EXCEL serves offenders residing in, or being released from, correctional institutions at Lino Lakes, Oak Park Heights, Rush City, Shakopee, Stillwater, Red Wing, Moose Lake, Faribault, Togo, and St. Cloud. The purpose of the program is to strengthen offenders’ ability to realistically plan for the transition from prison to the community and to increase their chances of becoming self-sufficient upon release.

The program consists of three parts:

• A pre-release classroom component conducted in each institution
• A post-release, community-based Job Club, which provides a structured environment in which the skills necessary to prepare for, and keep, a job are taught
• A one day intensive employment seminar focusing on developing individual tools needed for a successful job search.

Services
Classroom component: Classes and training are offered on subjects such as job seeking and retention skills, community resources, housing issues, and restorative justice.

Job Club: The program helps recently released offenders currently supervised by the Minnesota Department of Corrections in: supervised release, work release, intensive supervised release, and challenge incarceration program. Services include assistance to secure identification, complete job applications, assemble resumes, find job leads, improve interviewing skills, arrange transportation to and from interviews, and resolve other barriers to employment.

Measuring results
The EXCEL program is evaluated by Wilder Research.