PRESS RELEASE
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The United States, the world’s leader in incarceration, has 2 million people in prisons and jails—a 500% increase over the past 40 years, largely driven by sentencing laws and policies rather than rising crime rates, as reported by Prison Policy. Although states like New York and Massachusetts may appear progressive compared to Louisiana, every U.S. state incarcerates more people per capita than most other democracies.
In response to these staggering statistics, Nucleos, a Santa Cruz-based organization dedicated to educational and workforce empowerment in underserved communities, has partnered with TokuOra, a San Jose-based career-matching platform. This partnership aims to equip incarcerated individuals with clear, practical pathways to meaningful employment, helping to break the cycle of recidivism.
TokuOra uses advanced AI, machine learning, and psychometric tools to match individuals, including students, veterans, the homeless, and the formerly incarcerated, to 1-3 potential careers within 45 seconds. The platform then:
• Provides career videos for exploration,
• Lists the essential skills for each career,
• Links to upskilling opportunities through courses, programs, or apprenticeships,
• Tracks an individual’s employment journey from release onward.
“We know from research,” said Wayne Sharp, CEO of TokuOra, “that giving an incarcerated individual a path to purpose reduces the likelihood of recidivism by 85-90%. Our career-matching and upskilling tools, combined with Nucleos’ educational suite, provide invaluable resources for a successful reentry, ultimately saving states and taxpayers billions.”
Noah Freedman (Founder of Nucleos) says that by partnering with TokuOra, incarcerated individuals gain a streamlined pathway for identifying and using other partner solutions. The career matching provided by TokuOra helps clarify their career goals, making it easier to select the right tools and resources for skill development and reentry preparation. This cohesive approach ensures that each individual is better prepared for the transition, improving their readiness for successful reintegration into society
The lifelong impact of rehabilitation is evident in the words of one formerly incarcerated individual from North Carolina, who served time in both Edgefield, SC, and Bennettsville, SC: “Knowing one’s purpose is vitally important. Without it, people often turn to behaviors that harm them. Rehabilitation is a journey, and helping individuals discover their purpose is key.”
TokuOra recently completed a pilot with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), following a two-year procurement process. Over a month, 2,500 incarcerated individuals participated, resulting in key data insights for CDCR regarding program alignment and career matching. Among the top career matches, 299 participants were matched to Human Services, 291 to Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, and 286 to Health Science—critical fields for reentry success.
Despite the CDCR’s annual $8 billion expenditure on re-housing recidivists, TokuOra’s pilot concluded 22 months ago, with no response from CDCR leadership on implementing the program statewide.
For further information on reducing recidivism, contact Nucleos.
About Nucleos
Nucleos works with corrections, Workforce Development, and reentry to provide education and reentry services for those behind bars through cutting edge technology! If you would like to learn more about Nucleos, email info@nucleos.com.
About TokuOra
Headquartered in San Jose, TokuOra’s proprietary software matches individuals seeking employment, including students, veterans, parolees, and those starting new careers, with job opportunities tailored to their strengths and goals. Using algorithms, AI, and machine learning, TokuOra not only identifies fitting careers but also offers skills education and job placement support. For more information, visit TokuOra’s website.