Texas Outlaw
01-28-2002, 11:54 AM
These people helped me get employment when nobody wanted to hire me.
Project RIO
(Re-Integration of Offenders)
"'The main reason we got involved in this is because we couldn't find enough skilled and semiskilled laborers in Lubbock. It's a very difficult situation, but these people (we've hired through RIO) are very qualified. . . . Our success rate has been about 90 percent. It's a win-win situation for us and the community.'" - Jack Williamson, president of Lubbock American Iron & Metal Inc. quoted in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, April 21, 1996.
Project RIO is administered by the Texas Workforce Commission in collaboration with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), the Windham School District and The Texas Youth Commission (TYC). the project provides a link between education, training and employment during incarceration with employment, training and education after release.
The program is designed to reduce recidivism through employment. Numerous studies have shown reduced recidivism rates for employed ex-offenders. Even when one takes into account other factors such as age, risk score, race/ethnicity and type of previous offense, post-release employment reduced rearrests and reincarcerations.
"The program helps keep parolees from becoming repeat offenders and saves the state more than $10 million annually in potential reincarceration costs, according to an evaluation conducted by Texas A&M University." - The Pasadena Citizen, January 5, 1997
Services are offered to program participants pre- and post-release. An individualized treatment plan is developed to identify a career path for the offender and to guide placement decisions. Prior to release, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted to assess the needs of the offender and assist in the selection and placement in Windham, college, TDCJ and TYC programs. The evaluation process is a multi-step approach that includes information gathering, goal-setting, program placement and offender self-assessment.
Project RIO staff encourage participants to take advantage of educational and vocational services and assist offenders in obtaining documents necessary for employment. Unit or facility staff also provide placement services to give offenders practical work experience in their areas of training.
"'I'm ashamed of what I've done, but I don't think people look down on me anymore. I'm not out on the streets asking for a handout or doing the welfare thing. I'm earning a living. I'm a productive member of society.'" - Project RIO client Geneva Velazaquez quoted in the Abilene Reporter-News, September 25, 1996
After release, TWC Project RIO staff provide ex-offenders with individualized workforce development services including job preparation and job search assistance. RIO participants attend structured job search workshops that focus on basic skills such as completing a work application, preparing a resume and performing in a mock interview. However, the most important aspect of the TWC Project RIO program is ex-offender employment as soon as possible after release.
Project RIO staff ensure that potential employers are aware of and take advantage of special incentives for hiring releasees. TWC Project RIO staff certify prospective employees for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program which provides a tax incentive to employers for hiring economically disadvantaged ex-offenders.
For additional information call:1-800-453-8140
or contact:
Texas Workforce Commission
Project RIO Staff
101 E. 15th Street, Room 506T
Austin, TX 78778
Hope this helps,
Texas Outlaw Jack
Project RIO
(Re-Integration of Offenders)
"'The main reason we got involved in this is because we couldn't find enough skilled and semiskilled laborers in Lubbock. It's a very difficult situation, but these people (we've hired through RIO) are very qualified. . . . Our success rate has been about 90 percent. It's a win-win situation for us and the community.'" - Jack Williamson, president of Lubbock American Iron & Metal Inc. quoted in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, April 21, 1996.
Project RIO is administered by the Texas Workforce Commission in collaboration with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), the Windham School District and The Texas Youth Commission (TYC). the project provides a link between education, training and employment during incarceration with employment, training and education after release.
The program is designed to reduce recidivism through employment. Numerous studies have shown reduced recidivism rates for employed ex-offenders. Even when one takes into account other factors such as age, risk score, race/ethnicity and type of previous offense, post-release employment reduced rearrests and reincarcerations.
"The program helps keep parolees from becoming repeat offenders and saves the state more than $10 million annually in potential reincarceration costs, according to an evaluation conducted by Texas A&M University." - The Pasadena Citizen, January 5, 1997
Services are offered to program participants pre- and post-release. An individualized treatment plan is developed to identify a career path for the offender and to guide placement decisions. Prior to release, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted to assess the needs of the offender and assist in the selection and placement in Windham, college, TDCJ and TYC programs. The evaluation process is a multi-step approach that includes information gathering, goal-setting, program placement and offender self-assessment.
Project RIO staff encourage participants to take advantage of educational and vocational services and assist offenders in obtaining documents necessary for employment. Unit or facility staff also provide placement services to give offenders practical work experience in their areas of training.
"'I'm ashamed of what I've done, but I don't think people look down on me anymore. I'm not out on the streets asking for a handout or doing the welfare thing. I'm earning a living. I'm a productive member of society.'" - Project RIO client Geneva Velazaquez quoted in the Abilene Reporter-News, September 25, 1996
After release, TWC Project RIO staff provide ex-offenders with individualized workforce development services including job preparation and job search assistance. RIO participants attend structured job search workshops that focus on basic skills such as completing a work application, preparing a resume and performing in a mock interview. However, the most important aspect of the TWC Project RIO program is ex-offender employment as soon as possible after release.
Project RIO staff ensure that potential employers are aware of and take advantage of special incentives for hiring releasees. TWC Project RIO staff certify prospective employees for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program which provides a tax incentive to employers for hiring economically disadvantaged ex-offenders.
For additional information call:1-800-453-8140
or contact:
Texas Workforce Commission
Project RIO Staff
101 E. 15th Street, Room 506T
Austin, TX 78778
Hope this helps,
Texas Outlaw Jack