Nationally, Green for All is recognized for its efforts in creating and promoting clean energy jobs for those living in poverty. Some of the poorest Americans seeking employment are formerly incarcerated persons. Studies show that a person released from prison has a much lower chance of recidivating if he or she finds legal and steady employment. Green for All works with local and state governments, businesses and community organizations to help formerly incarcerated persons, as well as others, learn the skills that will help them find employment in the green jobs field.
Recently, Green for All released a report Best Practices in Green Re-Entry Strategies that examines the U.S. prison system, pointing out its flaws, and offering a common-sense approach to making constructive changes. The report also recommends ways to provide formerly incarcerated persons with job skills in the green job market. Teaching “Environmental Literacy” to those with poor work histories and low educational levels is one way to Green for All believes a strong workforce can be created.
Working in the clean energy field can also give a formerly incarcerated person a sense of purpose, claims Green for All. Not only will an individual learn job skills that can provide decent wages, and the stability that comes with that, but the worker will be helping his community, and in a larger sense, the world, by improving the environment - heady stuff for those who often feel marginalized.
Green for All suggests that green job skills can be picked up in a prison through a comprehensive partnership between the correctional facility, green job providers, and of course prisoners committed to changing their lives for the better. Transitional jobs are important as soon as an inmate is released, and the Green for All report gives examples of successful transitional job programs. Recognizing that most prisoners have substandard educations, Green for All suggests support programs offering remedial help, or GRD classes, be incorporated into the green jobs programs. Apprenticeship programs should also be offered to help an individual learn on the job.
Of course, all the job training in the world is not going to help a person find employment if employers are reluctant to hire those with a criminal background, To overcome this very real problem, Green for All suggests that reentry programs carefully teach their clients not only job skills, but also soft skills such as how to dress, speak and act when looking for employment. A crucial part of the from-prison-to-work segment is engaging employers in discussions about why formerly incarcerated persons just might be the best employees. Studies have found formerly incarcerated work hard to “prove” themselves, and are grateful for the opportunity to be hired, often giving 100% effort in their jobs. Tax deductions and bonding programs available to employers who hire formerly incarcerated persons are other incentives Green for All believes might sway an employer to hire someone who was incarcerated. Knowing that an employee is connected with a strong reentry program can also ease the mind of an a wavering employer.
The Best Practices in Green Re-Entry Strategies report offers several ideas on how former prisoners can find employment in the clean energy field. From working to change stagnant, outdated criminal justice policies to working with grass-root community groups, the report offers a wealth of information on why, and how, environmentally sound training and employment practices can help reduce recidivism and increase public safety.
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