Solutions to Post-Incarceration Employment and Entrepreneurship: The Role of Businesses and Universities Lynn Allen, Technical Evangelist, Autodesk

1. © 2014 Autodesk
Folsom Prison
Autodesk Training Center
Lynn Allen
Autodesk Evangelist

2. © 2014 Autodesk
 Autodesk is the leader in 3D design, engineering
and entertainment software
 180 million users worldwide
Autodesk helps people imagine, design and
create a better world.

3. © 2014 Autodesk
 135 female inmate total enrollments (70 graduates
so far)
 45 students in each new group.
 6 month intensive program – 4 days a week
1,152 hours of hands-on technical training, testing,
and projects.
 3 full time Certified instructors
 Graduates are certified in
1 to 3 software products
(91 Professional
Certifications so far)
 Recidivism rate: 7%
Folsom Autodesk Training Center Program

4. © 2014 Autodesk
 California Prison Population 135.8% capacity
 Offenders cost CA Taxpayers $60,000 year
 65%of those released from California's prison
system return within three years
 CALPIA programs easily pay for themselves.
Other programs:
• Ironworkers
• Construction Labor
• Carpentry
• Commercial Diving and Welding
• Facilities Maintenance
• Computer Coding

5. © 2014 Autodesk
 IEP serves as Human Resources for the offenders and
provides transitional services to our paroling population
 Tools for the job interview process
 Connects potential employers up with
ex-offenders
 Housing, transition, etc.
Industry Employment Program

6. © 2014 Autodesk
 Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) – Federal Tax
Credit for hiring felons within one year of their release
 Regional Workforce Investment Boards (WIB’s) and
government agencies provide a variety of hiring incentives
for local companies
 On-The-Job Training (OJT) contracts reimburse
companies up to 50% of an eligible employee’s wages
during training periods
Hiring Incentives

7. © 2014 Autodesk
Folsom Prison
Autodesk Training Center
Lynn.allen@autodesk.com
@lynn_allen