This exploratory study, conducted by the American Institutes for Research® (AIR®) and the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison (the Alliance), aims to build a foundational understanding of how state laws, policies, and practices support or hinder the development of and access to work-based learning (WBL) opportunities for individuals who are incarcerated. Based on the study’s findings, AIR developed a guiding framework—or roadmap—that outlines the core components for implementing WBL programs in prison settings. This roadmap identifies four building block dimensions necessary for creating and sustaining these opportunities:

1. Buy-In and Championship
2. Policy Pathway
3. Education, Training, and Work Experience
4. Infrastructure Readiness

Starting with strong buy-in from state leadership, DOCs, and employers, WBL champions can identify or create supportive policy pathways and build on education, training, and work-related programming to develop WBL opportunities. Once these elements are in place, the necessary infrastructure must be built to support implementation, including technology access, systems for participant compensation, and logistical support.

By clearly outlining the essential components and emphasizing the importance of initial buy-in, this framework can help states’ WBL proponents to assess their current position and determine the steps needed to advance WBL opportunities for incarcerated individuals.