NCJ Number
179772
Journal
Corrections Today Magazine Volume: 61 Issue: 6 Dated: October 1999 Pages: 110-131
Date Published
1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Florida has two affiliated nonprofit organizations (PRIDE and RISE, USA); these organizations provide prerelease and post-release employment programs to prison inmates.
Abstract
Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises (PRIDE) is a correctional industries program that is a nonprofit corporation independent of the Florida Department of Corrections. PRIDE's prerelease component focuses on comprehensive job training and work in a productive business setting. PRIDE has provided full employment services to its workers leaving prison since 1987. PRIDE is totally self-supporting and continuously explores new products and markets. Beginning in January 1999, the company divested its employment services group and formed an affiliate company called RISE, USA (Renewed for Industries, Services and Employment). The purpose of RISE, a nonprofit corporation, is to provide job placement and related services for offenders and other underemployed persons in the Florida community. PRIDE now contracts with its partner, RISE, USA, to provide job placement services for its released workers. RISE also engages in job placement and related support activities for other hard-to-employ groups such as welfare recipients and offenders released from prison. Job review services are special RISE follow-up activities designed to help placed individuals develop and sustain their employment track. Successful and timely job placement for returning offenders is crucial to a successful and permanent transition from prison to free community. The PRIDE-RISE model and its application in a real-life setting is one approach that works in filling a gap in an otherwise productive and life-changing correctional industry program. Figure and 5 references