Using Implementation Science to Evaluate the Delivery of Virtual Reality Job Interview Training in A Prison-Based Employment Readiness Program

• In Event: Leveraging Technology to Enhance Employment Outcomes upon Re-Entry

Abstract

Objective: Virtual reality-job interview training (VR-JIT) improves employment outcomes for a nationally-recognized prison-based trades-focused employment program in Michigan called the Vocational Villages. We used the Reach Effectiveness-Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework to conduct a multi-level mixed methods initial process evaluation of VR-JIT.
Method: Prison administrators and staff (n=7) were surveyed and interviewed. Returning citizens (n=57) completed surveys (with open-ended questions) to evaluate their perceptions of VR-JIT and its delivery. Descriptive statistics and thematic network analysis characterized the quantitative and qualitative data, which were integrated using triangulation.
Results: Quantitative analyses revealed that administrators and staff perceived VR-JIT as highly acceptable and appropriate for prison-based employment programs; which were confirmed via thematic network analysis of participants’ qualitative interview data. Also, staff reported implementing VR-JIT with high fidelity; while identifying multiple implementation barriers and facilitators. Quantitatively, returning citizens perceived VR-JIT as acceptable and usable, which was confirmed via thematic network analysis of open-ended data.
Impact: As prisons operate with limited resources and staffing (due to recovery from COVID-19), using implementation science to enhance our knowledge of VR-JIT delivery will help increase its adoption and maintenance. Moreover, results will inform future studies comparing different implementation strategies seeking to optimize VR-JIT delivery.

Authors

• Justin D Smith, University of Utah

• James Merle, University of Utah

• Meghan Harrington, University of Michigan

• Brittany Ross, University of Michigan

• Apara Sharma, University of Michigan

• Lady Funcke, University of Michigan

• Jennifer E. Johnson, Michigan State University

• Aaron Suganuma, Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office

• Morris Bell, Yale School of Medicine

• Gary Cuddeback, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Neil Jordan, Northwestern University

• Kyle Kaminski, Michigan Department of Corrections

• Brian Friedman, Michigan Department of Corrections

• Daniel Seal, Michigan Department of Corrections

• Pamela Kryscio, Michigan Department of Corrections

• Sheryl Kubiak, Wayne State University

• Matthew J. Smith, University of Michigan