Jobs for the Future Recognizes Orijin as an Innovator to Watch in Correctional Education
- Heather Harman
- Sep 2
- 3 min read
NEW YORK, NY – September 3, 2025 – Orijin, a national leader in correctional education technology, has been named one of Jobs for the Future’s (JFF) 2025 Innovators to Watch, a recognition reserved for organizations pioneering solutions that expand access to education, training, and career opportunities for justice-impacted individuals.
After reviewing more than 1,000 organizations working in correctional education and workforce development, JFF selected 11 Innovators that are redefining what’s possible for incarcerated learners. The organizations chosen are advancing secure, scalable, and inclusive approaches to education in some of the most challenging environments.
“Jobs for the Future is excited to include Orijin as an Innovator to Watch in our Transformative Edtech Solutions for Prison Learning market scan because their platform demonstrates what’s possible when technology is built for both secure learning environments and successful reentry,” said Rebecca Villareal, Senior Director, JFF’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement. “Orijin’s approach stands out for its ability to support education inside correctional facilities while equipping people with skills that translate to employment opportunities after release.”
Orijin was highlighted for its relentless pursuit of innovation—leveraging technology not only to deliver engaging learning experiences, but also to provide administrators with powerful data insights that ensure learners build skills for high-demand, good-paying jobs.
“This recognition affirms what we’ve believed since day one—that every justice-involved individual deserves access to education and pathways to meaningful work,” said Arti Finn, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Orijin. “Our learning platform meets people where they are while giving correctional leaders the tools to build safer, outcomes-driven facilities providing everyone a personalized pathway to sustainable employment.”
Technology with Measurable Impact
Founded in 2014, Orijin partners with correctional jurisdictions across the country to provide a cloud-based education and workforce development platform. The platform is deployed in 19 states and Washington, D.C., reaching more than 63,000 learners annually.
Orijin’s technology is linked to measurable, system-wide outcomes. In Blount County, Tennessee, leaders report a 50% reduction in recidivism among individuals who engage with Orijin’s platform. According to the Maryland Department of Labor, Orijin improved high school equivalency pass rates by 130%. Orijin partner Hancock County Jail in Greenfield, Indiana reported over $4.4 million in county savings, due to a significant reduction in recidivism. These outcomes underscore Orijin’s belief that evidence-based education improves reentry prospects for individuals returning to their communities.
Shaping the Future of Correctional Education
The JFF designation comes at a pivotal time. According to a 2025 Prison Policy Initiative report, more than 1.97 million people are incarcerated in federal, state, and local prisons, with approximately 95% expected to return to their communities.
Unlike many providers that prioritize entertainment or communications, Orijin is a “learning-first” company, intentionally designing its platform to keep incarcerated learners motivated. Features such as behavioral nudges, personalized “master plans,” and integrated workforce readiness benchmarks ensure incarcerated individuals not only access education, but also stay on track toward sustainable employment after release.
About Orijin
Orijin is transforming how correctional jurisdictions prepare incarcerated populations for employment. The Orijin platform delivers comprehensive learning and workforce development experiences, supported by motivational tools for learners and actionable insights for correctional staff. Orijin partners with jurisdictions and agencies including Massachusetts Department of Correction, Tennessee Department of Labor, and North Carolina Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to accelerate employability, ensuring that learning investments translate to reentry successes. As a public benefit corporation, Orijin is on a mission to prepare every justice-impacted individual for sustainable employment and change corrections for good. For more information, visit www.orijin.works.
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