All the prison systems in the United States should devise an educational and vocational training program, allowing for effective transition into the society. Most of the prisoners, upon release, tend to struggle with the efforts to get employment and become productive members of the society. Some struggle because they lack the necessary skills to facilitate their employability. The employers are always seeking to employ people with skills and expertise which must be developed through training (Duwe & Clark, 2014). Without the employment, some of the prisoners go back to crime which takes them back to prison. It is for this reason that an educational and vocational training program would play an important role as part of the transition from the prison to the society. The program will provide them with the necessary skills to allow them to get employment.
The program will provide the meaningful skills for the inmates who are being prepared to re-enter the society. They will not only have the skills but also have the confidence to search for the jobs because there is something they have to offer the workplace and society in general. The program should begin when one enters the system and continue until the time of the release preparing them for the challenging work after prison (Duwe & Clark, 2014). Besides the vocational training, the prisoners can be trained in other areas such as résumé writing, job search, and job retention, which are important aspects of the modern day labor market. For the prisoners, employment will make them productive, allow them to acquire the means for providing for their needs and prevent them from recidivism. The society will benefit from the additional workforce and in crime reduction.
Parole Interview
Question: do you take accountability for the Crime?
Answer: I take full responsibility for my crime and the effect it had on my victim and the society.
Taking responsibility for the crime shows that the parolee understands the ramifications for his actions which are a positive indicator of change. The offenders are better placed to avoid the same actions that they have received punishment for (Kita, 2012).
Question: why do you think you have changed?
Answer: I believe that the time I have served has given me the chance to make major positive changes. I have realized the effects of my mistakes and will not go back there.
This is a motivational question to determine the readiness of the parolee to return to the community. It is necessary to establish the level of positive change in the parolee (Tewksbury & Connor, 2012).
Question: do you think you are ready to face the people within your community:
Answer: I have made amends for my crime and not ashamed of being an important part of my community once again.
It is important to establish the level of effectiveness in integrating back to the community without which the parolee is most likely to go back to crime (Tewksbury & Connor, 2012).
Question: what is your plan in case you are released?
Answer: I have gained skills while within the prison that will enable me to get a job and make a positive contribution to my community.
It is important to know whether the parolee has a positive plan upon release to rule out the possibility of going back to crime (Kita, 2012).
Question: what are the living arrangements?
Answer: I will go back to live with my parents after which I will find a place of my own once I get a good job and become acceptable to society.
The living arrangement after prison is very important to ensure that the offender does not place himself in danger of re-offending (Kita, 2012).
References
Duwe, G., & Clark, V. (2014). The effects of prison-based educational programming on recidivism and employment. The Prison Journal, 94(4), 454-478.
Tewksbury, R., & Connor, D. P. (2012). Predicting the outcome of parole hearings. Age (Mean), 67, 32-6.
Kita, E. (2012). Public safety, psychological security: an exploratory study of how California parole agents experience their work.