(Re-Integration of Offenders)

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.

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

For more information contact:

Workforce Solutions
Permian Basin
2626 JBS Parkway, Bldg. D
Odessa, TX 79762
Tel: 432.367.3332
Toll: 1.800.248.6451
Jose Romo, Project RIO Services

or

Workforce Solutions
Permian Basin
3510 North A Street, Bldg. A
Midland, TX 79705
Tel: 432.687.3003
Toll: 1.800.523.3003
Project RIO Services

or

Workforce Solutions
Permian Basin
501 S. Main Street, 2nd Floor
Big Spring, TX 79720
Tel: 432.263.8373
Toll: 1.800.749.8373
Project RIO Services

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