The Project RIO (Reintegration of Offenders) program, organized within Windham School District's Division of Continuing Education, seeks to secure employment for releasees.
TDCJ's Role in Project RIO
While incarcerated at a TDCJ facility, participation in Project RIO is voluntary.
Adult offenders who are within 18 months of release or 36 months of release if under the age of 35 are eligible for Project RIO. Project Rio staff develop an Individual Employment Plan (S) with the offender to identify a career path and to serve as an assessment and evaluation tool. An important component of career path identification is accessing information regarding employer needs, employment information based on the latest labor market trends, and industry-driven occupations in the area where the offender plans to reside after release.
Project RIO participants receive counseling regarding educational, vocational, and work opportunities while incarcerated.Guidance in planning for a successful occupational reintegration into the community is available to TDCJ Project RIO participants.
Employment Documents
Project RIO Staff will attempt to gather the following employment documents:
- Driver License: Project RIO staff will attempt to obtain a Driver
License for eligible offenders. If a Driver License is obtained, the Birth
Certificate is not required.
- Social Security Cards: Project RIO staff will obtain an SSN
card if the offender is eligible and correctly complete the application
process.
- Birth Certificate: Project RIO staff will attempt to obtain
an original birth certificate if the offender family members, or friends
will provide the cost.
- DD214: If applicable, Project RIO staff will assist in obtaining
military records.
- Application for Employment: Project RIO staff will furnish a
Work in Texas application for
employment and assist in completing the application so the offenders may be prepared for their first interview either prior to or upon release.
Employer Incentives
- Work Opportunity Tax Credit: Incentives for employing ex-offenders
are available, such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit which provides
up to $2,400 dollars in tax credits per employee the first year he/she
is employed. The credit is used to reduce the federal tax liability of
private for-profit employers. The credit is based on 40 percent of up
to $6,000 in qualified wages during the first year of employment. The
exact amount of net tax savings depends upon each employer's tax bracket
plus qualified wages paid.
- Fidelity Bond: The Texas Workforce Commission's Project RIO's
Fidelity Bonding program could bond the ex-offender for $5,000. Larger
bonds may be issued if the State Bonding Coordinator will approve. A Fidelity
Bond is a business insurance policy that protects the employer in case
of any loss of money or property dues to employee dishonesty. It is like
a 'guarantee' 'to the employer that the person hired will be an honest
worker. The Fidelity Bonds are insurance policies of the Travelers Property
Casualty Insurance Company.
- Who to Contact for Incentives and Employment Information: Potential employers should contact the Texas Workforce Commission Project RIO office in Austin or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Project RIO office for questions regarding these incentives and the employment of ex-offenders.
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1-800-453-8140 email: john.ownby@twc.state.tx.us |
936-291-5328 email: britney.fowler@wsdtx.org |
See also: Employing Ex-offenders