Implementation Preparation Costs of Virtual Reality Job Interview Training in Prisons: A Budget Impact Analysis

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

Abstract

Objective: Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) significantly improved employment when delivered in two prison-based RCTs. However, implementation preparation costs prior to offering VR-JIT to returning citizens is unknown. Thus, we estimated the cost of implementation preparation activities (e.g., workflow) for two prisons to deliver VR-JIT.

Data/Methods: Three prison administrators, two teaching staff, hree information technology specialists, and six research team members recorded their labor hours when preparing the prisons to deliver VR-JIT. We conducted a budget impact analysis and enumerated the labor costs incurred during this stage of implementation.

Results: Labor costs were approximately $8,847 per prison. Fifty-five percent of labor costs were from meetings and correspondence to plan delivery and purchasing computers. Remaining labor included computer setup (20.5%), training staff (18.3%), and developing VR-JIT documentation (16.7%). Sensitivity analyses estimated the labor costs to replicate this effort in new prisons ranged from $2,877 to $4,306.

Conclusions/Implications: VR-JIT may be affordable for prison programs seeking to improve employment. Estimated costs to prepare for VR-JIT delivery may increase or decrease depending on prison-specific labor costs (e.g., size, salaries). Administrators can use these estimates to inform decision-making for future VR-JIT adoption.

Authors

• Elizabeth Danielson, Northwestern University

• Matthew J. Smith, University of Michigan

• Brittani Parham, University of Michigan

• Brittany Ross, University of Michigan

• Jennifer E. Johnson, Michigan State University

• Gary Cuddeback, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Justin D Smith, University of Utah

• Dean McGregor, Michigan Department of Corrections

• Aaron Suganuma, Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office

• Neil Jordan, Northwestern University