Is there any company in the Dallas, Texas area that hires ex felons?

Question

My son will be getting out of prison soon and he will be looking for a job on the Dallas area. I heard it is tough to find a job when your an ex felon, but I am wanting to know if this is true or not.

Answer 1

Project RIO

(Re-Integration of Offenders)

Texas is not without its success stories. Project RIO (Reintegration of Offenders) through the Texas Workforce Commission provides help to freed offenders, and the prison system offers vocational training to inmates. The connections are obvious: a job means a better chance to succeed.

-Austin American Statesman, Editorial August 22, 2003

Project RIO is administered by the Texas Workforce Commission in collaboration with Local Workforce Development Boards, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), the Windham School District and The Texas Youth Commission (TYC). The project provides a link between education, training and employment during incarceration with employment, training and education after release.

The program is designed to reduce recidivism through employment. Numerous studies have shown reduced recidivism rates for employed ex-offenders. Even when one takes into account other factors such as age, risk score, race/ethnicity and type of previous offense, post-release employment reduced rearrests and reincarcerations.

Services are offered to program participants pre- and post-release. An individualized treatment plan is developed to identify a career path for the offender and to guide placement decisions. Prior to release, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted to assess the needs of the offender and assist in the selection and placement in Windham, college, TDCJ and TYC programs. The evaluation process is a multi-step approach that includes information gathering, goal-setting, program placement and offender self-assessment.

Project RIO staff encourage participants to take advantage of educational and vocational services and assist offenders in obtaining documents necessary for employment. Unit or facility staff also provide placement services to give offenders practical work experience in their areas of training.

"He told me he'd prove himself in a short period, and he was 100 percent right...He's probably our lead guy in the shop" -David Wendt, owner of Nailhead Spur in Llano, quoted in Texas Workforce Solutions, July 2005, speaking about his Project RIO Employee.

After release, TWC Project RIO staff provide ex-offenders with individualized workforce development services including job preparation and job search assistance. RIO participants attend structured job search workshops that focus on basic skills such as completing a work application, preparing a resume and performing in a mock interview. However, the most important aspect of the TWC Project RIO program is ex-offender employment as soon as possible after release.

Project RIO staff ensure that potential employers are aware of and take advantage of special incentives for hiring releasees. TWC Project RIO staff certify prospective employees for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program which provides a tax incentive to employers for hiring economically disadvantaged ex-offenders. Project RIO also makes available free fidelity bonding services to the employer community, making the employment of ex-offenders and adjudicated youth more attractive.

Project RIO Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008-2009 (PDF: 2.3 MB)

For additional information call:1-800-453-8140

or contact:

Texas Workforce Commission

Project RIO Staff

101 E. 15th Street

Austin, TX

Sorry for the book,but I just learned how to cut and paste,lol.

www.workintexas.com

Have you son go to this web site to register for work.

Click on "Register As Job Seeker". Fill in all the personal info and include desired job,desired pay,education level and what part of Texas you want to work in. Once,you've finished,you'll come to a page that says,"Congratulations,XXXXXYou have just registered for Work In Texas!" Print this page and save it for your records just in case you have to use Unemployment.