Vocational Rehabilitation Library Toolkit

Abstract: Individuals with barriers to employment such as people with disabilities or people who transition from prison to the community face different challenges in navigating the world of work. Participants in this study were incarcerated males (n = 87) who completed the Career Thoughts Inventory (CTI) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS), in addition to self-reported demographic information including disability status. This study examined the relationships among positive or negative career thoughts using the CTI and career interests using the SDS. Results of this study provide a rich description of the sample and indicate statistically significant relationships among participants' generational affiliation and the CTI subscale, Commitment Anxiety. Statistically significant relationships were also identified among participant's race and the dominant career interest code as measured by the Self-Directed Search.

Abstract: Objective: Incarceration and substance use disorders/mental illness can have a significant negative impact on finding employment. However, it is unclear in what phase of the search for employment, that is, applying for jobs, obtaining interviews, being offered employment, does time incarcerated have the most effect. This study will determine how time incarcerated in the past 10 years is associated with negative job search process outcomes. Method: This study evaluates 84 (81 men and 3 women) veterans with substance use disorders and histories of felony convictions. Four path analyses were conducted to evaluate models that incorporated time incarcerated at the different phases. Results: The superior model incorporated time incarcerated negatively affecting the number of interviews obtained. Models that assessed the association between time incarcerated with applications submitted and likelihood of being offered employment did not demonstrate adequate goodness-of-fit. Conclusion and Implications for Practice: Overall, the findings demonstrate the ex-offenders enrolled exhibited similar effort in searching for employment across time incarcerated. Also, employers are equally likely to hire those with felony histories, regardless of the time incarcerated, once the applicant has been met and interviewed. The results highlight the need for services focusing on breaking down stigma and reducing barriers that screen out ex-offenders from being interviewed by employers.

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review of research conducted over the past ten years (2008–2018) that examines the relationship between criminal record and work in the USA. Furthermore, a research agenda is presented that may help to better inform future investigations of the relationships shared between these variables.

Abstract: This study examined the impact of criminal justice involvement on competitive employment outcomes for clients with severe mental illness enrolled in supported employment. Based on chart reviews of 154 clients enrolled in supported employment, the CJI and no CJI groups differed on several clinical and demographic variables, but did not differ on competitive employment outcomes. This study suggests that clients with criminal justice involvement do benefit from supported employment. Further research should track employment outcomes for a longer interval with a larger study group in order to provide a more complete picture of the extent to which CJI impacts employment.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Ex-offenders with disabilities encounter barriers with obtaining employment upon post-release. Offender status may affect not only opportunities for employment, but earnings as well for ex-offenders with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to discuss barriers to employment for ex-offenders with disabilities and to identify how racial/ethnically marginalized ex-offenders are disproportionately unemployed and earn less than their White counterparts. METHODS: Descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses utilizing archival Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report (RSA-911) data from fiscal years 2004– 2013 was employed. RESULTS: Findings indicated that African American ex-offenders with disabilities are employed at higher rates than both Hispanic and White ex-offenders but earn less than both of these groups. CONCLUSIONS: Implications for VR service providers, training and policy reform are discussed.

Abstract: The purpose of this qualitative project was to explore employment-related considerations through the perspectives of supported employment consumers with both psychiatric disabilities and criminal offense histories. Fourteen individuals participated in semi-structured interviews. Resulting themes included the importance of nonvocational services; relationship between mental illness and criminal activity; impact of mental illness and offense history on employment; helpful elements of supported employment; and recovery and advice to others. These findings help to explain how supported employment can mitigate social underachievement and social decline in an especially high need population.

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to examine the process of psychological empowerment as it impacts exoffenders' self-sufficiency. This transformational process of social inclusion involves developing employment hope as one strives for economic success. Using a sample of 154 exoffenders receiving services from a community-based social service organization in Chicago, this study investigated how self-esteem, self-efficacy, and employment hope affect self-sufficiency. Based on structural equation model analyses, employment hope significantly mediated the path from self-esteem to self-sufficiency. This study confirms previous studies that suggest a renewed focus on employment hope for comprehensively supporting exoffenders' successful transition to self-sufficiency.

Abstract: Researchers have found providing employment opportunities for ex-offenders through job training programs to be effective at reducing recidivism. Examining various community-based programs for ex-offenders can be beneficial as they may be able to provide more stable and consistent programming without relying on the justice system. This study examined employment outcomes of graduates with and without criminal histories ( n = 617) from a community-based vocational training program. Results showed that ex-offender graduates obtained employment at equal rates to nonoffender graduates and received equal pay to their nonoffender counterparts. This could indicate that for the vocationally educated ex-offender, employment outcomes may be able to equal those of other job-searching individuals with similar backgrounds but without a criminal history. Community-based programs for ex-offenders may be able to provide effective programming to improve vocational attainment within this group, thereby potentially easing the burden on criminal justice institutions as the sole provider of offender rehabilitation.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) provides counseling, training, job placement, assistive technology and other support services to people with disabilities. VR counselors work to find employment consistent with their client's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice. In order for VR counselors to be successful and effective in providing these services, it is important to know the client's full history. A great number of VR clients have criminal histories or have been adjudicated for crimes committed. According to the RSA-911 Technical Report, however criminal history is not a part of the VR national scope. OBJECTIVE: The following article discusses howthe omission of criminal history has and will continue to have a significant impact on those clients in securing employment; and indirectly, affecting the success rate of VR. CONCLUSIONS: Suggestions for how to include criminal history are also included.

Abstract: Individuals with criminal histories who struggle to gain employment may choose to turn to illegal activity or seek state and federal program assistance to support themselves and their families. African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos with disabilities and criminal histories experience barriers (i.e., disability, criminal history, and race/ethnicity) that often prevent them from obtaining or maintaining competitive integrated employment. The purpose of this article was to examine the extant literature pertinent to disability and criminal histoiy as employment obstacles among African American and Hispanic/Latino ex-offenders. As the foundation, the article categorizes employment outcomes for these target population by disability and criminal histoiy, discusses how state vocational rehabilitation agencies can develop a criminal histoiy service deliveiy model to improve employment outcomes, presents implications for improving employment outcomes, and explores future research.

Abstract: Following incarceration, women face unique challenges in returning to their communities and seeking employment. This qualitative study used interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the lived experiences of previously incarcerated women as they participated in It's More Than a Job Club, Sister, a spiritually integrated career intervention, and subsequently sought employment. The following 4 superordinate themes emerged describing this experience: (a) It was more than a job club; (b) God gave me a second chance: the impact of faith on recovery and employment; (c) barriers to employment; and (d) looking ahead. The findings indicate the need for a strengths-based approach to career intervention that builds upon existing skills and emphasizes identity exploration, uncovering core beliefs and vocational values, bridging the gap between goals and barriers, and leveraging interpersonal skills. The findings also indicate that career counseling with female returning citizens is enhanced by incorporating attention to the role of substance abuse/recovery and by attending to the intersection of calling and vocation.

Abstract: According to the U.S. Department of Justice (2007), over 10,000 formerly incarcerated individuals are released each week from federal and state prisons. The purpose of this study is to draw upon human capital theory to examine the relationships between the types of training programs and gainful employment for formerly incarcerated individuals. Three types of training programs considered in this study are school‐based training programs, pre‐employment training programs, and postemployment training programs. Generalized linear mixed models are used to determine if each type of training program is related to employment status and income. Based on a sample from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97), postemployment training programs are positively related to gainful employment for formerly incarcerated individuals. This result emphasizes the pivotal role of employers in addressing mass incarceration through human resources development (HRD).

Abstract: The article presents a study which argues that employment programs for individuals exiting prison can benefit society even if they do not directly reduce recidivism, by helping to identify quickly and efficiently those desisters who are ready to work, using signaling theory, a theory from labor economics. It discusses recent studies of criminal recidivism and studies that illustrate sorting or selection mechanisms in the evaluation of work programs.

Abstract: Almost 2.3 million people are incarcerated in correctional facilities across the United States. More than 95% of this population will be released to return to society at some time. People returning from prison can be at a disadvantage as they compete for work. They might be challenged by known barriers to employment, like restrictions on work opportunities and powerful stigma, resulting in asocial problem. While some correctional facilities provide vocational services, 75% or more of citizens returning to U.S. communities from prison cannot obtain sustainable wage employment. Yet, it appears there is little research illuminating the pathways used by people who have attained sustainable wages after incarceration. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to describe the diverse perceptions and experiences of formerly incarcerated citizens to learn if and how they used vocational services to obtain employment. Person-centered counseling philosophy and the theory of career choice framed this study. Telephone interviews with six case participants who obtained sustainable employment after at least one year in prison provided rich subjective data. Content and thematic analysis resulted in the emergence of six overarching themes. The themes indicated that, to supplement education, technical skills, and work experience, formerly incarcerated citizens developed virtuous qualities to acquire sustainable work. The case study results may contribute to social change by providing knowledge about supporting citizens returning from prison for individual, family, and community well-being.

Abstract: We examine the extent to which the relationship between mental health and substance use problems and the risk of rearrest varies across race/ethnicity. Data from the Pathways to Desistance, a longitudinal study of serious adolescent offenders, are used to estimate the risk of rearrest over time. Results show that mental health (except for substance use) does little, above and beyond traditional criminogenic risk markers and control variables, to significantly increase or decrease the risk of rearrest, a finding that was largely replicated across race/ethnicity. Some evidence emerged that the mechanisms by which mental health/substance use disorders and criminogenic risk interact to affect risk of rearrest operated differently across race/ethnic groups. Mental health conditions may have some small relationship to rearrest, but this effect is dwarfed by other more powerful risk factors such as antisocial history. Research is needed assessing the conditions under which mental health is implicated in offending.

Abstract: The transition to and from juvenile justice settings is a complex and challenging process. Effectively preparing juvenile justice personnel to address the transition needs of incarcerated students is an essential aspect of reducing the negative effects of the school-to-prison pipeline. This article examines program and professional development challenges that should be addressed to provide effective juvenile justice transition services. It also provides a technology-based perspective to the professional development challenges that are inherent within juvenile justice.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) provides counseling, training, job placement, assistive technology and other support services to people with disabilities. VR counselors work to find employment consistent with their client's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice. In order for VR counselors to be successful and effective in providing these services, it is important to know the client's full history. A great number of VR clients have criminal histories or have been adjudicated for crimes committed. According to the RSA-911 Technical Report, however criminal history is not a part of the VR national scope. OBJECTIVE: The following article discusses howthe omission of criminal history has and will continue to have a significant impact on those clients in securing employment; and indirectly, affecting the success rate of VR. CONCLUSIONS: Suggestions for how to include criminal history are also included.

Abstract: Following incarceration, women face unique challenges in returning to their communities and seeking employment. This qualitative study used interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the lived experiences of previously incarcerated women as they participated in It's More Than a Job Club, Sister, a spiritually integrated career intervention, and subsequently sought employment. The following 4 superordinate themes emerged describing this experience: (a) It was more than a job club; (b) God gave me a second chance: the impact of faith on recovery and employment; (c) barriers to employment; and (d) looking ahead. The findings indicate the need for a strengths-based approach to career intervention that builds upon existing skills and emphasizes identity exploration, uncovering core beliefs and vocational values, bridging the gap between goals and barriers, and leveraging interpersonal skills. The findings also indicate that career counseling with female returning citizens is enhanced by incorporating attention to the role of substance abuse/recovery and by attending to the intersection of calling and vocation.

Abstract: This study explores the recidivism of female inmates released from state prison through secondary analysis of data collected by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (Langan & Levin 2002). This BJS study examined the recidivism of prisoners from 15 states released in 1994 by collecting 3-year follow-up data as described in the bulletin, . The present study examines the 23,562 females in this data set, examining their recidivism patterns and exploring the impact of prior criminal history on post-release recidivism.

Abstract: Two groups now constitute the fastest growing segment of the U.S. prison population: women and persons with mental illness. Few large-scale studies have explored associations among serious mental illness (SMI), gender, and recidivism, or compared factors such as illness severity and clinical history as these construct notably different situations for incarcerated women and men. We report on our recent study comparing prison recidivism rates, severity of mental illness, and clinical history for women and men released from Utah State Prison 1998–2002. Implications: While women generally have better recidivism outcomes than men, we find that SMI related factors have a greater negative effect on the trajectories of women in this sample as compared with the men. This suggests that programs and policies focused on the SMI-specific risks and needs of women could significantly reduce prison recidivism and increase community tenure for this group, with far-reaching effects for families and communities.

Abstract: We examine the extent to which the relationship between mental health and substance use problems and the risk of rearrest varies across race/ethnicity. Data from the Pathways to Desistance, a longitudinal study of serious adolescent offenders, are used to estimate the risk of rearrest over time. Results show that mental health (except for substance use) does little, above and beyond traditional criminogenic risk markers and control variables, to significantly increase or decrease the risk of rearrest, a finding that was largely replicated across race/ethnicity. Some evidence emerged that the mechanisms by which mental health/substance use disorders and criminogenic risk interact to affect risk of rearrest operated differently across race/ethnic groups. Mental health conditions may have some small relationship to rearrest, but this effect is dwarfed by other more powerful risk factors such as antisocial history. Research is needed assessing the conditions under which mental health is implicated in offending.

Abstract: Objective: Incarceration and substance use disorders/mental illness can have a significant negative impact on finding employment. However, it is unclear in what phase of the search for employment, that is, applying for jobs, obtaining interviews, being offered employment, does time incarcerated have the most effect. This study will determine how time incarcerated in the past 10 years is associated with negative job search process outcomes. Method: This study evaluates 84 (81 men and 3 women) veterans with substance use disorders and histories of felony convictions. Four path analyses were conducted to evaluate models that incorporated time incarcerated at the different phases. Results: The superior model incorporated time incarcerated negatively affecting the number of interviews obtained. Models that assessed the association between time incarcerated with applications submitted and likelihood of being offered employment did not demonstrate adequate goodness-of-fit. Conclusion and Implications for Practice: Overall, the findings demonstrate the ex-offenders enrolled exhibited similar effort in searching for employment across time incarcerated. Also, employers are equally likely to hire those with felony histories, regardless of the time incarcerated, once the applicant has been met and interviewed. The results highlight the need for services focusing on breaking down stigma and reducing barriers that screen out ex-offenders from being interviewed by employers.

Abstract: This study examined the impact of criminal justice involvement on competitive employment outcomes for clients with severe mental illness enrolled in supported employment. Based on chart reviews of 154 clients enrolled in supported employment, the CJI and no CJI groups differed on several clinical and demographic variables, but did not differ on competitive employment outcomes. This study suggests that clients with criminal justice involvement do benefit from supported employment. Further research should track employment outcomes for a longer interval with a larger study group in order to provide a more complete picture of the extent to which CJI impacts employment.

Abstract: Background: Academic literature and government initiatives have emphasised the importance of work as a means of improving health and reducing reoffending among offenders with mental disorders. Whilst a number of work skills programmes have shown promise for offenders more generally, evaluation of evidence for their effectiveness for those with a mental disorder is lacking, particularly in relation to improving employment outcomes. Aims: To assess the evidence on the effectiveness of work skills programmes for mentally disordered offenders. Method: A systematic review of the literature was conducted by searching the following databases: PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library (Trials Register), Embase and Medline, using search terms which included Work Skills Programme*, Offend* and Mental*. Any empirical comparison study of work skills programmes was included in this review. The primary outcome was employment. Secondary outcomes included employment outcomes, reoffending, education, mental state, substance misuse, global functioning, quality of life, acceptability, leaving the study early and cost effectiveness or other economic outcomes. Results: Six articles met the inclusion criteria. Collectively they provided limited evidence that work skills programmes increase the likelihood of people with mental disorder who are offenders obtaining employment in the short term, but there are insufficient studies to determine the long-term impact of work skills programmes. Conclusions: There is modest evidence to support inclusion of specific work skills programmes in the treatment of offenders with mental disorder. Future studies should be of theoretically driven programmes, such as Individual Placement Support (IPS), and use a standard set of relevant outcome measures and long enough follow-up for testing the effectiveness of any programme on engagement in competitive, paid employment as, even if skilled, offenders with mental disorder must constitute a hard to place group.

Abstract: With more than 200,000 veterans incarcerated, a significant need exists for the development of technologies that help veterans with felony histories return to employment. This study evaluated the effect of three methods of vocational assistance on competitive employment over a 6 mo follow-up period: (1) basic vocational services, (2) self-study using a vocational manual designed for formerly incarcerated veterans, and (3) a group led by vocational staff using the vocational manual. We evaluated 111 veterans for time to obtain and total time of competitive employment. The group format was expected to be superior to the self-study and the self-study superior to basic services. Findings indicated that the group format was associated with quicker employment and more total employment than the basic and self-study conditions. Limitations and directions for future refinement are discussed.

Abstract: With the high number of incarcerated veterans with mental illness and substance dependence returning to the community annually, a significant need exists for technologies that will help them return to employment. This study evaluates three methods of assistance: (1) basic vocational services, (2) self-study of a vocational manual designed for formerly incarcerated veterans, and (3) a group led by vocational staff using the vocational manual. We evaluated 69 veterans to determine the number finding employment within 3 months after enrollment in the study. The group format was expected to be superior to self-study, and self-study was expected to be superior to basic services. Though the group format was found to be superior to both self-study and basic services, the results for self-study and basic services were statistically similar. Limitations and directions for future refinement are discussed.

Abstract: The purpose of this qualitative project was to explore employment-related considerations through the perspectives of supported employment consumers with both psychiatric disabilities and criminal offense histories. Fourteen individuals participated in semi-structured interviews. Resulting themes included the importance of nonvocational services; relationship between mental illness and criminal activity; impact of mental illness and offense history on employment; helpful elements of supported employment; and recovery and advice to others. These findings help to explain how supported employment can mitigate social underachievement and social decline in an especially high need population.

Abstract: Objective: A number of legal, social, and political factors over the past 40 years have led to the current epidemic of psychiatric disorders in the U.S. prison system. Although numerous investigations have reported substantially elevated rates of psychiatric disorders among prison inmates compared with the general population, it is unclear whether mental illness is a risk factor for multiple episodes of incarceration. The authors examined this association in a retrospective cohort study of the nation’s largest state prison system. Method: The study population included 79,211 inmates who began serving a sentence between September 1, 2006, and August 31, 2007. Data on psychiatric disorders, demographic characteristics, and history of incarceration for the preceding 6-year period were obtained from statewide medical information systems and analyzed. Results: Inmates with major psychiatric disorders (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, and nonschizophrenic psychotic disorders) had substantially increased risks of multiple incarcerations over the 6-year study period. The greatest increase in risk was observed among inmates with bipolar disorders, who were 3.3 times more likely to have had four or more previous incarcerations compared with inmates who had no major psychiatric disorder. Conclusions: Prison inmates with major psychiatric disorders are more likely than those without to have had previous incarcerations. The authors recommend expanding interventions to reduce recidivism among mentally ill inmates. They discuss the potential benefits of continuity of care reentry programs to help mentally ill inmates connect with community-based mental health programs at the time of their release, as well as a greater role for mental health courts and other diversion strategies.

Abstract: Lack of employment is an important barrier to successful reintegration encountered by those released from prison with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders. This study compares 3 different vocational reintegration modalities for a veteran population: (a) basic services; (b) self-study using the About Face Vocational Manual; and (c) the About Face Vocational Program, a standardized group program focused on the About Face Vocational Manual. One-hundred eleven veterans with a history of at least one felony conviction and a mental illness and/or substance use disorder were recruited from a large urban Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center. Veterans were assigned to 1 of the 3 conditions and followed for 12 months. At the end of the 1-year follow-up period, veterans in the group condition had superior competitive and stable employment rates, as well as faster times to employment compared with both the basic and self-study conditions. The self-study condition was generally indistinguishable from the basic services condition. Overall, new employment during the last 6 months of the follow-up period was relatively low. The findings support the use of standardized group vocational reintegration programs such as the About Face Vocational Program. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Abstract: Two groups now constitute the fastest growing segment of the U.S. prison population: women and persons with mental illness. Few large-scale studies have explored associations among serious mental illness (SMI), gender, and recidivism, or compared factors such as illness severity and clinical history as these construct notably different situations for incarcerated women and men. We report on our recent study comparing prison recidivism rates, severity of mental illness, and clinical history for women and men released from Utah State Prison 1998–2002. Implications: While women generally have better recidivism outcomes than men, we find that SMI related factors have a greater negative effect on the trajectories of women in this sample as compared with the men. This suggests that programs and policies focused on the SMI-specific risks and needs of women could significantly reduce prison recidivism and increase community tenure for this group, with far-reaching effects for families and communities.

Abstract: We analyzed data collected for a large multi-site evaluation of 12 prisoner reentry programs in 12 states to examine the impact of pre-release services on time to rearrest and number of rearrests up to 56 months post-release for male offenders. A two-stage matching quasi-experimental design was used to define the comparison groups and multivariate models were used to examine the relationships among service and program receipt and recidivism. Participation in the reentry program was associated with longer time to arrest and fewer arrests after release. However, the specific services delivered as part of the program showed modest or inconsistent impacts on recidivism. Services that focused on individual change were more beneficial than services that focused on practical skills and needs. Practitioners should consider careful sequencing of program and service delivery in prison, linking in-prison services to post-release assistance, and evaluating all services and programs for fidelity and effectiveness.

Abstract: Although the association between unemployment and offending is well established, relatively little is known about the impact of vocational education and training programs on re-offending, with much of the previous work in this area failing to control for, or correct, selection bias. This article reports the findings of a systematic review, which considers the findings of only those studies that have used experimental or quasi-experimental designs to evaluate vocational training and employment program outcomes for adult offenders. The analysis identifies key features, based on these studies, of those programs associated with the best outcomes and recommends selection criteria for those who are most likely to benefit from prison vocational education and training.

Excerpt from Summary: The number of people incarcerated in the United States grew steadily for nearly 30 years. That number has been slowly decreasing since 2008, but as of 2012 there were still over 2 million people incarcerated in prisons and jails across the country. The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reports that since 1990 an average of 590,400 inmates have been released annually from state and federal prisons and almost 5 million ex-offenders are under some form of community-based supervision.

Abstract: This article provides the results of a multi-year evaluation of one state's prison reentry program and its impact on the success of offender participants as measured by certain recidivism outcomes, defined here as yielding a positive urinalysis, returning to prison, and having a new conviction. Using propensity score matching, the recidivism outcomes of an equivalent comparison group are also presented. A discussion of the plausible reasons why reentry program participants returned to prison earlier and in greater numbers is provided, and recommendations for additional evaluation strategies are proposed.

Abstract: This study explores the recidivism of female inmates released from state prison through secondary analysis of data collected by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (Langan & Levin 2002). This BJS study examined the recidivism of prisoners from 15 states released in 1994 by collecting 3-year follow-up data as described in the bulletin, . The present study examines the 23,562 females in this data set, examining their recidivism patterns and exploring the impact of prior criminal history on post-release recidivism.

Abstract: Youth with disabilities are significantly overrepresented in the juvenile justice system, yet they are generally less successful post-release in the domains of recidivism, school completion, and employment as compared to their nondisabled peers. The purpose of this literature review is to identify empirical transition practices that benefit youth with disabilities, who are at a high risk of incarceration and school dropout. Three types of practices were identified as effective in varying degrees on rates of recidivism and community engagement: the use of transition specialists, education and employment support, and mental health services. The implications for practice include extending transition services post-release, coordinating with outside agencies, and developing individualized programming for youth with disabilities based on their specific needs.

Abstract: Two groups now constitute the fastest growing segment of the U.S. prison population: women and persons with mental illness. Few large-scale studies have explored associations among serious mental illness (SMI), gender, and recidivism, or compared factors such as illness severity and clinical history as these construct notably different situations for incarcerated women and men. We report on our recent study comparing prison recidivism rates, severity of mental illness, and clinical history for women and men released from Utah State Prison 1998–2002. Implications: While women generally have better recidivism outcomes than men, we find that SMI related factors have a greater negative effect on the trajectories of women in this sample as compared with the men. This suggests that programs and policies focused on the SMI-specific risks and needs of women could significantly reduce prison recidivism and increase community tenure for this group, with far-reaching effects for families and communities.

Abstract: Numerous scholars have noted that the majority of prisoners will be reincarcerated within three years of their release. However, while there has been extensive research on recidivism, much less attention has been paid to the reentry process in the sociological and criminological literature. Given the high rates of former prisoners reentering society with struggles that may affect their friends, family members, and communities, policymakers and practitioners should understand the successful methods for their reintegration. In this paper, we explore the conduits and barriers to reentry for a sample of San Bernardino county callers using United Way’s 211 Reentry Call Center from 2014-2015. We find that human needs resources (i.e. housing, clothes, and food assistance) and legal assistance are the two most frequently requested services. The callers in our sample have intersecting, disadvantaged identities and require multiple services which suggests a need for collaboration across agencies.

Abstract: We analyzed data collected for a large multi-site evaluation of 12 prisoner reentry programs in 12 states to examine the impact of pre-release services on time to rearrest and number of rearrests up to 56 months post-release for male offenders. A two-stage matching quasi-experimental design was used to define the comparison groups and multivariate models were used to examine the relationships among service and program receipt and recidivism. Participation in the reentry program was associated with longer time to arrest and fewer arrests after release. However, the specific services delivered as part of the program showed modest or inconsistent impacts on recidivism. Services that focused on individual change were more beneficial than services that focused on practical skills and needs. Practitioners should consider careful sequencing of program and service delivery in prison, linking in-prison services to post-release assistance, and evaluating all services and programs for fidelity and effectiveness.

Excerpt from Executive Summary: In 2008, the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA) awarded $2 million to the City of Newark to replicate the Prisoner Re-entry Initiative (PRI) model of services on a city-wide basis. The PRI model, intended to help ex-offenders make successful transitions to paid and stable employment, has been tested by ETA in 30 other sites nationally. It involves intensive case management, assistance with work readiness, job search, and job placement, and two unique features: 1) the provision of mentoring and 2) the use of faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) to deliver services. The Newark replication was intended to bring the PRI model to scale by funding multiple organizations in a single city, thus saturating a single site with re-entry services. The Newark Prisoner Re-entry Initiative Replication (NPRIR) also made use of substantial matching funding (approximately $2 million provided by the Nicholson Foundation) to further expand the reach of NPRIR.

Abstract: Objectives: While the economic model of crime suggests that improving post-prison labor market prospects should reduce recidivism, evaluations of previous employment-oriented re-entry programs have mixed results, possibly due to the multi-faceted challenges facing prisoners at the time of their release. We present an evaluation of an experiment that combines enhanced employment opportunities with wrap around services before and after release. Methods: This paper presents what we believe is the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a re-entry program that combines post-release subsidized work with 'reach-in' social services provided prior to release. The sample was 236 high-risk offenders in Milwaukee with a history of violence or gang involvement. Results: We observe increased employment rates and earnings during the period when ex-offenders are eligible for subsidized jobs, and these gains persist throughout the year. The intervention has significant effects ( p < 0.01) in reducing the likelihood of rearrest. The likelihood that the treatment group is re-imprisoned during the first year after release is lower than for controls (22 vs. 26 %) but the difference is not statistically significantly different from zero. Conclusions: The results of our RCT suggest that 'reach-in' services to help improve human capital of inmates prior to release, together with wrap around services following release, boosts employment and earnings, although whether there is sufficient impact on recidivism for the intervention to pass a benefit-cost test is more uncertain. Average earnings for both treatment and control groups were very low; legal work simply does not seem that important in the economic lives of released prisoners.

Excerpt from Summary: The number of people incarcerated in the United States grew steadily for nearly 30 years. That number has been slowly decreasing since 2008, but as of 2012 there were still over 2 million people incarcerated in prisons and jails across the country. The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reports that since 1990 an average of 590,400 inmates have been released annually from state and federal prisons and almost 5 million ex-offenders are under some form of community-based supervision.

Abstract: This article provides the results of a multi-year evaluation of one state's prison reentry program and its impact on the success of offender participants as measured by certain recidivism outcomes, defined here as yielding a positive urinalysis, returning to prison, and having a new conviction. Using propensity score matching, the recidivism outcomes of an equivalent comparison group are also presented. A discussion of the plausible reasons why reentry program participants returned to prison earlier and in greater numbers is provided, and recommendations for additional evaluation strategies are proposed.

Abstract: Youth with disabilities are significantly overrepresented in the juvenile justice system, yet they are generally less successful post-release in the domains of recidivism, school completion, and employment as compared to their nondisabled peers. The purpose of this literature review is to identify empirical transition practices that benefit youth with disabilities, who are at a high risk of incarceration and school dropout. Three types of practices were identified as effective in varying degrees on rates of recidivism and community engagement: the use of transition specialists, education and employment support, and mental health services. The implications for practice include extending transition services post-release, coordinating with outside agencies, and developing individualized programming for youth with disabilities based on their specific needs.

Excerpt from Executive Summary: The task of preparing prisoners for the challenges they will face outside the prison walls is a difficult one, made no less so by the pressure many correctional administrators feel to “do more with less” due to increasing populations coupled with dwindling budgets. While a comprehensive, holistic approach to reentry planning—addressing the needs of incarcerated persons from the moment of admission through the months following release—is clearly the “gold standard” toward which the field is progressing, a critical step in this process that has until now received relatively little attention deals with the preparation of an inmate for the hours and days immediately following his or her release from prison. Without access to food, clothing, shelter, transportation, personal identification, and other key necessities, former inmates may see no other option than to return to illegal activities in order to meet their needs. Thus, corrections agencies must prepare exiting prisoners for this period and work hand-in-hand with community service providers and agencies to ensure that prisoners receive needed resources and guidance after release. These efforts may make the difference between recidivism and successful transition to the community.

Excerpt: To assist policymakers and practitioners seeking to reduce recidivism and improve reentry outcomes for people transitioning back into their communities from incarceration, The Council of State Governments (CSG) established the Re-Entry Policy Council (RPC) in 2001. Prisoner reentry was identified as a particularly pressing issue at that time for several reasons: recidivism rates were high; corrections budgets had soared to accommodate increasing numbers of people in prisons and jails at a time when fiscal crises in most states were forcing cuts in critical services; and this significant growth in corrections spending had not resulted in increased public safety. The RPC had two specific goals: to develop bipartisan policies and principles for elected officials and other policymakers to consider as they evaluated reentry issues in their jurisdictions; and to facilitate coordination and information-sharing among organizations that were implementing reentry initiatives, researching trends, communicating about related issues, or funding projects.

Abstract: The article presents a study which argues that employment programs for individuals exiting prison can benefit society even if they do not directly reduce recidivism, by helping to identify quickly and efficiently those desisters who are ready to work, using signaling theory, a theory from labor economics. It discusses recent studies of criminal recidivism and studies that illustrate sorting or selection mechanisms in the evaluation of work programs.

Excerpt from Introduction: State and federal prisons have long provided programming to inmates during their confinement. Institutional programming encompasses a broad array of services and interventions, including substance abuse treatment, educational programming, and sex offender treatment. The objective of providing prisoners with programming is to improve their behavior, both before and after release from prison. Indeed, institutional programming is often intended to not only enhance public safety by lowering recidivism, but also to promote greater safety within prisons by reducing misconduct. Although U.S. correctional systems typically offer some programming opportunities within prisons, research suggests many prisoners do not participate in programming while incarcerated (Lynch & Sabol, 2001).

Abstract: Objective : This study evaluates the effects of time incarcerated on employment outcomes between a manualized vocational program, the About Face Vocational Program (AFVP), and a hybrid program of the AFVP and Individualized Placement and Support, Supported Employment (AFVP + IPS–SE). Method : Eighty-four veterans with the histories of felony convictions and a mental illness or a substance use disorder were randomly assigned to the AFVP or AFVP + IPS–SE conditions and followed for 6 months. The associations between time to employment and months incarcerated were evaluated using nonparametric tests. Findings : The number of months incarcerated was positively associated with time to employment in the hybrid AFVP + IPS–SE condition but not the AFVP condition. In addition, significant differences were found between employment rates of the groups at lower number of months incarcerated, with higher rates of employment in the hybrid AFVP + IPS–SE condition, becoming similar as months incarcerated increased. Conclusion and Implications for Practice : Number of months incarcerated may have a deleterious effect on employment rates when using IPS–SE.

Abstract: Objective: This study compared two vocational programs: the About Face Vocational Program (AFVP), a traditional group-based vocational program created for formerly incarcerated veterans, and a hybrid program combining the AFVP with principles of individual placement and support–supported employment. Methods: The study evaluated 111 veterans with at least one felony conviction who had a mental illness, substance use disorder, or both. Veterans were randomly assigned to either vocational condition. Results: Veterans in the hybrid condition, compared with the AFVP alone, were more likely to find employment, had higher rates of full-time employment, and earned significantly more money over the course of the study. A comparison of only participants who found employment showed higher rates of full-time employment for veterans in the hybrid condition but similarities between the two groups in other measures of employment success. Conclusions: Blended models of vocational services for veterans with mental illness, substance use disorders, or both are effective at returning formerly incarcerated veterans to competitive employment.

Abstract: Background: Academic literature and government initiatives have emphasised the importance of work as a means of improving health and reducing reoffending among offenders with mental disorders. Whilst a number of work skills programmes have shown promise for offenders more generally, evaluation of evidence for their effectiveness for those with a mental disorder is lacking, particularly in relation to improving employment outcomes. Aims: To assess the evidence on the effectiveness of work skills programmes for mentally disordered offenders. Method: A systematic review of the literature was conducted by searching the following databases: PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library (Trials Register), Embase and Medline, using search terms which included Work Skills Programme*, Offend* and Mental*. Any empirical comparison study of work skills programmes was included in this review. The primary outcome was employment. Secondary outcomes included employment outcomes, reoffending, education, mental state, substance misuse, global functioning, quality of life, acceptability, leaving the study early and cost effectiveness or other economic outcomes. Results: Six articles met the inclusion criteria. Collectively they provided limited evidence that work skills programmes increase the likelihood of people with mental disorder who are offenders obtaining employment in the short term, but there are insufficient studies to determine the long-term impact of work skills programmes. Conclusions: There is modest evidence to support inclusion of specific work skills programmes in the treatment of offenders with mental disorder. Future studies should be of theoretically driven programmes, such as Individual Placement Support (IPS), and use a standard set of relevant outcome measures and long enough follow-up for testing the effectiveness of any programme on engagement in competitive, paid employment as, even if skilled, offenders with mental disorder must constitute a hard to place group.

Abstract: With more than 200,000 veterans incarcerated, a significant need exists for the development of technologies that help veterans with felony histories return to employment. This study evaluated the effect of three methods of vocational assistance on competitive employment over a 6 mo follow-up period: (1) basic vocational services, (2) self-study using a vocational manual designed for formerly incarcerated veterans, and (3) a group led by vocational staff using the vocational manual. We evaluated 111 veterans for time to obtain and total time of competitive employment. The group format was expected to be superior to the self-study and the self-study superior to basic services. Findings indicated that the group format was associated with quicker employment and more total employment than the basic and self-study conditions. Limitations and directions for future refinement are discussed.

Abstract: With the high number of incarcerated veterans with mental illness and substance dependence returning to the community annually, a significant need exists for technologies that will help them return to employment. This study evaluates three methods of assistance: (1) basic vocational services, (2) self-study of a vocational manual designed for formerly incarcerated veterans, and (3) a group led by vocational staff using the vocational manual. We evaluated 69 veterans to determine the number finding employment within 3 months after enrollment in the study. The group format was expected to be superior to self-study, and self-study was expected to be superior to basic services. Though the group format was found to be superior to both self-study and basic services, the results for self-study and basic services were statistically similar. Limitations and directions for future refinement are discussed.

Abstract: The Michigan Department of Corrections operates the Vocational Villages, which are skilled trades training programs set within prisons that include an immersive educational community using virtual reality, robotics, and other technologies to develop employable trades. An enhancement to the Vocational Villages could be an evidence-based job interview training component. Recently, we conducted a series of randomized controlled trials funded by the National Institute of Mental Health to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality job interview training (VR-JIT). The results suggested that the use of VR-JIT was associated with improved job interview skills and a greater likelihood of receiving job offers within 6 months. The primary goal of this study is to report on the protocol we developed to evaluate the effectiveness of VR-JIT at improving interview skills, increasing job offers, and reducing recidivism when delivered within two Vocational Villages via a randomized controlled trial and process evaluation. Our aims are to: (1) evaluate whether services-as-usual in combination with VR-JIT, compared to services-as-usual alone, enhances employment outcomes and reduces recidivism among returning citizens enrolled in the Vocational Villages; (2) evaluate mechanisms of employment outcomes and explore mechanisms of recidivism; and (3) conduct a multilevel, mixed-method process evaluation of VR-JIT implementation to assess the adoptability, acceptability, scalability, feasibility, and implementation costs of VR-JIT.

Abstract: Researchers have found providing employment opportunities for ex-offenders through job training programs to be effective at reducing recidivism. Examining various community-based programs for ex-offenders can be beneficial as they may be able to provide more stable and consistent programming without relying on the justice system. This study examined employment outcomes of graduates with and without criminal histories ( n = 617) from a community-based vocational training program. Results showed that ex-offender graduates obtained employment at equal rates to nonoffender graduates and received equal pay to their nonoffender counterparts. This could indicate that for the vocationally educated ex-offender, employment outcomes may be able to equal those of other job-searching individuals with similar backgrounds but without a criminal history. Community-based programs for ex-offenders may be able to provide effective programming to improve vocational attainment within this group, thereby potentially easing the burden on criminal justice institutions as the sole provider of offender rehabilitation.

Abstract: In the U.S. prison system, incarcerated persons with a disability represent a largely marginalized population with limited or inadequate provision of services in prison. In general, once released, ex-offenders face a number of challenges when they reenter society ranging from access to housing, employment, health care, and substance use services. These challenges are generally exacerbated for incarcerated persons with a disability. Overall, there is a dearth of research on rates of vocational services utilization among incarcerated persons with a disability. Using data from the Rehabilitation Services Administration for 30,170 inmates, the results indicate that inmates with cognitive and physical disabilities have the lowest utilization of vocational services overall and across all types of services (educational, job, disability, and other). Furthermore, vocational service utilization varies based on the nature of the disability suggesting distinct programming needs for each group. Implications for access to vocational rehabilitation services and current reentry programming for incarcerated persons with a disability are discussed.

Abstract: Background: Minimal attention has been given to the perspectives and experiences of individuals post incarceration regarding stigma and its impact on reintegration and occupational engagement. This research aimed to understand how stigma is experienced among individuals who were formerly incarcerated and its influence on occupational engagement, specifically social participation, work, and school occupations. This research also examined the role of occupational therapy as an intervention in addressing stigma from the perspectives of individuals who were formerly incarcerated to inform practice and mitigate the influence of stigma. Method: Interviews were conducted with 10 participants of a work rehabilitation program for people who had previously been incarcerated. A thematic analysis was performed to identify major themes. Themes were organized into concept maps related to stigma as experienced by those who were formerly incarcerated. Results: Four overarching themes emerged. These themes, internal and external perceptions, and family and community systems, served to enable as well as disable the impact of stigma on daily life post incarceration. Conclusion: The themes presented increased the understanding of stigma as experienced by individuals who were formerly incarcerated and supported the need for further research and occupational therapy programming specifically aimed at minimizing the impact of stigma.

Abstract: The article discusses the evaluation of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), a transitional job program aimed at assisting ex-convicts acquire earnings and work experience soon after release, to determine its effect on employment and recidivism for program participants. Results suggest that the CEO has a short-term impact on employment, mostly propelled by the subsidized transitional jobs. Nonetheless, the program has long-lasting effects on the rate of recidivism for participants.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) provides counseling, training, job placement, assistive technology and other support services to people with disabilities. VR counselors work to find employment consistent with their client's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice. In order for VR counselors to be successful and effective in providing these services, it is important to know the client's full history. A great number of VR clients have criminal histories or have been adjudicated for crimes committed. According to the RSA-911 Technical Report, however criminal history is not a part of the VR national scope. OBJECTIVE: The following article discusses howthe omission of criminal history has and will continue to have a significant impact on those clients in securing employment; and indirectly, affecting the success rate of VR. CONCLUSIONS: Suggestions for how to include criminal history are also included.

Abstract: Although the association between unemployment and offending is well established, relatively little is known about the impact of vocational education and training programs on re-offending, with much of the previous work in this area failing to control for, or correct, selection bias. This article reports the findings of a systematic review, which considers the findings of only those studies that have used experimental or quasi-experimental designs to evaluate vocational training and employment program outcomes for adult offenders. The analysis identifies key features, based on these studies, of those programs associated with the best outcomes and recommends selection criteria for those who are most likely to benefit from prison vocational education and training.

Abstract: Objective: This study evaluated the six-month outcomes of incorporating the principles of supported employment, specifically Individual Placement and Support (IPS), into the About Face program, an existing standardized group-based vocational program for previously incarcerated veterans. Methods: Participants (N=84) with a history of at least one felony conviction and a substance use disorder (88%) or mental illness or combination (59%) were recruited from a large urban veterans hospital. Veterans were randomly assigned to either the About Face program (AF) or to that program plus a modification of IPS (AF+IPS). Veterans were followed for six months. Employment outcomes, including time to employment, hours worked, and income earned, were evaluated with survival analyses and nonparametric tests. Results: Rates of employment over the follow-up period were significantly higher for those receiving AF+IPS, with 21 of 46 (46%) finding employment, compared with only eight of 38 (21%) who received AF alone. As a group, those receiving AF+IPS worked more hours and earned more wages than those receiving AF alone. Conclusions: Incorporating many of the principles and techniques of IPS into an existing vocational program was associated with improved employment outcomes over the six-month follow-up period and should be considered a viable rehabilitation option when working with this vulnerable population.

Excerpt from Executive Summary: This report is the first in a series of four final reports and several research briefs that present the findings of the Longitudinal Study of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Program, a study that RTI is conducting for the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), U.S. Department of Education, under Contract No. HR92022001. The broad purpose of the study is to assess the performance of the state-federal VR services program in assisting eligible individuals with disabilities to achieve positive, sustainable economic and noneconomic outcomes as a result of their receipt of VR services. This report examines the extent to which demographic and other characteristics of individuals with disabilities affect their access to and receipt of VR services, as well as the outcomes of those services.

Abstract: Purpose: This article outlines findings from a sample of 137 vocational rehabilitation counselors regarding their stigmatizing attitudes, burnout levels, work experience, caseload composition, and working alliance with clients who have a range of disabilities and a criminal history. Method: Electronic surveys were sent to vocational rehabilitation counselors in 3 states who met the following criteria: counselors with a master's degree, counselors with diverse and active caseloads, and counselors from geographically diverse states. Data were analyzed using 2-tailed correlation analysis and subsequent regression analysis. Results: VR counselors with more ex-offenders on their caseloads did not have higher stigma or burnout but, surprisingly, did have stronger working alliance. Conclusion: Findings support further research to confirm if specialized caseloads comprised of clients with criminal histories enhance working alliances among VR counselors.

Abstract: Following incarceration, women face unique challenges in returning to their communities and seeking employment. This qualitative study used interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the lived experiences of previously incarcerated women as they participated in It's More Than a Job Club, Sister, a spiritually integrated career intervention, and subsequently sought employment. The following 4 superordinate themes emerged describing this experience: (a) It was more than a job club; (b) God gave me a second chance: the impact of faith on recovery and employment; (c) barriers to employment; and (d) looking ahead. The findings indicate the need for a strengths-based approach to career intervention that builds upon existing skills and emphasizes identity exploration, uncovering core beliefs and vocational values, bridging the gap between goals and barriers, and leveraging interpersonal skills. The findings also indicate that career counseling with female returning citizens is enhanced by incorporating attention to the role of substance abuse/recovery and by attending to the intersection of calling and vocation.

Abstract: Within correctional settings, career development interventions focus on teaching employment skills to offenders to help them obtain work in the community. However, ongoing changes in labor market trends affect job insecurity and, thus, criminal recidivism. This article first reviews some of the existing career development interventions used with offender populations. The authors then suggest that a more dynamic approach to career development-with offenders embracing the paradoxical complexities of making career decisions that incorporate notions of flexibility, change, chance, curiosity, and hope-is needed to ensure successful transitions to the community.

Excerpt from Overview: Increasingly, rehabilitation counselors and job placement specialists find themselves working with persons with disabilities who also have criminal backgrounds. The presence of a disability may allow ex-offenders to apply and qualify for VR services. As a group, ex-offenders, especially those in rural settings, possess both unique individual and community characteristics that deny them access to traditional avenues of employment (Harley & Feist-Price, 2014). A criminal record limits opportunities for employment. In addition, employers' attitudes and hiring practices influence employment outcomes of ex-offenders. According to the Housing Assistance Council (2011), ex-offenders reentering rural communities are faced with specific housing challenges including a short supply of rental and transitional units, housing that is suppressed by quality and affordability constraints, the composition of rental housing that is typically single-family homes or small multifamily structures, and older or manufactured housing. Although employment is a significant predictor of future success of ex-offenders, addressing the offender's antisocial attitudes, criminogenic beliefs, peer groups, and personality patterns is equally important (Justice Center, The Council of State Governments, 2013).

Abstract: Offender rehabilitation has received widespread attention in the field of criminology. However, researchers have often overlooked its effects on an important demographic in prison—offenders with disabilities. Relying on data from the Rehabilitation Services Administration, the current study examines the success of vocational rehabilitation services in securing employment for offenders with disabilities postrelease. Results suggest an overall positive relationship between using any type of rehabilitation service and a successful employment outcome postrelease. Further, utilizing vocational rehabilitation services show a consistent and positive relationship with a successful employment outcome for offenders with disabilities postrelease. Study limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

Abstract: Supporting returning veterans’ job-seeking, hiring, and retention issues has become an essential goal for effective community reintegration. Given both the particular strengths and challenges associated with veterans transitioning from military to civilian life, multiple models for supported employment have become integrated into Veterans Affairs health care facilities across the nation. In this article, we review the state of vocational rehabilitation for veterans, with a particular focus on individual placement and support—supported employment (IPS-SE), the current vocational services model that is considered the gold standard of vocational rehabilitation. Various modifications to the IPS-SE model are presented, including additions such as cognitive rehabilitation, contingency management, motivational interviewing, supported self-employment, and transitional work. Finally, recommendations are made about future directions and strategies to expand access to IPS-SE-based programs and to effectively meet the needs of returning veterans for employment in jobs of their choice.

Abstract: Almost 2.3 million people are incarcerated in correctional facilities across the United States. More than 95% of this population will be released to return to society at some time. People returning from prison can be at a disadvantage as they compete for work. They might be challenged by known barriers to employment, like restrictions on work opportunities and powerful stigma, resulting in asocial problem. While some correctional facilities provide vocational services, 75% or more of citizens returning to U.S. communities from prison cannot obtain sustainable wage employment. Yet, it appears there is little research illuminating the pathways used by people who have attained sustainable wages after incarceration. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to describe the diverse perceptions and experiences of formerly incarcerated citizens to learn if and how they used vocational services to obtain employment. Person-centered counseling philosophy and the theory of career choice framed this study. Telephone interviews with six case participants who obtained sustainable employment after at least one year in prison provided rich subjective data. Content and thematic analysis resulted in the emergence of six overarching themes. The themes indicated that, to supplement education, technical skills, and work experience, formerly incarcerated citizens developed virtuous qualities to acquire sustainable work. The case study results may contribute to social change by providing knowledge about supporting citizens returning from prison for individual, family, and community well-being.

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether vocational supports for emerging adults with serious mental health conditions who are at high risk for rearrest are more effectively served within Multisystemic Therapy for Emerging Adults (MST-EA) through vocationally enhanced MST-EA Coaches or through referral to state vocational rehabilitation services. Method: A pilot randomized controlled trial examined two MST-EA Coaching approaches. In the Standard Coach + VR condition (n = 16), MST-EA Coaches delivered standard skills curricula to participants and referred them to state vocational rehabilitation (VR) services for vocational supports. In the Vocational Coach (VC) condition (n = 16), MST-EA Coaches delivered the standard skills curricula enhanced with extensive education/employment components. Analyses included pre- to posttreatment comparisons of vocational outcomes, and between groups comparisons of fidelity, satisfaction, and services utilization. Results: Those in the VC condition had a 12-fold increase in the odds of posttreatment vocational activity compared with those in the Standard Coach + VR condition (92.9 vs. 57.1% employed or in school, respectively). Subgroup analyses of those who engaged in Coaching showed that there was specifically an increase in the odds of posttreatment educational engagement among those in the VC condition compared with those in Standard Coach + VR. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Based on the strength of the findings in this small pilot study the VC should be included in future clinical trials of MST-EA to maximize treatment impact for supporting emerging adult vocational functioning and thus reducing antisocial behavior.

Excerpt from Abstract: Vocational guidance and career counseling is the primary service provided to all applicants applying for vocational rehabilitation services. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors specialize in helping people with a disability acquire employment. Yet, when the person has a disability and a criminal record this adds an additional element for consideration. The object of this research is Louisiana vocational rehabilitation counselors in the Baton Rouge Regional Office (BRRO) and their vocational guidance and career counseling skills of people with a disability and a criminal record. For vocational rehabilitation counselors are required to apply theoretically-based career counseling practices in the provision of vocational guidance and career counseling. The expected outcome is the agreement of an employment goal between both the person with a disability and a criminal record and the VR counselor. The purpose of this qualitative research study is to explore the perceptions and actual experiences of vocational rehabilitation counselors in their usage of career theories when providing vocational guidance and career counseling to with people with a disability and a criminal record.

Abstract: Lack of employment is an important barrier to successful reintegration encountered by those released from prison with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders. This study compares 3 different vocational reintegration modalities for a veteran population: (a) basic services; (b) self-study using the About Face Vocational Manual; and (c) the About Face Vocational Program, a standardized group program focused on the About Face Vocational Manual. One-hundred eleven veterans with a history of at least one felony conviction and a mental illness and/or substance use disorder were recruited from a large urban Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center. Veterans were assigned to 1 of the 3 conditions and followed for 12 months. At the end of the 1-year follow-up period, veterans in the group condition had superior competitive and stable employment rates, as well as faster times to employment compared with both the basic and self-study conditions. The self-study condition was generally indistinguishable from the basic services condition. Overall, new employment during the last 6 months of the follow-up period was relatively low. The findings support the use of standardized group vocational reintegration programs such as the About Face Vocational Program. Limitations and implications are discussed.