LINCOLN- In 2014, the Nebraska State Legislature began the Vocational and Life Skills Program (VLS program), part of the legislature's prison reform efforts, which funded several programs to teach inmates valuable employment skills and prepare them for life outside of prison.

Since its creation in 2014, the VLS program has helped almost 6,000 inmates learn skills like carpentry, welding, and drywalling. This year, the Legislature increased spending on these training programs from $3.5 million to $5 million, and has hired the University of Nebraska Omaha to issue quarterly and annual reports on the success of the programs. In a recent study from the University, Michael Campagna, a co-author, stated that the teaching of these re-entry skills has given some inmates a greater sense of optimism and motivation,

When discussing the trainers and teachers of these skills, Campagna stated that "they're the first people in years who have treated [the inmates] like real human beings. Inmates appreciate that and want more of that."

One inmate, who was quoted in the report from the University, stated that he "wasn't believing in [himself]. There wasn't too many people around that were believing in me, but these folks, they did."

However, although a reported 71% of participants completed their classes in the VLS program, the University stated that the program should shift to include classes on mental health, computer use, and "pro-social" behaviors to allow inmates who have been in jail for years to better acquaint themselves with modern technology and ideals.

As the recidivism rate increases (from 27.7% in 2010 to 30.2% in 2018), Campagna believes that programs should shift to focus on teaching maturity and reconnection with family and children. He believes these connections will help lower recidivism and allow inmates to better reingratiate themselves into society.

For the full article click HERE