SJC Exchange Library

For the 95 percent of people in state prisons who will eventually be released and the many others who are returning to communities from local jails, employment can play a critical role in preventing recidivism—but jurisdictions often lack the resources and coordination to effectively connect people with the necessary services to improve employability.

To find solutions, The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center conducted a three-year pilot project to test out the Integrated Reentry and Employment Strategies (IRES) framework in SJC sites Milwaukee County, WI, and Palm Beach County, FL. The IRES framework aims to connect people leaving incarceration to the right reentry and employment services at the right intensity at the right time to reduce their chance of recidivating and improve employment readiness.

In this webinar, participants learn about best practices on collaborative case planning and how to better integrate the efforts of corrections and workforce development systems to reduce recidivism and improve employment outcomes. Guest speakers include variety of perspectives from the two pilot sites.

Speakers:

• Erica Nelson, Corrections and Reentry Project Manager, Council of State Governments Justice Center
• Jessica Hidalgo, Reentry Program Coordinator, Palm Beach County Public Safety Department
• Orie Bullard, Director, The Re-Entry Center
• Ray Woodruff, Employment Programs Manager, Division of Adult Institutions, Wisconsin Department of Corrections
• Niel Thoreson, Regional Chief, Division of Community Corrections, Wisconsin Department of Corrections
• Robert Cherry, Vice President of Planning & Fund Development, Employ Milwaukee Workforce Development