Employer Guide: Justice-Involved Hiring
Essential links and tools to help employers successfully recruit, train, and onboard individuals reentering the workforce after involvement with the justice system.
The Clean Slate Initiative
The Clean Slate Initiative is a national, bipartisan organization dedicated to passing and implementing laws that automatically seal eligible criminal records for individuals who have completed their sentence and remained crime-free. This movement is fundamentally about providing a second chance and unlocking economic opportunity.
This resource is key for understanding how removing outdated barriers to employment helps to expand the available talent pool for businesses, reduces recidivism, and promotes greater economic stability within communities. Click the link to learn about the policy work and research that supports this transformative initiative.
Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice, provides essential funding, policy development, and technical assistance to state, local, and tribal governments. Its mission is to strengthen the nation’s criminal justice system, reduce crime, and promote safer communities.
For the community, BJA is a vital source of funding for local initiatives, including crime prevention, law enforcement support, mental health courts, and critical reentry programs that help expand the local workforce. Click the link to explore BJA's grants, training opportunities, and evidence-based programs that help build a safe and fair system.
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Second Chance Act
The federal Second Chance Act (SCA) is landmark legislation designed to increase public safety and reduce recidivism by supporting the successful reentry of adults and juveniles returning to communities from incarceration.
Administered through the Department of Justice, the SCA authorizes critical federal grants for state and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, to fund comprehensive programs. These programs focus on four key areas: employment training and assistance, housing, substance abuse/mental health treatment, and education.
By facilitating successful reintegration, the SCA supports community stability and helps expand the available, skilled workforce for local businesses. Click the link to explore the grants and resources available under this Act.
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National Reentry Resource Center (NRRC)
The National Reentry Resource Center (NRRC), established by the Second Chance Act and funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), is the nation's primary source of information, guidance, and evidence-based practices related to successful reintegration after incarceration.
The NRRC serves as a vital hub for policymakers, service providers, and community partners, offering:
- Training and Technical Assistance to enhance local reentry programs.
- A vast library of research and toolkits on topics like employment, housing, and mental health.
- Key resources like the Clean Slate Clearinghouse on records clearance.
This resource is essential for maximizing efforts to reduce recidivism, improve community safety, and ensure individuals have the necessary resources to become productive members of the workforce.
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Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) is the largest national provider of comprehensive employment services exclusively for people recently released from incarceration. CEO is an evidence-based program that aims to reduce recidivism and increase employment.
The CEO model provides:
- Immediate, Paid Transitional Work with daily pay, offering instant income and work experience.
- Intensive Job-Readiness Training and Coaching to prepare participants for the job market.
- Job Placement and Retention Services to connect individuals with full-time careers and support them for up to a year.
By providing a structured path back to the workforce, CEO helps local businesses access a dedicated and highly supported talent pool.