California New Start

California’s New Start prison-to-employment program is modeled after the best practices from other states. 

Key Elements:

• Use labor market data to determine the types of jobs that will actually be available in each county;

• Matching existing training and work opportunities in prison to jobs available in communities;

• Providing individual documents needed to secure employment prior to release from prison (e.g., Social Security card, birth certification, selective service registration, etc)

• Providing essential job prerequisites such as resumes, trade certificates, licenses, trade union members, etc; and,

• Providing support to seek, secure and maintain employment through a collaborative partnership with the community to link offenders to jobs and a support system.

Holding a job is one of the best predictors of parole success.  Numerous statistical studies demonstrate that a parolee who finds and maintains a steady job – and who also has stable housing and avoids substance abuse – is more likely to avoid subsequent offenses and to successfully complete his term on parole.  Among its provisions, the Public Safety and Offender Rehabilitation Services Act of 2007 (AB 900) required CDCR to develop an Inmate Treatment and Prison-to-Employment Plan.  Focusing on the needs of offenders both in prison and as they transition back to the community bolsters their chance of success and reduces crime.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is setting a high priority on linking inmate training programs to jobs in the community.  The primary goal of CDCR’s California New Start – Prison-to-Employment Program is to improve the employability of offenders leaving California prisons, to increase the likelihood that they will secure and retain gainful employment up reentry to their communities, reduce recidivism and enhance public safety.  The partnership between CDCR, the Employment Development Department and the California Workforce Investment Board will further these goals.

Funding

The California New Start program is federally funded through the Workforce Investment Act. Through an interagency agreement, CDCR has received funding through the California Employment Development Department.  CDCR has allocated funds to 49 Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIB) throughout the State to provide core employment service for CDCR parolees.   Each LWIB has one-stop career center (s) assigned; some have multiple one-stops.  The funding is based on an estimated parolee population in each area to be served. 

Additional Information

For additional information see California New Start, A Voluntary Program as You Prepare for Release and the fact sheet, California New Start.