U.S. Department of Justice

Transition and Offender Workforce Development

The Transition and Offender Workforce Development Division (TOWDD) was created to coordinate the efforts of federal, state, local, and non-profit agencies to improve employment programs for offenders and ex-offenders. The division assists corrections professionals who provide direct services to offenders and ex-offenders.
The Transition and Offender Workforce Division:
  • Collects and disseminates information on offender employment programs.
  • Provides training for staff who provide employment services to offenders and ex-offenders.
  • Provides assistance to state and local agencies for improving job training, placement, and retention services for offenders.
  • Develops partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies to provide offender workforce development training in their home jurisdictions.


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Doug Burris, Chief U.S. Probation Officer for the Eastern District of Missouri, talks about his district's involvement in the Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) training program and the impact it has made on employment rates and revocation rates. The video is best viewed in Internet Explorer.

Direct Link: http://community.nicic.gov/files/folders/4991/download.aspx

Recommended Reading

Date Title Type
2011

NIC Publication
A description of the Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) Partnership Training Program is provided. “This administrative guide provides an overview of the training program, including its benefits and requirements…and information needed to... Read More
PDF
2011

NIC Publication
Results from an ongoing evaluation project on the effectiveness of offender workforce development (OWD) services are presented. “Drug and alcohol abuse and/or not continuing substance abuse treatment was identified as almost a universal barrier to po... Read More
PDF
2006

NIC Publication
"OES: Building Bridges" is a training program featuring a variety of OES (Offender Employment Specialist) professionals in jails, prisons, probation and parole, community corrections, community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations. Thes... Read More
2005

NIC Publication
A collection of resources for use in a correctional facility Career Center is provided on these 3 computer disks. Contents include (1) a computer assisted Career Clerk training program. Modules of this course are: what the job of a Career Clerk is; ... Read More
2010

NIC Publication
“This bulletin highlights the ways career resource centers are being used in jails , prisons, and community supervision offices to improve the long-term employment prospects of offenders” (p.1). Sections of this publication include: common elements o... Read More
2008

NIC Publication
Each year, more and more employers are requiring job applicants to apply online or at a computer kiosk. Offenders in prisons, jails, parole and probation offices, faith-based agencies, and community-based organizations can use this CD-ROM to practice... Read More
ZIP
2009

NIC Publication
Vermont’s Workforce Development Program is highlighted. Topics discussed include: creating a unique culture; the program’s core—a workforce development culture; Habits of Mind curriculum; workplace application; evidence of effectiveness; program repl... Read More
PDF
2009

NIC Publication
“This instructional disk is intended to provide you with a comprehensive overview of Labor Market Information (LMI) and give you the informational tools to increase short-term and long-term employment outcomes for the offenders under your supervision... Read More
2008

NIC Publication
This 3-hour program, originally broadcast August 2008, focused on the history and benefits of correctional industries and ways to balance competing interests. Employment is a critical factor in successful reentry. Career assistance, life skills, and ... Read More
2010

NIC Publication
“The purpose of this bulletin is to explore the literature and summarize the empirical evidence related to the impact of employment on the criminal behavior of women” (p. 2). Sections comprising this publication are: female offender demographics; bar... Read More
PDF
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Available Training Opportunities

  • Available Online - Workforce Development and Women Offenders
    This e-course is intended for individuals working or volunteering in prisons, jails, community corrections, community and faith-based organizations, U.S. Department of Labor One-Stops, and other governmental organizations such as health and human services who are interested in workforce development issues specific to women offenders.
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