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Employing Ex-Offenders - BOP Website

October 03, 2012

Work opportunities provide hope and a chance for achieving success to newly released Federal ex-offenders. Employers are encouraged to participate in creating opportunities to help individuals become law-abiding, productive citizens. Many ex-offenders are willing to start in minimum wage jobs that offer a future. The benefits of employing ex-offenders include:

Service to the public: By providing work opportunities, employers help ex-offenders become tax-paying citizens who contribute to the community, and give them a chance to share in the American dream.

Skilled employees: Most ex-offenders have completed programs designed to help them develop the skills needed to achieve success in the "world of work." Many have had employment and training in Federal Prison Industries (tradename: UNICOR), and/or in vocational and occupational training programs. Some have valuable skills and can fill jobs for which skilled workers are hard to find.

Possible eligibility for Government business incentives:

Bonding programs:

UNICOR's Federal Bonding Program Available to eligible Federal ex-offenders.

Federal Bonding Program, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employment & Training Administration: For ex-offenders without UNICOR work experience. Prospective employer or ex-offender employee may be eligible. Refer to DOL’s Directory of State Coordinators for points of contact to help determine eligibility.

Note: Some states offer a free service that provides individual fidelity bonds to employers for job applicants with a conviction record. Check with your state's employment service.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): Gives an immediate contribution to an employer's "bottom line" by providing eligible employers with a Federal tax credit for hiring an ex-offender.

Ex-Offender Employment Resources

Available on the internet:

U.S. Department of Labor:

Employment and Training Administration
CareerOneStop
Occupational Information Network
Employer Tax Credits
Occupational Outlook Handbook

U.S. Government Prining Office Publications:

U.S. Government Bookstore
Search for key words: career guide, tips for job finding, occupational projections, matching yourself to work, job-specific skills

U.S. Department of Education:

Federal Student Aid

American Council on Education:

Transcript Services (includes GED)

BOP:

Inmate Transition Branch: Employment Information Handbook (2011)
Education Branch: Obtaining a GED Transcript Post-Release

For more information on available resources, contact:
BOP-FPI/Inmate_Transition@bop.gov

http://www.bop.gov

UNICOR's Federal Bonding Program

The UNICOR Federal Bonding Program is designed to provide theft insurance to employers who hire ex-federal offenders. The Inmate Transition Branch (ITB) administers the program. Bonding coverage up to $5,000 is available to employers who hire ex-federal offenders after February 1, 2006.

Employers who have hired eligible ex-offenders may apply (on a standard application form) for the insurance, at no cost to the employers or to the employees. The initial bond, paid for by UNICOR, covers the first six months of employment and is renewable by the employer at commercial rates. In the event of theft of money or property, this insurance will reimburse the employer up to the bond value.

Eligibility: An ex-offender must have worked in UNICOR for at least six months during incarceration in a federal correctional institution and must seek coverage within one year after release. Each offender is entitled to coverage for one job after completing their residence/program at a residential re-entry center (RCC or halfway house, as it is commonly called).

Employment materials for ex-offenders:

employment folder sample
sample job application letter

Materials related to this program are available in institution inmate libraries and at employment resource centers. Additionally, these materials are available to RRCs and Federal Probation offices.