About Reentry Works
Evidence continues to demonstrate critical links between employment and successful reentry of justice-involved individuals into our community. Reentry Works invests and innovates in evidence-based solutions to best serve the justice-involved population by providing pre-release employment and training services, links to jobs and post-release employment services, earn and learn opportunities, supportive services (such as transportation, housing and access to technology) and community-based connections.
To hear about how Reentry Works helped turn participant Windy Ortiz’s life around, watch her testimonial below.
Job Centers in Jails
The San Diego Workforce Partnership collaborates with Second Chance, the San Diego County Probation and Sheriff’s departments and other key organizations to run career centers within the East Mesa Reentry Facility and Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility.
Outcomes:
- State Average Recidivism Rate = 65%
- Our Participants Recidivism Rate = 18%
- Average Job Placement Rate = 80%
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Prison to Employment
The latest addition to Reentry Works is Prison to Employment (P2E), a three-year, $37 million grant to integrate workforce and reentry services across California. The goal is to serve justice-involved individuals by creating a systemic and ongoing partnership between rehabilitative programs within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the state workforce system. The program goal is to serve 250 individuals through post-release employment services.
For more information, contact hello@workforce.org or call (619) 319-WORK (9675).
Learn about how these reentry programs have opened doors for others
From mandatory supervision to union representation
Reentry Works helps participant with life ‘on the outside’
First job fair in a jail connects inmates and employers
More Reentry Works Stories
Who else can advance your journey?
The Workforce Partnership has created a reentry resource matrix—a list of organizations that support justice-involved individuals. Whether you are a client looking for services or a provider looking for referrals, we encourage you to use this list to identify organizations you can partner with.
Have information to add to the matrix or update? Email research@workforce.org.
Who It's For
- Age 18+
- Experience in the justice system
This program offers help:
- Deciding what career is right for me
- Finding a temporary job or internship
- Finding a long-term job
- Learning new job skills
How to Apply
Use Program Match Finder to begin enrollment. It usually takes 10–15 minutes to complete. Answer questions about your needs and interests, then you’ll instantly see a list of programs you’re likely eligible for. If you’re eligible for Reentry Works, it will be the only program on your results page. If you’re not eligible, the program will not show up and you’ll choose a different program you likely are eligible for. Submit your selection then we’ll contact you about next steps.
Apply NowRead about participants’ experiences with the program:
After graduating JRT, Juan enrolled at City College, works at the shipyard and looks forward to a career in HVAC. He also has reconnected with his mom, his sisters and his grown son, who now proudly tells his father, “I can talk to my friends about you!”
Windy Ortiz had been involved in the justice system and got connected to our Reentry Works program, Prison to Employment. We connected with Windy to hear about her personal experience and what advice she’d give to others who are interested in the program.