Older adults returning to society after incarceration face many barriers to employment upon reentry. VANTAGE has teamed up with state partners to address the issue and help released individuals successfully find work.
The impact of conviction
The negative effects of a conviction rarely end when a person has completed their criminal sentence. A complex web of local, state, and federal statutes and regulations—known as collateral consequences of conviction—can make it all but impossible for some people with criminal records to truly rebuild their lives.
While these consequences can affect everything from housing to public benefit eligibility, no area is more impacted than the ability to find and retain meaningful employment. Nationally, 72 percent of all collateral consequences impact employment opportunities.
The overwhelming majority of employment-related consequences persist indefinitely, at 83%.
An analysis by the Prison Policy Initiative shows that formerly incarcerated people are unemployed at a rate of over 27% — higher than the total U.S. unemployment rate during any historical period, including the Great Depression.
Second Chance Month
April 25 through May 1, 2021 is National Reentry Week and designed to raise awareness of the importance of successful reentry.
As part of A Proclamation on Second Chance Month 2021, the Biden Administration is clear on its goals for formerly incarcerated individuals: “We must remove [reentry] barriers. Every person leaving incarceration should have housing, the opportunity at a decent job, and health care. A person’s conviction history should not unfairly exclude them from employment, occupational licenses, access to credit, public benefits, or the right to vote. Certain criminal records should be expunged and sealed so people can overcome their past.”
The Proclamation is further supported by the reauthorization of the Older American Act (OAA) by Congress where returned citizens have been identified as a priority population. VANTAGE’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) has been responsive to the unique challenges faced by restored citizens.
Senior Community Service Employment Program
The Senior Community Service Employment Program is a paid work-based job training program for older Americans. Participants work an average of 20 hours a week and are paid the minimum wage. Participants must be at least 55, unemployed, and have a family income of no more than 125% of the federal poverty level.
Vantage and its state partners have developed a pilot project partnership with Grafton Corrections’ Reintegration Center that has led to a larger collaboration with the Ohio Department of Aging, the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services’ Ohio Means Jobs division, and the Ohio Rehabilitation and Corrections Department to expand SCSEP into One Stop Centers located in correctional facilities.
Incarcerated SCSEP participants earn wages during their assignment, allowing them savings to support their transition back to the community. The restored citizen will also have a continuous relationship with VANTAGE SCSEP upon release in one of Vantage Aging’s service area communities.
“We champion National Reentry Week as an opportunity to bring more visibility to the challenges restored citizens face when reconnecting and reintegrating into their communities,” said SCSEP Director Kate Harkin. “Ohio’s commitment to serving the needs of restored citizens can be seen in our innovative partnership with the Office on Aging, the Department of Job and Family Services, and ODRC. Together we aim to equip restored citizens with the tools they need to succeed when transitioning back into their communities.”
Milton’s story
Milton Cotton entered VANTAGE’s SCSEP program (formerly Mature Services) on January 16, 2017 as part of a new pilot program with Grafton Re-integration. This new program has VANTAGE partnered up with Grafton’s Re-integration Program to assist seniors who are being released from prison to adjust back into society by helping them develop job skills.
Milton came highly recommended by the staff at Grafton Correctional Institute. Upon Milton’s release, he was assigned to Another Chance of Ohio as a maintenance/custodial intern where his impact was felt immediately.
Milton’s vast knowledge in the maintenance/custodial field was vital in revitalizing the “Free Store” located in one of Cleveland’s most impoverished neighborhoods. His outstanding work ethic and “can do” attitude served as a positive influence to the neighborhood’s youth.
Milton’s main barrier to employment was his felony background, coupled with having strict guidelines on his daily movements. Despite these barriers, he never lost faith or focus on his overall goal of obtaining unsubsidized employment.
In just over two short months, Milton obtained permanent employment working as a Maintenance Technician for University Hospital. Milton now owns his own custodial business.
While statistics show that finding meaningful work after incarceration proves difficult, especially to older adults, Milton’s story provides hope. He is proof that second chances are real, and that programs that address these challenges are vital resources in preparing individuals for happy and healthy lives upon release.