A Re-Entry Leadership Program

ILRC Program Overview

The ILIA Reentry Leadership Certificate (IRLC) Program is a basic life skills and character development certification program. Inmates who meet qualification criteria can enroll while incarcerated or after reentry.

• The qualification criteria includes free enrollment in ILIA’s Mentoring and Coaching or equivalent program for at least 3 months with a solid performance track record, recommendation form the correctional institution and successful completion of a simple qualification test.

• Certification requires completion a civic engagement project and achieving 19 ILIA Educational Units (IEUs).

• Courses include core courses for all students and a set of courses from one of four specialized tracks

• Certificate project involves assuming a leadership role through civic engagement for example leading the planning of a youth field trip, organizing a football tournament, leading a shift at a local soup kitchen, leading a stream cleaning project, etc..

• Each course involves attendance of 6 contact hrs, and a 1 hr exam.

• Students must score 80% or higher in a course to receive an IEU.

• All courses must be completed within 24 months of enrollment.

• Some courses are offered in partnership with local community colleges and vocational institutes.

• No tuition cost to students, funded through donations and grants. Nominal admission fee applies and can be waived for financially eligible students.

• Partnerships with local correctional institutions for facility and instructional delivery resources

• Subject matter, books and instruction provided by ILIA.

The Role of Leadership Training in Re-entry

On September 22, 2012, Jack Kavanagh, Howard County Detention Center Director, shared information about incarceration in the United States and the significance of reentry programs to the society. Mr. Kavangh discusses how programs such as I Can Lead introduce a new paradigm in inmate development and character building over traditional approaches. I Can Lead, a leadership-based inmate reentry program provides inmates not only the skills needed to succeed at reentry, but also the empowerment to grow and excel beyond the boundaries and constraints faced by inmates.