Transitional Employment for Returning Residents: Final Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial

• In Event: Post-Conviction Pathways: Exploring Employment and Support Mechanisms and Experiences

Abstract

Prior literature suggests that obtaining legitimate employment is crucial to the successful reintegration of individuals returning to the community from incarceration. This study presents the final results from an outcome evaluation of a reentry program that provided transitional employment to moderate- to high-risk returning residents with low employability. Between 2018 and 2021, individuals released from incarceration who returned to one southern county, volunteered for the reentry program, and met eligibility criteria were randomized into the treatment or control group. Using bivariate and multivariate analyses, I examine recidivism and employment outcomes. While significant differences in recidivism rates between the treatment and control groups did not emerge, recidivism rates were substantially lower than national estimates. Further, individuals who obtained permanent employment during the follow-up period and those who obtained employment following their participation in the transitional employment program had lower odds of recidivating. Even though participation in the transitional employment program itself did not significantly reduce recidivism, there were no harmful effects documented throughout the evaluation. Moreover, results from the study are encouraging in other key respects and provide policy implications and opportunities for improvement of transitional employment programs at both the local and national level.

Author

• Cassandra Atkin-Plunk, Florida Atlantic University