Center for Justice & Economic Advancement (JFF)

Each year, more than 600,000 people return home from prison, and nearly all will need support to rebuild their careers and lives. A new multidisciplinary study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior, offers a data-driven roadmap for improving employment outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals. The research team analyzed 25 years of evidence across five phases of the employment lifecycle — recruitment, selection, onboarding, development, and retention — to provide practical strategies employers can apply today. Among their findings: employers who hire people with records report strong work ethic, loyalty, and improved performance, but stigma and misaligned systems still create barriers. By connecting correctional education and labor-market demand, the researchers argue, both individuals and businesses stand to benefit. 🔗 Read the full article: https://hubs.la/Q03MTj950 At Jobs for the Future (JFF), we help employers take similar steps through our Fair Chance Employer Services, providing workshops, learning journeys, and customized support to move from intention to implementation. 🔗 Learn more about our services: https://hubs.la/Q03HgvbS0

Our team is growing! Please join us in welcoming Jennifer Sanders as the new Director of Technical Assistance for Corrections with the Center for Justice & Economic Advancement at Jobs for the Future (JFF). 🎉 Jen has dedicated her career to driving change in correctional education and workforce development. As the superintendent of the Ohio Central School System, a school district that operates within the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC), she led more than 300 educators, expanded digital access, strengthened college and career #pathways, and more than doubled the number of industry-recognized credentials earned by students in custody. 🔥 Jen has been a leading voice for innovation in corrections and is recognized for her blend of practical insight and strategic leadership. With over 30 years of experience, she brings a deep understanding of the system and a passion for advocating and advancing opportunities for people with records. She is a long-time friend of the center, and we’re excited to have her expertise as we embark on our Fair Chance to Advance (FC2) initiative. We’re thrilled to welcome Jen to the JFF team starting October 20! #JFFImpact #PrisonEducation #FairChanceToAdvance

Jobs for the Future (JFF) Future is excited to partner with the Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network and the Center for Employment Opportunities on an upcoming professional development event for people with records. Opportunities Forward: A Fair Chance Employer Expo is a virtual event taking place on January 15, 2026. It will highlight resilient employer practices and create space for meaningful conversations about pathways to #qualityjobs.  This is not a job fair. This event is an opportunity for employers to showcase effective HR  policies and practices and for job seekers to ask questions about how to best prepare prior to applying, during the interview process, and when onboarding. Stay tuned to JFF, FICGN, and CEO channels for updates on employer and participant registration. 

According to this article from the Association for Talent Development, the data are clear: when employers hire people with records, outcomes improve for everyone. Employees perform as well or better than their peers, and those who maintain employment for one year post-release are far less likely to return to prison. Fair chance hiring isn’t just a workforce strategy; it’s an economic one. Unlocking opportunity for justice-impacted talent strengthens businesses, families, and communities nationwide. 🔗 Read more: https://hubs.la/Q03MThJT0

Investing in #higheredinprison is an investment in safer communities and stronger families. University of Illinois professor Rebecca Ginsburg, who directs the Education Justice Project, highlights how college-in-prison programs across the state are helping people build skills, strengthen family connections, and prepare for meaningful careers after release. As federal Pell Grant eligibility returns for incarcerated learners, Illinois has an opportunity to build a stronger, more coordinated system — one that ensures every student inside has access to quality postsecondary education. 🔗 Read the full story: https://hubs.la/Q03MTgVq0 📸 Photo from article

We have seen time and time again that fair chance hiring is good business and good for people. At SugarBot Sweet Shop & Creamery in St. Charles, Missouri, owner Jackie Huebbe is sharing her success. During her session at the International Baking Industry Exposition, “Second Chance Hiring: Expanding the Workforce and Supporting the Community,” she shared how becoming a fair chance employer transformed her business — and how it can do the same for others. 🔗 Read more: https://hubs.la/Q03MTcL70 🔗 Learn more about how to take similar steps through our Fair Chance Employer Services, providing workshops, learning journeys, and customized support to move from intention to implementation: https://hubs.la/Q03HgvbS0 📸 Photo from article

We’re looking forward to joining partners at the Brick by Brick: Virtual Reentry Conference on November 6 — a space designed to connect, learn, and build pathways that support successful reentry. Hosted by H3 Network, the event features keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, all brought directly to participants through an interactive virtual platform. At just $5 to attend, this conference is expanding access to conversations that drive change. Register: https://lnkd.in/ggiKvJTD See you there, alongside our partners at Nucleos and H3 Network.

Dozens of people incarcerated in Maine are now holding remote jobs with outside companies, some earning full salaries. These roles pay fair-market wages, allowing people to cover restitution, legal costs, support family, and build savings. Maine’s model is pushing boundaries in how we think about work, reentry, and skills. The system is closely monitored with internet limits, laptop oversight, and eligibility rules. This is what #NormalizingOpportunity looks like in action. Listen to this story from NPR's All Things Considered to learn more. 🔗 Full story: https://hubs.la/Q03MTbG10

There’s a common misconception that college in prison is “free.” This first-person piece from the Prison Journalism Project sheds light on the real picture learners who are incarcerated face: funding hurdles (Pell grants/scholarships), limited technology and campus access, and the extra effort students inside must navigate to persist. Read the full article at: https://lnkd.in/eYNkYgHt Want to stay up-to-date on all things #PrisonEducation. Sign up to receive our Normalizing Education newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dy2f2tzn

Headlines shape how the public understands crime, safety, and opportunity. Our friend and partner, Terrell A. Blount, MPA, offers practical steps for media to adopt accurate, people-first reporting that moves beyond clickbait to produce stories that inform and humanize. Read Terrell’s piece: https://lnkd.in/ezzwbccb