evaluates the results of the Center for Employment Opportunity program in assisting former prisoners at improving their job prospects and reducing the likelihood they will return to prison.

Table of Contents

• Overview
• List of Exhibits
• Acknowledgments
• Executive Summary
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: CEO Program Implementation and Service Receipt
• Chapter 3: Impacts of CEO on Employment and Recidivism
• Chapter 4: Benefit-Cost Analysis of the CEO Program
• Chapter 5: Conclusion
• What's Next?
• Appendix A: Additional Information About the Research and Participants’ Characteristics at Baseline
• Appendix B: Additional Information About the Program Group’s Participation
• Appendix C: Additional Impacts on Employment and Earnings
• Appendix D: Additional Impacts on Recidivism
• Appendix E: Additional Impacts for Subgroups Defined by Educational Attainment, Age and Recidivism Risk Index
• Appendix F: Sources and Additional Tables for the Benefit-Cost Analysis
• References
• MDRC Publications on the Enhanced Services for the Hard-to-Employ Demonstration and Evaluation Project

Key Takeaway

Transitional job programs may provide help and hope to former prisoners

The findings of the CEO transitional jobs program show promise in helping former prisoners transition from prison back into their communities. Results of a three-year follow up study indicate that early intervention after release from prison is key to positively impacting individuals’ employment prospects and reducing recidivism rates.