'Ex-inmates' job placement. a qualitative approach

The effectiveness of the measures taken from the prison system for the reintegration of inmates is a recurring debate in criminology. In this article, we analyze the extent to which occupational training and work programs in prisons contribute to social and professional reintegration of inmates and ex-inmates. The starting point is a research carried out in Catalonia through in-depth interviews with experts, inmates and ex-inmates. The main findings are: a) the occupational training and work programs contribute to the reintegration of prisoners moderately, according to their personal motivation and social resources; b) however, these programs would be decisive in therapeutic and educational aspects with regard to maintaining order and, indirectly, to the social rehabilitation of prisoners.