A new study shows virtual reality job interview training can significantly improve employment outcomes for people leaving prison, with participants 3.76 times more likely to find work within six months of release.
Researchers from the University of Michigan tested the technology at two Michigan correctional facilities, comparing 101 participants who received either standard vocational training or standard training plus virtual reality job interview simulation.
The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Criminology, found those who used the virtual reality system found jobs 14 days faster on average than those who received only traditional training.
Technology addresses critical employment barrier
The virtual reality program, called VR-JIT, simulates realistic job interviews with a virtual hiring manager using speech recognition software. Participants practice with different difficulty levels and receive automated feedback on their performance.
“Successfully navigating job interviews is a critical barrier to getting a job for returning citizens, and there are no evidence-based job interview training practices in corrections,” the researchers said.
Employment rates for people leaving prison typically range between 25 and 45 per cent within the first four years after release, according to the study. The research found 82.3 per cent of participants who used virtual reality training found employment within six months, compared to 73.5 per cent who received standard training alone.
Prison program shows measurable results
The study took place at Michigan’s Vocational Villages, specialized residential programs where inmates live and study together while preparing for release. These programs focus on 13 vocational trades including welding, carpentry and commercial driving.
Participants who used the virtual reality training showed significant improvements in job interview skills and motivation compared to the control group. The technology also reduced interview-related anxiety, researchers found.
The virtual reality system allows users to practice disclosing prior convictions in a judgment-free environment, addressing a major challenge for job seekers with criminal records.
Low recidivism rates across both groups
Both groups showed low recidivism rates at six months post-release, with no participants in the standard training group and 3.1 per cent in the virtual reality group re-arrested within the follow-up period.
The study involved participants who had served an average of 10 years in prison and were within three months of release. Most were aged 36-38 and enrolled in the voluntary Vocational Villages program.
Implementation challenges noted
The research faced limitations due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which reduced the planned sample size from 150 to 101 participants. Some sessions were conducted remotely rather than in person as originally designed.
The study’s focus on male participants serving longer sentences may limit the applicability of results to other populations, researchers noted.
The virtual reality training system is commercially available through SIMmersion LLC, with the University of Michigan receiving royalties on a different version adapted for autistic youth and adults.
Future research planned
Researchers say additional studies are needed to test the technology in other correctional settings and identify optimal delivery strategies within prison-based employment programs.
The study was funded by the National Institute of Justice and conducted in partnership with the Michigan Department of Corrections.
See the full paper here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11292-025-09684-7
