Women in Jail: "Soft Skills" and Barriers to Employment

• NCJ Number: 205880
• Journal: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 38 Issue: 4 Dated: 2004 Pages: 51-71
• Author(s): Peggy Tonkin; Jill Dickie; Sonia Alemagno; Wendy Grove
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 21 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the level of employability "soft skills" for a sample (n=52) of female jail inmates.

Abstract

A synthesis of findings from five studies suggests several key competency/skill domains that are necessary for success in the work-force. These domains are basic skills (reading, writing, oral communication, and arithmetic skills); higher order thinking skills (creative problem solving and sound decisionmaking based on acquisition of knowledge); interpersonal and teamwork skills; and personal characteristics and attitudes (responsibility, integrity/honesty, self-esteem, motivation and goal setting, civic responsibility, and personal management skills). This study focused on the deficits of female jail inmates in the area of these employability skills. From the jail roster of a county jail in the Midwestern United States, a random sample of 52 women was selected to participate in the study. Basic reading and math skills were measured with the National Computer Systems, Inc. SRA reading and math indexes. Employment attitudes were measured with the Personnel Selection Inventory, and the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory measured attitudes toward substance use. Other instruments measured communication skills, interpersonal skills and conflict management, teamwork attitudes, goal orientation, and self-concept. A lack of basic necessities and emotional and physical illness were also measured as potential impediments to employability. The study found that women in the sample lacked basic skills, interpersonal/teamwork skills, and personal characteristics important for employability. As a whole, the sample had a seventh-grade reading level and a fourth-grade math level. Several barriers to employment were prevalent, notably, lack of transportation, emotional problems and/or chronic illness, and a high probability of substance abuse/dependency. The study suggests that interventions should focus on treatment for the barriers to employability and the "soft skills" in the interpersonal and personal areas of employability competencies. 7 tables and 25 references