Alison.com, one of the world’s largest free-to-use online learning and empowerment platforms, reaffirms its support for previously convicted individuals through its Workforce Re-Entry Programme. This social initiative aims to empower the formerly incarcerated with the knowledge and skills training they need to re-enter the workplace.
Alison believes that education is a beneficial and empowering tool that should be used to lower recidivism rates in the US. The cost to incarcerate one individual in the US can range between $30,000 and $130,000 from state to state1, and every dollar spent on educating an incarcerated learner saves the state $5 in operating and re-incarceration costs2. The Workforce Re-Entry Programme from Alison offers educational support to those who have previously been in a prison or correctional facility.
Less than half of people incarcerated in America have attained a high-school diploma and are therefore less likely to hold a position that pays more than the national minimum wage3. Alison’s Workforce Re-Entry Skills course teaches former convicts how to search for and apply for their ideal jobs, including how to write a strong résumé. It also teaches the key skills expected by employers. The course is free to complete and takes 15-20 hours from start to finish. So far over twelve thousand people have taken the course following their release.
In addition, Alison is making certification increasingly accessible by offering a 50% discount on certification prices for ex-convicts. This allows learners access to a certificate that they can be proud of and can present to parole boards, Workforce Development providers, and potential employers in order to display their commitment to self-development and personal improvement. This also increases their long-term prospects staying out of prison in the future by having achieved a better career and lifestyle.
This initiative forms part of Alison’s social support programmes. Read more about how Alison is empowering marginalised communities: www.alison.com/programmes.
ENDS
Further Information
For further information please contact the Alison press office via email: [email protected].
Sources
- The costs to incarcerate one individual for one year ranges between $30,000 and $130,000 from state to state: The Sentencing Project
- For every dollar spent on educating an incarcerated learner, the state saves $5 in operating and re-incarceration costs: RAND Corporation
- Less than 50% of those incarcerated in America have a high school equivalency and are therefore less likely to hold a position that pays more than the national minimum wage: RAND Corporation
