Case Study
CTE Program Puts Formerly Incarcerated Man on a Brighter Path
In February 2023, Louisiana granted John Sheehan release to community supervision after 36 years behind bars. A few weeks later, he started his new job as an automotive technician for Price LeBlanc Toyota in Baton Rouge. In just nine months, Sheehan brought home $56,000.
Sheehan attributes his stable life after incarceration to education:
“I would not be able to do this job without the certifications I earned while in prison.”
Sheehan threw himself into learning during his sentence, receiving multiple automotive certifications, an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree. He’s now fluent in just about every make and model of car and in the professional communications style needed to thrive on the outside. He also went on to teach automotive certification classes to others who are incarcerated using the iCEV Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum.
Louisiana Invests in Marketable-Skills Training
To reduce recidivism rates, Louisiana turned to a low-cost approach: educating people while incarcerated. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections aligns the CTE programs they offer with the high-demand, well-paying jobs in the regions where people will be released.
Many incarcerated individuals, including Sheehan, have benefited from the state’s investment in education. Now, the average Louisiana recidivism rate for those who received education services – 19 percent – is much lower than the average U.S. state recidivism rate of 68 percent.
The Department began using iCEV in 2019 to deliver CTE training and industry-recognized certifications. Industry-recognized job skills and certifications can make former residents more marketable and improve re-entry success. According to the Department, 432 learners have earned an industry certification through the iCEV Testing Platform with an average pass rate of 98 percent since 2023.
iCEV develops its curriculum and resources using state and national CTE standards and insights from industry leaders to best reflect the needs of real-world career expectations. iCEV’s more than 200 course subjects range from HVAC fundamentals to cosmetology to welding, with standards-aligned prep materials to ready students for certification exams.
The Department reports that incarcerated individuals have earned certifications within high demand fields as well as important business and life skills:
Certifications Earned by People Incarcerated in Louisiana |
|||
|
Certification |
Certifications Earned |
Pass Rate |
Average Grade |
|
Southwest Professional |
157 |
87% |
81% |
|
Personal Financial Literacy |
83 |
81% |
78% |
|
Career Preparedness |
50 |
94% |
82% |
|
Business Office Technology |
28 |
85% |
78% |
|
BASF Plant Science |
6 |
100% |
84% |
|
Food Safety & Science |
5 |
83% |
78% |
|
Meat Evaluation |
1 |
50% |
72% |
The most popular course, Job Life Skills with 193 successful completions, is a custom-built curriculum for Louisiana covering academic and career preparedness topics needed for employment in today’s workforce like basic computer skills and job interview tips. The Department primarily uses iCEV to deliver the Job Life Skills course.
Hard Work and Recognized Expertise Change Minds
Sheehan met his future employer, Brent LeBlanc, on a trip outside of the prison to promote the automotive program at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Sheehan was the onsite automotive shop instructor. While talking with Sheehan about the program, LeBlanc was challenged by a friend to think differently about people in prison.
“Mr. LeBlanc turned to his friend and asked, ‘How do you deal with being inside of the prison with people who committed murder or other crimes?’ His friend looked at him and said, ‘Look across the desk from you. You're sitting with one,’” describes Sheehan. “That opened his eyes to think that men who are in prison are not monsters. They made mistakes, but they can change their lives.”
They stayed in touch and developed a friendship. Years later, when Sheehan told LeBlanc that he was getting out of prison, he immediately offered him a job at his dealership.
“I love the work. I love the people here. They've treated me like family,” says Sheehan. “Mr. LeBlanc and I are reaching out to the prison system to hire more people like me.”
LeBlanc adds: “It's John who converted me. It's a win-win situation for us. There’s a lot of opportunity to do a lot of good for a lot of people.”
“We've started to change society from inside of the prison system,” adds Sheehan. “When somebody goes home and they become a tax paying citizen, become a better father, become a better husband, become a better friend—then they affect their whole orbit.”
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA
About iCEV
Since 1984, iCEV has specialized in providing quality CTE curriculum and educational resources. iCEV is the most comprehensive online resource for CTE educators and students, offering curriculum for several major subject areas, including agricultural science, trade & industrial education, business & marketing, career exploration, family & consumer science, trade & health science, law enforcement and STEM education. iCEV also acts as a certification testing platform for industry certifications. Recognized companies and organizations utilize iCEV as the testing platform for their certifications. Additionally, iCEV offers Eduthings, a CTE data management platform that simplifies reporting for industry certifications, work-based learning, CTSO participation, and more. For more information, visit www.icevonline.com.