Local Workforce Solutions for Reducing Criminal Recidivism September 19, 2017

The SkillSource – Fairfax County Sheriff Employment Center is located within the Fairfax County Alternative Incarceration Branch (AIB), adjacent to the Fairfax County Jail. This employment center, founded in 2008, the first of its kind in a local Virginia jail, provides employment assistance to County inmates, convicted primarily of “white-collar” crimes, assisting them to gain and retain employment during their final months of incarceration and eventual release.

Since program inception in May 2008 to August 2017:   840 offenders have been enrolled in the PRC; 561 have been placed into employment (67%); at an average hourly wage of $12.22 (over $27,000 annually). Against a national violent offender recidivism rate exceeding 45% and a Virginia violent offender recidivism rate exceeding 28%, the recidivism rate of an offender that has gone through the SkillSource–PRC Employment Center is approximately 8%.

SkillSource also works with returning citizens through the Virginia Serious and Violent Offender Re-Entry Initiative – VASAVOR – which is designed to support recently released ex-offenders, reduce or eliminate recidivism, and address multiple barriers to employment maintaining a regional community network which fosters the successful transition of long-term incarcerated adults who have been convicted of violent crimes back into the community.

Since program inception in 2003 through August 2017: There have been 568 enrollments in VASAVOR; There have been 569 (multiple placements for individuals may occur) job placements; At an average hourly wage of $9.22 (approximately $20,000 annually). Against a national violent offender recidivism rate exceeding 45% and a Virginia violent offender recidivism rate exceeding 28%, the VASAVOR recidivism rate is approximately 4%.

By attaining employment and self-sufficiency, this reduces the potential of criminal recidivism and strengthens returning citizens successful reentry back into the community. A major strength of the SkillSource Re-entry Programs has been their potential capacity to reduce the gap in time between release and adequate full-time employment from weeks and months to a few days.

Moderator: Chris Rieley Vice President, Commercial Lending, Access National Bank Panelists: Tracy Lavely Chief Probation Officer, Fairfax District 29, Virginia Department of Corrections Derwin Overton Executive Director, Opportunities, Alternatives and Resources, Inc. (OAR) DeVon Simmons Statewide Re-entry Coordinator, Office of the Attorney General, Commonwealth of Virginia Danny Funderburk Learning & Development, William A. Hazel, Inc.