Securus Technologies Transforms Correctional Infrastructure into a Talent Pipeline to Address National Labor Shortages

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the United States faces a projected shortfall of more than five million skilled workers by 2032, correctional systems are emerging as an untapped engine for workforce development. Yet persistent digital access gaps and limited pathways to education and employment continue to restrict economic mobility for incarcerated individuals from Day One.

Securus Technologies, an industry leader in corrections technology, is addressing this challenge by reimagining correctional facilities as secure, technology-enabled talent incubators, embedding workforce preparation directly into daily incarceration workflows.

By deploying corrections‑grade tablet infrastructure to more than one million incarcerated individuals, Securus creates a continuous digital bridge that begins at intake and extends through post‑release employment. This Day 1 approach ensures individuals have consistent access to education, skills training, and career planning, rather than fragmented, short‑term programming that ends at release.

“Successful reentry starts at reception, not proximity to release,” said Stephanie Anderson, Chief Human Resource Officer, Securus Technologies. “Secure technology allows correctional systems to scale education and workforce training in ways that weren’t previously possible. Last year alone, our platforms facilitated more than 340,000 college credits and supported 150,000 workforce training participants, demonstrating that early, sustained access leads to real economic outcomes.”

Infrastructure of Opportunity: Education at Scale

Modern workforce demands require consistent digital access and literacy, not episodic programming. Through partnerships with 24 colleges, including institutions delivering federally approved, Pell‑funded programs, and several high-stakes vocational providers, Securus tablets deliver GED preparation, digital literacy, and career‑focused coursework directly to individuals inside facilities. This infrastructure ensures learning continuity, so individuals are not disconnected from technology, progress, or opportunity when returning and reintegrating into communities.

• Scalable Programming: Facilities expand structured learning without additional classroom space or staffing.
• Behavioral Readiness: Partnerships with R1 Learning provide evidence‑based life‑skills and recovery modules, generating more than 3.5 million data points to measure engagement and outcomes.
• Proven Engagement: An 87% activity completion rate and a 4.6‑out‑of‑5 user satisfaction score demonstrate sustained participation and focus on advancement.

From Learning to Earning: Turning Access into Employment

Education alone is not enough; the true impact comes from connecting preparation to real‑world opportunity. Through a growing partnership with Workbay, a career development platform available on Securus tablets, individuals can build resumes, explore career pathways, and connect with employers well before release.

• Direct Employment Pathways: Nearly 300,000 job applications have already been submitted through the platform in Texas and Florida.
• Economic Mobility: Participants securing employment through second‑chance initiatives earn average salaries of approximately $40,000, supporting family stability and local economies.
• Scalable Demand: In Texas, the program expanded to 102 correctional units within its first month, demonstrating the urgency for technology‑driven workforce solutions.

“Access changes outcomes,” said Mary Hayes, CEO of Workbay. “When individuals can start planning their careers early, building skills, confidence, and connections while still inside, it fundamentally shifts their reentry trajectory. Our partnership with Securus shows what’s possible when preparation begins on Day 1 and continues seamlessly into the workforce.”

Strengthening the Workforce Through Smarter Reentry

With more open jobs than available workers, correctional systems are becoming a critical part of the national workforce solution. By embedding secure, scalable technology into the foundation of the justice system, Securus is helping agencies, employers, and communities unlock a new source of skilled talent, strengthening the economy while improving reentry outcomes at scale.

About Securus Technologies

Securus Technologies, an Aventiv company and the industry leader, equips over 1,800 corrections agencies with 80-plus high-grade technology solutions to enhance public safety and optimize facility operations. Their offerings include secure communication, advanced monitoring, and the only corrections-grade Wi-Fi-enabled tablets featuring tamper alarms, GPS, fingerprint authentication, secure LTE, and a private Google Play Store. Securus’ products and services modernize administration, automate workflows, and centralize communication for staff, while creating vital e- and video connections for incarcerated individuals with family, friends, and resources like education and workforce development, ultimately strengthening community safety and economic stability. For more information, please visit https://aventiv.com/securus-technologies/ or join us on social media on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook.