Virtual Reality Job Interview Training for Adults Receiving Prison-Based Employment Services: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility and Initial Effectiveness Trial

Abstract

Returning citizens struggle to obtain employment after release from prison, and navigating job interviews is a critical barrier they encounter. Implementing evidence-based interview training is a major gap in prison-based vocational services. We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the feasibility and initial effectiveness of Virtual Reality Job Interview Training within two prisons. Forty-four male returning citizens were randomized to receive service-as-usual (SAU) with VR-JIT (SAU+VR-JIT, <i>n</i> = 28) or SAU (<i>n</i> = 16). Participants reported VR-JIT was highly acceptable and usable. SAU+VR-JIT, as compared to SAU, had significant improvements (with large effect sizes) in interview skills, interview training motivation, and interview anxiety (all <i>p</i> < .05; ηp² > .15), and greater employment by 6-month follow-up (OR = 7.4, <i>p</i> = .045). VR-JIT can potentially help fill a major gap in prison-based services. Future research is needed to validate VR-JIT effectiveness and evaluate VR-JIT implementation strategies within prisons.