HI:

This is my first post so please excuse me if I'm asking something that has been dealt with before. This is a really great site and I've just begun to explore what it has to offer. I met a wonderful woman through a penpal service (womenbehindbars) about 2 and half years ago. We have had some problems but mainly it has been a very positive experience. She is in Florida and I'm in Canada. I've visited her 3 times. She is in work release now and will be able to look for work shortly. I have many questions but for now I'd like to know how other inmates have handled looking for work. For example, in your resume, do you include the address of the work release or institution as your present address or your home address? How do you account for the "gap" in your work record? Do you make the first move in letting your prospective employer know about your record or do you wait until they ask. She is kind of nervous about her pending release and expects to go through quite a bit of rejection as she looks for a job. Any suggestions or advice you have that I could pass onto her would be helpful.

finrod ~ welcome to pto. i'm not an expert on release, but there are several folks here that can and will answer your inquiries. i wish the best for you both! ac

The Work Release programs sponsored by prisons are to provide labor to a select group of previously approved (and game) employers. Usually the 'employers' are a handful of state/municiple offices or contrators who agree to employ a certain number of folks. During 'work release' the people are still housed in a prison or minimum custody compound, or half-way setting and go OUT to work every day.

When being employed after getting released, it would really depend on what work she can do and what she can find, and if she is going to be on parole or probation or under any state supervision which would require that her employer be routinely contacted to verify (continued) employment.

If she's not on paper, and isn't in a field where the regular hiring approach is a form with the 'magic question'.. (Have you ever been convicted of a Felony.. If yes.___ explain_____)
she can possibly avoid bringing her new employer into the loop., If she is going to use a skill that she learned in prison or got certified for in prison or had never before done until she came to prison,--she'll definitely have to give the employer some clue as to how she got the experience.

I went back to doing what I'd done before my trip through the lookingglass. Not the sort of thing that requires the magic question. I think only once someone asked why I'd stepped out of the business. It's a question that doesn't get asked twice once your answer is, "oh,... I got married...". Works for girls.

A warm welcome to PTO, Finrod.

Welcome to PTO! I'm glad you found us...

Deb

Self employment in another State might work? But we are lacking in a lot of potentate information like work history, abilities to spin off of.

i have a resume already set up and sent to certain companies already for her...She is still in but may get out this year...she has learned and earned certificiates in plumbing, electrican, carpentry, painter, farm machinery,as well as inmate counselor....if given the proper job, she will surely make more than me....which is cool...then i can stay home and be a houseman.