Abstract: Despite the growing policy emphasis on correctional rehabilitation in Tanzania, former prisoners continue to face pervasive post-release challenges, including unemployment, social exclusion, and inadequate vocational skills. To address these concerns, this study investigated prisoners’ and prison staff’s perceptions of the role and operational experiences of vocational training programs in facilitating skills development and social reintegration within selected Tanzanian prisons. Employing a concurrent explanatory mixed-methods design, quantitative data were gathered from 100 current inmates via structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with 8 post-release prisoners and 8 key informants (vocational trainers and correctional officers), complemented by focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics were utilized for quantitative analysis, whereas qualitative narratives were analyzed using reflective thematic analysis. The findings reveal that current vocational offerings, spanning trades such as tailoring, carpentry, welding, and agriculture are aligned with national certification frameworks and yield substantial psychological transformation, enhanced self-reliance, improved discipline, and heightened self-confidence among inmates. However, program effectiveness remains constrained by resource scarcity, limited trade diversity, and partial alignment with prisoners’ interests. Furthermore, while post-release individuals actively leverage acquired skills, their successful community re-entry is severely hindered by social stigma, a lack of startup capital, and inadequate post-release support frameworks. The study concludes that while vocational training is vital for correctional rehabilitation, its long-term impact requires systemic reform. Consequently, the study recommends modernizing training infrastructure, expanding trade curricula, strengthening multi-sectoral partnerships, and institutionalizing comprehensive post-release transition mechanisms.