For many incarcerated individuals, reentering society brings on a whole new set of challenges. Multiple studies have shown that 60% of this population remain unemployed for one year after their release. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, those who aren’t able to maintain employment in the first three years post-release have a recidivism rate of 52%. Those who acquire new skills and hold a job during incarceration are 24% less likely to return to prison because of their increased employment opportunities.
Meanwhile, in our current labor market, there’s widespread demand for skilled workers. Recent labor data shows there were approximately 8 million job openings across the country in February of 2025, but just 6.5 million unemployed individuals to fill them.
There’s an opportunity for states to address labor shortages with educational programs in prison systems. Preparing incarcerated individuals for employment significantly increases the odds of reentry success and simultaneously helps employers find qualified candidates in their communities.
A data-driven approach: uncovering what works
Through Resultant’s Reintegration Pathways solution, we’ve started working with states to quantify program activity and its predicted impact on recidivism and employment, analyzing digital literacy rates, adoption of digital tools, enrollment in effective courses, opportunities for program expansion, and potential for increased economic mobility.
What are incarcerated individuals learning? Are there gaps in learning that need to be addressed? What programs are most effective? How should investments be redirected from ineffective programs to proven ones? Are there opportunities to increase enrollment in digital education?
Quantifiable answers to these questions make it possible to get the right tools and the right education in the hands of the right people, which maximizes program efficiency and drives better outcomes. Case managers can also use the insights gained from Reintegration Pathways to make informed, personalized recommendations for each individual.
Breaking barriers: the power of digital education in corrections
Traditional, in-person prison education is failing due to a lack of availability of educational programs. Reintegration Pathways removes geographic and staffing barriers by making educational content available anywhere, at any time. Programs can seamlessly scale as needed to prepare more individuals, more effectively, for the workforce.
As part of the Reintegration Pathways solution, we provide the Google Classroom learning management system and Chromebook devices, both of which are widely used in schools across the country. When customized for stringent security requirements and combined with Google Workspace, prison systems can develop secure, scalable, and flexible cloud-based educational programs.
Programs can also integrate with partner learning management systems, enabling collaboration with technical colleges and other resources. This model expands access to education, enhances digital literacy, and empowers incarcerated people with the skills and knowledge required to fill important roles upon reentry.
The ROI for states: cost savings and workforce development
Given the already limited resources of prisons, states should be exploring opportunities to reduce incarceration costs by reducing recidivism. Developing educational programs that help incarcerated individuals become successful when they leave the prison system makes them less likely to return.
States can use modern data analytics platforms to maximize limited resources, improve staffing efficiency, and reduce operational costs without compromising safety. There’s also a strong economic case to be made at the state and local level for leveraging Reintegration Pathways to prepare incarcerated individuals with skills to address labor shortages. More jobs filled means greater performance for businesses and economic growth for the larger community.
Of course, achieving these outcomes requires states to invest in smart, data-driven education solutions. Consider the case of Michigan, one of the many states we’ve partnered with, that worked with Resultant to integrate a modern solution with existing systems. We helped them successfully distribute Chromebooks to incarcerated individuals, create a secure learning environment, and offer digital education programs with far-reaching benefits.
Conclusion: turning challenges into opportunities
More states are beginning to embrace a vision for the future in which every incarcerated learner has an opportunity to succeed through digital education. It’s the right thing to do as a society, and there are tremendous benefits for prisons, employers, and labor markets.
We encourage state leaders in corrections, education, and workforce development to explore how Reintegration Pathways can deliver positive outcomes for individuals and communities. Contact us today to discuss how Resultant can develop a customized solution for your state.
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