Free Venture Program

For more information call (916) 262-1506

Program Description

The Free Venture Program involves a partnership between the public sector and private industry. The private-sector industry sets up and operates its business within the confines of a correctional facility and hires the youthful offenders as its employees. The youthful offenders receive training for meaningful jobs, which aids in their successful community placement. Major by-products of the program involve the financial assistance to victims of crime and the reduction of institutional costs.

Basic Assumptions

Free Venture recognizes that the private sector needs skilled and dependable workers and that the Youth Authority has youthful offenders, who need positive, "real-world" work experiences. It is the role of the Free Venture Program to address both these needs in a mutually-beneficial manner.

• Free Venture is an integral part of the Department's education program and provides the "hands-on" experience that follows the academic and vocational training.
  
  
• Free Venture compliments and reinforces academic and vocational competencies, while providing an application of occupational skills, and positive work habits and attitudes.
  
  
• Free Venture fosters accountability, responsibility, the work ethic, and a sense of self-worth.
  
  
• Free Venture operates in a cooperative partnership with "for-profit" businesses to meet emerging and expanding job needs.
  
  
• Free Venture contributes to the economic development of the State by helping to prepare and train a skilled work force.

Employer Benefits

• Large pool of highly-motivated, trainable applicants.
  
  
• Flexible work hours.
  
  
• Quality space at a minimal cost.
  
  
• Built-to-suit or modified existing space to comply with business needs.
  
  
• Increased profit margin through deferred employee benefit package.
  
  
• Possibility of vocationally-trained employees, who are quickly able to assume all job responsibilities.
  
  
• Appreciative youthful offenders, who will often exceed the productivity of regular employees.

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• Companies can turn a profit, while helping the State reduce the tax burden by decreasing institutional and welfare costs.
  
  
• Companies can make an investment in human capital and add additional contributors to the tax-paying rolls.
  
  
• Companies can help restore public confidence in the criminal justice system, as part of the wages paid to the youthful offenders is used for restitution to crime victims.
  
  
• Companies can be a contributor to the much-needed resource pool.