After you have completed your prison sentence, you have a journey ahead of you.
Gaining a foothold in your life after incarceration takes work. One of your main objectives will likely be to secure employment. And this could also be one of the most challenging endeavors you face.
An ideal way to separate yourself from other job applicants is to have a learned skill set.
Enrolling in vocational programs in prisons is an excellent avenue to take. You can learn about different vocations and basic skills to show prospective employers that you would be a good fit.
Stratford Career Institute offers over 60 introductory programs where you can follow various career paths. Stratford has enrolled over 20,000 incarcerated individuals since 1991.
We have experience in providing distance learning education for incarcerated individuals. Read on and learn more about vocational training for prisoners.
What Are Vocational Training Programs?
Vocational training programs teach students the skills necessary to learn a particular trade or craft, such as small engine repair or gardening.
Vocational training programs in prison primarily aim to provide skills to incarcerated individuals. After their incarceration ends, they may be more likely to secure employment with their vocational training.
What Is the Importance of Vocational Training in Prison?
There are many reasons why an inmate should consider enrolling in vocational programs in prisons. These reasons can include more employment opportunities, recidivism, and increased self-esteem.
More Employment Opportunities
Employment after your release from incarceration is essential. However, it can be difficult for former inmates to secure meaningful employment.
Many times, the employment history before incarceration is not consistent. Thus, there is no robust employment history. It is tough to secure a job without a strong employment history. This is true even for non-incarcerated individuals.
Judging a potential employee’s character and work demeanor is hard without looking into their past employment history. This means it can be even more difficult for formerly incarcerated individuals to obtain employment.
In a 2008 study of formerly incarcerated individuals, the Prison Policy Initiative found that the unemployment rate was 27.3% compared to slightly over 5% of the general population.
However, enrolling in vocational training programs can help you overcome this obstacle. The RAND Corporation found that formerly incarcerated individuals have a 13% higher chance of employment if they took an academic or vocational program.
Thus, vocational programs are critical for incarcerated individuals. You can be more marketable as a job applicant with new education and training.
And enrolling in these courses can also show that you want to turn your life around and make a change in your life. This is crucial when potential employers try to ascertain your behavior and character.
Vocational Training Programs Help to Curb Recidivism
Recidivism refers to the tendency for a formerly incarcerated individual to commit another crime. According to the RAND Corporation, four out of every ten incarcerated individuals return to prison within three years. This is problematic as 40% of incarcerated individuals repeat the same cycle.
Vocational training has decreased the recidivism rate in formerly incarcerated individuals, thereby breaking the cycle. The RAND Corporation found that individuals who participated in education programs while in prison had a 43% less chance of recidivism than those who did not.
Boosts Your Self-Esteem and Morale
Your time spent in incarceration is probably one of the most challenging things in your life. You are separated from your loved ones and may be questioning what you should do next.
Taking vocational training programs in prison can help to restore your sense of purpose. You’re not just taking a course to learn about a trade or profession.
You are taking a course to begin a new life and support yourself and your family. This renewal of confidence in your life will also show when you go on job interviews once you are released.
Benefits of Stratford Career Institute’s Correspondence Courses
Since 1991, over 20,000 incarcerated individuals have enrolled in one of our affordable vocational courses.
Popular programs include:
Whether you choose print or online options, a ll textbooks and study guides are included. No technology is required if you choose the print option.
Contact Stratford Career Institute and Start Your Inmate Education Today
Stratford Career Institute was established over three decades ago in 1991. Our introductory vocational programs can give you the basic skill set to pursue new employment opportunities once you have served your sentence.
Enroll in one of our many courses today or contact us to learn more about how we can help you get your fresh start. Your new journey begins now!
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