Bill Overview
Title: Workforce Opportunity for Returning Citizens Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Labor to award grants to local workforce development boards, colleges, area career and technical education schools, or other entities to develop or expand education or workforce training programs that (1) lead to employment opportunities for incarcerated and previously incarcerated (i.e., incarcerated at any time during the preceding 36-month period) individuals; and (2) reduce recidivism.
Sponsors: Rep. Bourdeaux, Carolyn [D-GA-7]
Target Audience
Population: Incarcerated and previously incarcerated individuals
Estimated Size: 3000000
- The WORC Act is focused on incarcerated and previously incarcerated individuals.
- Employment opportunities and workforce training are key components, targeting skill-building for reintegration.
- Recidivism reduction is a primary goal, impacting former prisoners.
- Recent estimates suggest there are over 2 million incarcerated people in the U.S. at any time, with many more on probation or parole who might transition between statuses.
- Considering global incarceration, this affects over 10 million individuals worldwide.
- Not all incarcerated individuals will benefit due to the specific criteria (incarcerated in the past 36 months).
Reasoning
- The WORC Act is primarily designed to assist the recently incarcerated in reintegrating into society through education and job training programs.
- Individuals currently incarcerated and those who have been incarcerated within the last 36 months are the primary targets.
- The policy's success depends on effectively reaching and engaging this population, which requires considering geographic and demographic diversity.
- Budget constraints imply that not every eligible individual can participate; selection may prioritize regions with higher recidivism rates or program readiness.
- The wellbeing scores provided offer insight into perceived value and effectiveness from the individuals targeted by the policy.
Simulated Interviews
unemployed (Chicago, IL)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The WORC Act sounds promising because finding a job after being in prison has been really tough.
- I hope these programs are accessible and not just in bigger cities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
part-time retail (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I really want to get into a cosmetology career program, and the WORC Act could help with that.
- Getting back to a normal life is hard without support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
construction worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good to see opportunities opening up for people coming out of jail.
- I've been lucky, but I know others who need this kind of help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
part-time factory worker (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reintegrating has been hard, especially with a medical condition.
- If WORC can help me find a stable job, it would be a big relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
unemployed (New York, NY)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I need a chance to prove myself, and a job is the first step.
- The WORC Act should also help with housing to really make a difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
healthcare aide (Miami, FL)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be a great move for me to find a steady role in healthcare.
- Balancing work and family duties is hard without support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
freelance graphic designer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The WORC Act could offer guidance and credentials to boost my freelance work.
- While I'm managing, formal support would relieve some pressure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
community volunteer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am glad to hear there are more programs being rolled out for reintegration.
- I think more focus on mental health support is vital in these programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
fast food worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I need this type of initiative to keep me from going back.
- Getting a diploma would open more doors for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
retired (Austin, TX)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see firsthand how important such programs are for reducing recidivism.
- Support for incarcerated individuals means better community outcomes overall.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1700000000)
Year 2: $1350000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1550000000)
Year 3: $1200000000 (Low: $1050000000, High: $1400000000)
Year 5: $1100000000 (Low: $950000000, High: $1250000000)
Year 10: $1000000000 (Low: $860000000, High: $1150000000)
Year 100: $700000000 (Low: $605000000, High: $800000000)
Key Considerations
- Effective measurement of program success in reducing recidivism is crucial for justifying ongoing expenditures.
- The implementation cost may vary significantly based on the geographic area and the level of existing infrastructure.
- Coordination with state-level agencies will be necessary for maximizing the program's reach and impact.