How We Empower Formerly Incarcerated Women with Transformative Opportunities through Workforce Development

Every woman deserves meaningful opportunities that empower her to take charge of her life. At the Women’s Prison Association (WPA), our Workforce Development program gives formerly incarcerated women the resources and support they need to prepare for and pursue employment. 

“One of the greatest challenges people face after incarceration is securing a job; the hiring process has a built-in bias against people impacted by the system,” says Janet K. Cooper, Senior Director of Community-Based Programming & Workforce Planning at WPA. The Bureau of Justice Statistics found that approximately 60% of formerly incarcerated people are jobless in the first year after release. “To combat this obstacle, our Workforce Development program helps women navigate the hiring process and provides opportunities for gainful employment.” 

Through Workforce Development, cohorts of women meet in New York City over six weeks to bolster their industry knowledge and build confidence, covering hard and soft skills such as customer service, pay negotiation, budgeting, networking, stress management, conflict resolution, and growth mindsets. These classes guide women toward job-readiness in an understanding and compassionate environment, structured to help participants discover their strengths. 

“The Workforce Development program helped me by providing valuable skills and resources to improve my job prospects,” says Iyanna, a program participant. “I enjoy being a part of the cohort because it offers a sense of community and shared learning, which motivates me to stay focused on my goals.”

The program emphasizes empowerment, both at an individual and community level. “This is a group of women from different backgrounds and challenges, but when they come together and connect to each other, they build morale,” states Cooper. “Many of our participants came in feeling discouraged about job placement, and we were able to help them feel prepared and empowered.”

“This program allowed me to step out of my comfort zone,” notes Beasia, a program participant. Other women in her cohort also felt stronger and self-assured after completing the classes. “I feel like the program helped me be more confident,” program participant Keiona says. 

“What I like about being a WPA participant is that they give you many chances to grow. The Workforce Development program helped me work on my resume and cover letter,” says Christina, a recent graduate of the Customer Service cohort. Graduates left the cohort with certifications in customer service and were assisted with job placement through WPA’s partner organization, EDSI.

“As these women graduate with brand new resumés in hand, they will enter the workforce with the critical skills and support they need to achieve their goals. I was thrilled to lead this cohort and am excited to watch our program positively impact more women in the future,” states Cooper. 

Empowering justice-impacted women to take charge of their lives, the Workforce Development program is an essential part of WPA’s mission to uplift women after incarceration, helping them build limitless and fulfilling futures. To support our work and create possibilities for systems-involved women, click here.