New & Noteworthy
Hartford Foundation Submits Testimony on Legislation to Incentivize Completion of Educational and Workforce Opportunities for People Returning from Incarceration
On Monday, March 31, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving submitted written testimony to the legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Senate Bill 1503, An Act Incentivizing Educational And Workforce Achievement As A Means Of Reducing A Probationer's Term Of Supervision.
The foundation appreciates the legislature’s efforts to create incentives for people on probation to complete education milestones, including finishing high school, college or vocational training and sustain employment. From the foundation’s work investing in reentry and other programs for justice-system involved populations, we know sustained participation in education and employment programs can be a key factor in reducing the recidivism we continue to see in our state and nationally. But education and holding a job are not the only factors that should determine whether reducing someone’s probationary period is appropriate.
Since 1925, the Hartford Foundation has proudly served as the community foundation for the 29-town Greater Hartford region. This year, the foundation celebrates 100 years of service and remains committed to building an even greater Hartford region. Over the past two years, we have distributed more than $100 million in grants to promote equitable opportunity for all residents in our region. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the foundation has awarded grants of more than $1 billion since its founding.
The foundation’s post-secondary education efforts focus on increasing access to college and training opportunities that lead to hiring and retaining residents with significant barriers to employment, including men and women returning from prison and jail and opportunity youth disconnected from school and work.
Data show that most justice-involved people, both nationally and in Connecticut, eventually return to their communities after serving time. We know they need access to reentry planning and support before and following release in the community to effectively reintegrate, including access to education opportunities and quality job opportunities that provide living wages.
We know that people coming home from incarceration find it challenging given the stigma of incarceration and discrimination to make the transition. The disproportionate number of Black and Latine residents incarcerated and under community supervision means that racial discrimination and stigma of incarceration can undermine the ability of returning citizens to successfully reenter the community, access training, secure employment housing and other services. With access to training that leads to quality jobs, people coming home from prison have the ability to realize their potential and to make a successful transition and contribute to their families and community.
When considering reductions to probationers’ terms of supervision, we recommend that a holistic assessment be conducted to fully consider individual factors that may make it difficult to successfully transition and could impact the need for probation supervision and continued support offered through Adult Probation Services within the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch.
The Urban Institute’s research has demonstrated that education and employment can reduce recidivism among formerly incarcerated individuals, with some studies showing that postsecondary education and vocational training programs can significantly lower the likelihood of reoffending, and other studies have revealed complicating factors. The Urban Institute’s What Works in Reentry Clearinghouse provides guidance on education and other individual factors that can impact reentry.
The 2024 State of Reentry (SOR) Report, commissioned by Career Resources Inc. in collaboration reentry center and other leaders, highlights the barriers people face when trying to obtain work upon their release. Sixty-five percent of the incarcerated population whose sentences ended within six months did not have a high school diploma. In addition, 93 percent of individuals who were incarcerated with sentences ending within six months had less than five years of employment history or vocational training. Eighty-five percent of community supported individuals in Connecticut had five years or less of employment or vocational training, 32 percent had two years or less of employment experience, with four percent never having been employed. This is the third year the SOR study documented similar persistent challenges in these areas. A 2025 State of Reentry report will soon be available with the Foundation supporting its broad distribution to legislators and reentry providers.
As part of the Hartford Foundation’s efforts to dismantle structural racism and advance equitable social and economic mobility for Black and Latine residents of Greater Hartford, the Hartford Foundation seeks to increase stable employment that advances careers for adults and youth in our region who are often left behind.
For many years, the Hartford Foundation has been at the forefront of supporting nonprofits and their partners working with men and women incarcerated and preparing to return to Greater Hartford communities. We not only believe in second chances but affording the education and other supports many youth and adults may not have received before becoming justice system involved. Many were unemployed and struggling with substance abuse and urban trauma issues before they were incarcerated.
Research has demonstrated that people employed after release are less likely to return to prison. In addition to providing opportunities to receive education and workforce development training upon release and taking the time in prison to develop essential skills can increase the ability of people once released to qualify for jobs in the community.
We need to be equally committed to ensuring education and workforce development programs assess other needs of participants including their drug and alcohol use, potential mental health challenges, and other basic needs essential to retaining jobs secured in the community and rebuilding their lives. This is an essential part of preparing to meet the demands of work and reentry.
The foundation supports the intent of Senate Bill 1503 to incentivize participation in education and workforce development programs for people on probation. While we support the intent of this legislation, it is vital that the state make significant investments to build a continuum of tailored education and workforce training support services pre- and post-release to provide the essential support each person needs for successful reentry. The foundation cannot weigh in on the sixty- and thirty-day probation reduction periods proposed. We do encourage the Committee to continue to consider whether the reductions presented would offer meaningful incentives as intended, including for people with long probationary periods.
We also recognize through our work that many returning citizens who are able to find employment often initially find part-time jobs (with limited hours and no benefits) or seasonal jobs, such as in construction. Many people want and need full-time employment, but it can be difficult to secure.
Since 2018, the Foundation has funded critical reentry supports to help returning citizens succeed, including reentry planning, job readiness and industry training, housing, health, transportation and other basic needs, and job placement assistance offered through the Reentry Welcome Center in Hartford. The center is led by Community Partners in Action, with additional funding from the City of Hartford and other state and federal resources and working with a broad referral network of service providers. Since 2015, the Foundation also has supported the BEST Chance reentry program coordinated by Capital Workforce Partners, with support from the Connecticut Department of Labor and other funding, and a network of workforce training and other reentry providers. Both programs also provide returning citizens with access to basic services and referrals to community-based food, shelter, health, and other programs. BEST Chance integrates an employment retention program, Free to Succeed, supported by the foundation that provides additional case management and participant supports to ensure people can address transportation, housing instability, and other challenges that can affect their ability to sustain employment.
The foundation has also provided support for the Center for Children’s Advocacy (CCA) to provide expanded legal services to Greater Hartford youth and young adults ages 16 to 23 transitioning from confinement to address access to education, employment, and other basic needs. CCA is part of the ecosystem of nonprofits working with Roca, Inc., COMPASS Youth Collaborative, and Our Piece of the Pie to address the needs of opportunity youth in Hartford. Each has been supported by a collaboration with the Hartford Foundation, the City of Hartford, and Dalio Education.
In order for community-based reentry workforce training programs to be effective, they should build on programming that people receive while in prison to support continuity and avoid duplication. We encourage legislators to identify immediate as well as long-term resources that can enhance, support, and sustain programs in Connecticut’s correctional facilities that can address longstanding racial and economic disparities. We also urge legislators to address the need for additional resources to support the Department of Correction’s Unified School District #1 to ensure adequate basic education, career, and technical education programming to the approximately 2.800 students it serves annually.
Our work has shown us that one of the greatest challenges to creating career opportunities for returning citizens is finding employers willing to consider giving them an opportunity. Businesses must play a larger role in guiding the content of education and workforce training programs, as the Foundation has seen through our co-funding of the Workforce Solutions of Collaborative of Metro Hartford. We must also support businesses in exploring ways to ensure their work environments are inclusive and supportive of all workers.
While there is an array of community services available to returning citizens to ensure they are successful in the workplace, services that address individual needs critical to sustaining jobs, advancing career pathways, and successful reentry, more programs are needed pre-release.
In November 2023, Hartford Foundation staff toured the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution to learn more about the educational and vocational training provided at the facility. We were impressed with the dedication and enthusiasm of staff and program participants. It was clear that the programs need a significant infusion of resources and additional staffing to enhance course materials and reach a larger number of residents. We recommend that the legislature consider with the Department of Correction the immediate funding needs that can address critical needs for its education programs, including funding to conduct a thorough assessment to avoid straining the limited facility staff and resources. By enhancing pre-release programming, people leaving incarceration will be better prepared and more connected to opportunities for additional education in the community, leading to the potential for better outcomes.
The foundation is eager to continue partnering with legislators, government partners, advocates, and businesses to eliminate barriers to employment and access to education support for returning citizens to ensure that all residents have an opportunity to participate in the workforce, achieve economic stability, and have opportunities to reach their potential, thrive and enhance Connecticut’s economy.