Assessing the Influence of Career Technical Education (CTE)/Industry-Based Certification (IBC) Programming on Local Reentry Ecosystems

• In Event: Prison Based Programming and Outcomes in Reentry

Abstract

Through the 2018 Second Chance Act Adult Reentry and Employment Strategic (ARES) Planning Program administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections (LA DPS&C) has sought to develop strategic public safety initiatives which utilize comprehensive, collaborative, and multisystemic approaches to reduce recidivism by enhancing post-release employment success among returning citizens. Such initiatives are required to examine current institutional practices to propose data-driven solutions ensuring the successful transition of returning citizens from LA DPS&C facilities to Louisiana communities. Given the association of career technical education with post-release employment success and reduced recidivism, it is essential to determine the alignment of such efforts with labor market needs.

The current study leverages ten BJG regions to develop a series of regional and parish-specific Louisiana Local Reentry Ecosystems (LREs) assessing: a) historic and future trajectories of the Louisiana labor force returning citizens enter upon release; b) the alignment of Career Technical Education (CTE) and Industry-Based Certification (IBC) programming with projected Louisiana labor markets; and c) the influence of CTE and IBC programming on pre- and post-release educational, occupational, and behavioral outcomes. Research efforts culminated in the creation of a Tableau dashboard for correctional administrators.

Authors

• Timothy Thomas Reling, Mississippi State University - NSPARC

• Yanbing Tang, Mississippi State University - NSPARC

• Veronika Allen, Mississippi State University - NSPARC

• Mounica Irrinki, Mississippi State University - NSPARC

• Robert Vehock, Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections