Targeting Recidivism?

The governor of Tennessee has introduced a plan to reduce crime in his state.  The Memphis Commercial Appeal published this editorial on the plan recently.  Gov. Bill Haslem's plan focuses on increased criminal penalties for domestic violence, and on the larger issue of recidivism.  On recidivism, the editorial reads:

As for parolees, too many are released from prison without the skills and support system to help them   make it on the outside. Their parolee status makes it almost impossible for them to get jobs.In Tennessee, 40 percent of parolees find themselves back in prison for some type of parole violation or because they revert back to their criminal ways. Haslam's one-stop shop idea would provide a place where parolees could get help with job skills, GED preparation and medical assistance on a case-by-case basis.
Not every parolee will want help, but for those who want a fresh start, they could find the help and support they need.

I applaud Gov. Haslem for having the plight of parolees on his public policy radar.  Parolees, as well as the many more persons convicted of crimes who don't go to prison, definitely need help with job skills, GED preparation, and with addressing medical needs.  I'd like the good governor to know, however,  that directing resources at these elements of the reentry experience only addresses half of the recidivism equation.  The other half of that equation--the one not mentioned in the editorial, at least--is jobs.

Just as we can solve no mathematical equation without addressing both sides of the equation, the recidivism equation will remain an unsolved problem until we devote much more attention to the creation of job opportunities for persons with a criminal background. 

And, for the record, most every parolee I know does want help; most of them just don't believe it is in the offing.