The Benefits of Employment for Ex-ConvictsOver the past thirty years, the crime rate in the United States has declined, but the number of people incarcerated increased due to longer minimum sentences and stricter parole conditions being established. Offenders are serving longer prison sentences, leading to various employment-related barriers to overcome upon release (Bracey 253). In the state of Nebraska, ex-offenders find little help in their job search. On the Department of Corrections website, the mission statement reads: The mission of the Department of Corrections is to serve and protect the public by providing control, humane care, and program opportunities to individuals placed under its care and supervision, thus facilitating their reintegration into society as responsible persons (“Nebraska” par 1). Yet ex-offenders in Nebraska are unable to find employment once re-entered into society, even though having a job is a necessary part of becoming a responsible citizen. The Nebraska Department of Corrections should make more targeted efforts to help offenders find long-term employment upon release from prison. Employment is an important factor for ex-offenders (Rakis 7). They need stable employment to meet their needs, provide them with income and housing. If an ex-offender has a family to support, this income becomes even more crucial (Pannkuk). Ex-offenders need secure jobs with reasonable wages and benefits. In the current state of the economy, it is not possible to live on minimum wage, especially if you are trying to support your family (Pannkuk). Having a secure job will also make the transition from prison to normal life easier. Employed ex-offenders have lower recidivism rates in the middle of the document......een Prisoner Reentry and Work, May 19-20, 2003: Barriers to employment facing ex-offenders. New York University School of Law, 2003, “Nebraska Department of Corrections.” Nebraska Department of Corrections. Np, and Web. March 8, 2010. .Oswald, Joyce. “Job Fairs in U.S. State Prisons: Summary of Research Findings.” » Journal of Correctional Education 56.2 (2005): 174-185. January 15, 2010. Wilson Web. Rakis, John. “Improving Employment Rates for Former Parolees.” Federal Probation 69.1 (2005): 7-12. January 15, 2010. Wilson Web, “Recidivism.” Dictionary.com full version. Random House, Inc. February 8, 2010. Dictionary.com. Pannkuk, Janee. Email interview. January 10, 2010. Smith, Dawn-Renee. Email interview. February 19. 2010.