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Evaluation of Second Chance Act Technology Careers Grant Program

Researcher(s): (Shawn M Flower)

(2014)

IGSR conducted a process and outcome evaluation of the Second Chance Act Technology Careers Program implemented by Maryland Correctional Education within the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR), under a grant from the U.S. (Bureau of Justice Assistance. The program, located at the Maryland Correctional Training Center (MCTC), enabled inmates being released to Baltimore City to obtain Desktop User Specialist (DUS) certificates and letters of recognition as Administrative Assistants. To conduct this evaluation, IGSR created data collection tools for the correctional facility and a follow-up service provider, Our Daily Bread Employment Center (ODBEC). Using data provided by DLLR, MCTC, and the service providers, the evaluation team found that participating inmates were very satisfied with the program. In addition, among those released and engaged by ODBEC, 62% were placed into an internship, and 87% were employed. Finally, among the 12 DUS participants released at least one year prior to the end the program, 92% did not return to prison during the year.