Reentry Simulation

As part of Checkr’s mission to promote fair hiring practices, I designed an interactive role-playing game to help audiences learn about common barriers to reentry after incarceration, such as securing employment and housing.

Responsible
Interviewing
Storyboarding & storytelling
Authoring & testing
Marketing

Summary

  • Fair chance hiring principles are embedded throughout Checkr’s technology and mission. To educate customers on their value, Checkr would host in-person versions of a reentry simulation, where participants would simulate a formerly incarcerated person and attempt to get a job, find housing, while strictly honoring their parole.

    The in-person events were massive lifts, requiring dozens of dedicated volunteers to prepare and facilitate the activity. Due to high costs of materials, overhead, and labor, Checkr could only deliver the experience twice a year, and for limited numbers of people.

  • To scale the delivery and reduce costs, I designed a digital version of the simulation with gamified elements and a cohesive character story. I oversaw the entire life cycle from conception, interviewing, storyboarding, wire framing, prototyping, testing, deployment, and marketing.

  • The simulation has been integral to enlightening employees, partners, and customers, and positioning Checkr as a thought leader in fair hiring discourse.

    The project won a 2020 Award for Games for Good/Social Entrepreneurship/Non Profit Games by Serious Play Conference.

  • Articulate Storyline, Illustrator, Camtasia

To educate customers on fair chance hiring, Checkr hosts in-person reentry simulations, where participants role play formerly incarcerated individuals and attempt to secure a job and housing.

These events are massive lifts, including dozens of dedicated volunteers, special materials, extensive planning, and overhead.

Checkr could only host the event for a limited number of times a year, and for limited numbers of people.

The Problem

I synthesized my findings and drafted a storyboard outlining the specific events, triggers, calls-to-action, paths and next steps involved with the gaming element of the simulation. (Authored in Articulate Storyline)

The Reentry Simulation is meant to provide insight into common experiences and feelings that people reentering society often face. The end goals of the learning is for audiences to:

  • Knowledge: Have a basic understanding of common barriers, institutions, and stigmatic, systematic forces involved with reentering society after incarceration.

  • Behavior change: Consider and advocate fair hiring practices and laws.

As there are over tens of millions of people in the U.S. with conviction records, many of whom are seeking gainful employment, there are many different experiences to hear and learn from.


I sought to create a singular fictional character in the virtual reentry simulation that illustrates a coherent narrative conducive to the learning goals of the activity. To design the character, I researched narratives and conducted interviews of people kindly open to sharing their stories.

The Process

Storytelling

The learner is able to follow the main character through their entire arc, from release, to living in a halfway house, to applying for work, to finding legal defense, to meeting their probation officer, and more.

The more time and experiences the audience spends with the character, the more the activity can retain a significant impression on the audience.

Gamification

The simulation works like an RPG (role-playing game).

The learner takes on a character and is given a limited amount of money and is immediately court ordered to secure work, long term housing, and fulfill their probation requirements.

The learner is constantly engaged and presented with tasks and choices, which affect the amount of money in their wallet.

The Solution

The simulation has been integral to enlightening employees, partners, and customers, and positioning Checkr as a thought leader in fair chance hiring discourse.

The project has also won a 2020 Award for Games for Good/Social Entrepreneurship/Non Profit Games by Serious Play Conference.

The simulation is available join virtually and in-person.

Results