Mock Job Fair Program FAQs
1. What is the Inmate Transition Branch?
2. What is the Volunteer Coordinator Program?
3. What is a mock job fair?
4. What documents should be obtained by inmates prior to release?
5. What is contained in the Inmate Release Folder?
6. What is the UNICOR Bonding Program?
7. What Federal Tax Program incentives programs exist for ex-offenders?
8. Who should assist an inmate in the process for preparing a résumé?
9. How do Residential Reentry Centers help inmates get jobs?
10. What is America's Labor Market Information (ALMIS)?
11. What is the first item of importance when planning a mock job fair?
12. What governement website provides information about the Inmate Transition Branch?
13. What is the best resource for information about conducting a mock job fair?
14. What is an Employment Resource Center (ERC)?
15. What are One-Stop Career Centers?
16. What should inmates have with them when they reach a Residential Reentry Center?
17. How can I contact the Inmate Transition Branch?
1. What is the Inmate Transition Branch?
The ITB assists federal correctional institutions to conduct mock job fairs and to establish employment resource
centers (ERC). ERC’s assist inmates to prepare for job searches and to assemble in, employment
folders, all documents required by employers who may hire them. Each of these efforts stress the
importance of motivating inmates to focus on their transition to employment, their families and their
communities at least 18 months before their expected release dates.
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2. What is the Volunteer Coordinator Program?
Volunteer programs play a major role in the sequence of pre-release activities.
The ITB provides guidance and policy to all institutions to encourage the recruitment of
volunteers who support the personal development of inmates. Inmates strengthen many of their
own personal skills as Volunteer Coordinators engage in program efforts which clearly project
the agency’s commitment to education, faith, the environment, public safety and the welfare
of the surrounding community.
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3. What is a mock job fair?
Employer representatives conduct mock job interviews with the inmates and provide
them with constructive feedback at the end of each session.
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4. What documents should be obtained by inmates prior to release?
A Social Security Card, a copy of his/her birth certificate, and an application for
a driver’s license, and any other documents needed by the inmate.
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5. What is contained in the Inmate Release Folder?
A résumé, certificates of accomplishments, education transcripts, diplomas,
letters of reference and any other pertinent information.
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6. What is the UNICOR Bonding Program?
A new program, initiated in February, 2006 provides a $5,000 fidelity bond for
employed ex-federal prisoners who worked in Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR)
for at least six months during incarceration.
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7. What Federal Tax Program incentives programs exist for ex-offenders?
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), authorized by the Small Business Job Protection Act
of 1996 (P.L.104-188), is a federal tax credit that encourages employers to hire targeted groups
of job seekers by reducing employers' federal income tax liability by as much as $2,400 per
qualified new worker; $750 if working 120 hours, or $1,200 if working 400 hours or more per
qualified summer youth.
The Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit (WtW) is a federal income tax credit that encourages employers to
hire long-term welfare recipients. Established by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, this tax
credit can reduce employers' federal tax liability by as much as $8,500 per new hire.
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8. Who should assist an inmate in the process for preparing a résumé?
The Mock Job Fair Coordinator should provide inmates with an opportunity to
write, type, and have their résumé reviewed.
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9. How do Residential Reentry Centers help inmates get jobs?
They provide employment leads, employability skills training, and follow-up
support to those inmates seeking jobs.
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10. What is America's Labor Market Information (ALMIS)?
ALMIS employer database provides the Mock Job Fair Coordinator with information about
geographic location and companies that have job openings that meet ex-offender skills.
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11. What is the first item of importance when planning a mock job fair?
Seek the support of the Warden
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12. What governement website provides information about the Inmate Transition Branch?
www.unicor.gov/about/about_fpi_programs/inmate_transition
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13. What is the best resource for information about conducting a mock job fair?
The Mock Job Fair Handbook
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14. What is an Employment Resource Center (ERC)?
An ERC contains inmate resource aids to provide basic assistance, tables, chairs,
filing cabinet, and bookshelves, and career resource CDs, publications, and videos.
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15. What are One-Stop Career Centers?
Federal and State Departments of Labor career system-building centers
designed to aid people looking for jobs.
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16. What should inmates have with them when they reach a Residential Reentry Center?
A job application, résumé, and social security card; birth certificate or a certified copy,
application for driver licence, and any other pertinent documents to enhance employability;
and, education transcript and any other academic/vocational achievement documents.
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17. How can I contact the Inmate Transition Branch?
You can contact the Inmate Transition Branch through the UNICOR website:
www.unicor.gov/about/about_fpi_programs/inmate_transition/,
through e-mail to smccollum@bop.gov, or telephone 202-305-3860, 8128, 3553, and 3872.
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