Curriculum Review of Putting the Bars Behind You Workbook Package

Curriculum Review of Putting the Bars Behind You Workbook Package

by Sarah Barton, FASTEN Editorial Staff, 2005

The Putting the Bars Behind You Workbook Package is published by Jist Publishing, Inc., a leader in resources dealing with careers, job search and retention, and life skills.  Jist’s resources promote self-directed behaviors and attitudes.  The Putting the Bars Behind You Series is aimed at helping ex-offenders develop life skills, identify their strengths and skills, develop job search and job retention skills, and network and interview for jobs.

This series consists of five workbooks, each addressing a concentrated subject area.  The first, “The ‘Double You:’ The Person You Are and the Person You Want to Be,” helps the ex-offender to learn from his past mistakes and set goals for a successful future.  Ex-offenders examine both who they are and who they want to be.  In addition, offenders reentering society learn important life skills, such as having a positive attitude, making good choices, staying sober, and resolving conflicts peacefully. The workbook also introduces an ex-offender to steps he can take to prepare for the job search.  It addresses the challenges an ex-offender will face when searching for a job, the importance of an education, and how to overcome fear and procrastination and to instead project enthusiasm and confidence.  .

“Being ‘Job-Ready’:  Identify Your Skills, Strengths, and Career Goals” is the second workbook in this series. It helps ex-offenders to identify their strengths and weakness, identify and document their work and life experiences, and hone in on career options and goals.  Ex-offenders are given guidance about how to distinguish between their strengths and their skills, and are helped to identify their work priorities.  The workbook helps them to examine all of the experiences, work, training, and other activities that could help them in their job search.  In addition, it provides tools that will assist them in identifying both personality skills and general job skills.  This workbook helps ex-offenders to utilize this information to determine the types of jobs that will match their skills and what types of additional training they will need to advance to other jobs they are interested in pursuing.

The third workbook in this series, “Job Search Tools:  Resumes, Applications, and Cover Letters,” provides guidance about how, why, and when to use resumes, applications, cover letters, and follow-up and thank-you notes.  Extensive information is provided about functional and chronological resumes and tailoring resumes to fit the job being sought; there is also a “frequently asked questions” section and sample resumes.  The workbook provides step-by-step instruction about filling out the various sections of an employment application and the information they will need to complete it.  It also offers examples of how not to fill out an application. Samples of applications are given to prepare ex-offenders for the types they may encounter during their job search.  Ex-offenders are also instructed on when and how to write cover letters and follow-up letters.

The fourth workbook, “Networking and Interviewing for Jobs,” provides ex-offenders with guidance about how to network and utilize other techniques to find the “hidden job market.”  It strengthens ex-offenders’ readiness for interviews by teaching them how to become knowledgeable about the prospective employer, what the appropriate questions are to ask, and how to respond effectively to difficult questions about incarceration. Role-playing and other tools are also described.  Ex-offenders will learn about the goals of the interview and how to “guide” it to present themselves in the best light possible. 

The final workbook in The Putting the Bars Behind You Series is “Keeping Your Job:  Survive and Succeed in a New Job.”  This workbook is aimed at providing ex-offenders with the skills they need to retain the jobs they have obtained.  It helps ex-offenders to develop good work habits and improve their time management, communication, and stress management skills. It also discusses the importance of balancing work with family and leisure activities.

Each chapter in the workbooks begins by identifying its goals.  Examples provide advice from ex-offenders who have successfully transitioned to the outside world.  “Think About It” sections include exercises that encourage ex-offenders to reflect upon what they have read and write out answers.  “Hints and Tips” provide additional guidance about the subject being discussed.  Finally, “Checkpoint” sections provide an opportunity for ex-offenders to review what they have learned in the chapter.

A helpful Putting the Bars Behind You Instructor’s Resource Manual is available for use with this series of workbooks.  The instructor’s manual is divided into five sections, each of which covers one of the five workbooks.  It provides guidance about how to effectively present the information to students as well as additional activities, quizzes and answer keys. The guide contains additional helpful tools, such as a detailed list of materials, tips about how to facilitate group discussions, and “Do’s and Don’ts” for small group behavior.