Recommendations for Strengthening the Reentry Employment Opportunities Program

This resource provides recommendations to improve the REO program. The researchers’ recommendations are grounded in the perspectives of current REO programs, partners, and intermediaries across the country.

The REO program was authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) as a pilot program to test the effectiveness of service delivery models and approaches to support access and success in the labor market for people with criminal legal system involvement. REO projects also promote collaboration and coordination among community-based organizations, foundations, state and local justice agencies, community colleges, and the workforce system. The mission of the program is to inform the public workforce system on how best to serve justice-involved young adults and adults who are currently or formerly incarcerated.

Many of the components of REO programs have already been rigorously evaluated. Several demonstrate effective practices for reducing recidivism and supporting people who have been incarcerated as they enter the workforce. In looking ahead, the researchers build off the program’s track record and success to support many more individuals impacted by the criminal legal system.

(This report is 6 pages long.)

(The report was developed in 2022.)

The researchers proposed the following recommendations:

• Codify the program as part of WIOA and offer communities and states competitive grants and formula funds to implement programs and models.
• Ensure that program eligibility reflects the myriad ways people are impacted by the criminal legal system.
• Prioritize mentoring and positive youth development supports, particularly for youth and young adults who have been impacted by the criminal legal system.
• Center the voices of impacted individuals. Specifically, persons with lived experience should be in decision-making and program governance roles.
• Focus investments in communities that have experienced divestment because of the criminal legal system.
• Focus investments in effective, equitable, and culturally responsive practices.
• Hold programs and systems accountable for quality.
• Incentivize locally driven partnerships and collaborations.
• Evolve research and evaluation.
• Include funding for technical assistance and capacity building.

The report did not identify findings.

• Last Updated:
• Created:
• Resource Publication Date: 2022
• Author(s): Young, M.; Okoh, C.; Whyte, J.
• Funding Source: Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)
• Resource Availability: Publicly available
• Posted by: India Johnson
• Posted in: Workforce System Strategies