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Leticia Ross
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Mental Health Services for Women transitioning from Incarceration back to their Families

Employment Experiences for Women Transitioning from Incarceration Back Home to Durham, NC

Research PaperExecutive SummaryPresentation Slides

Introduction

Every year an average of 700 formerly incarcerated residents return to Durham with women representing an approximately 8% of these residents. Many formerly incarcerated women seek employment opportunities after release with financial obligations both to their families as caregivers and to the justice system, including fees for probation, lawyers, andrestoration. Gainful employmentimproves the reentry experience, reduces the likelihood of recidivism, and for some women is vital to their identitiesd uring this period of adjustment. The intersection of race, socioeconomic status, and other identities may exacerbate gender inequality for justice involved women, thereby impairing their employment possibilities.

  • Existing programs for justice-involved individuals in Durham are actively engaged in increasing employment among residents recently released from incarceration, with several initiatives established within the past two years.
  • Employment services and resources include employment readiness programs, job placement,childcare, and transportation. Moreover, some of these programs work with justice-involved individuals prior to their release in preparation for their return.
  • Despite the plethora of employment services, none targeted or tailored their services to women.
  • Also, the research found that despite gender inclusive language, some initiatives provided employment opportunities in male dominated labor markets.
  • Employment-related barriers for justice involved women, gender inequalities in the work force,educational opportunities,and the intersection of race and gender present barriers to justice involved women’s prospectsfor gainful employment.

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Policy Reccomendations

Include intersectional and gender-specific interventions for justice-involved women

To address their unique experiences and barriers to seeking employment to increase employability in industries that have been traditionally male dominated and/or that offer full-time hours and higher pay within the Criminal Justice Resource Center

Expand educational opportunities

For incarcerated women in the Durham County Detention Facility to include feasible coursework in collaboration with Durham Technical Community College for post-secondary education credits