First Virginian Job Training Facility Helps ex-Inmates Stay Out

For the first time in Virginia, the Fairfax County jail will be teaming up next week with the non-profit SkillSource Group to help released offenders get on the right track, and stay on it, after release. The newly expanded center gives those serving time but who have shown good behavior while serving their sentence the chance to have employment and job training. The opportunity is open to inmates who have demonstrated good behavior while incarcerated and who are currently living in the center's pre-release center. They are given job training, advice on how to find and keep jobs, and other career counseling, including applying for a driver's licence. If employment is found, they may begin working during the last portion of their sentence. Any income earned by inmates is then given back to pay rent and maintain the facilities. When the nearby George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, began following up on what happened to inmates after release, they found 40% were rearrested within the year, citing the added difficulty of finding a job with jail time on their record. After monitoring the released inmates who completed SkillSource's program, they reported far fewer re-releases. The jobs that agree to take on this type of employee also benefits: tax credits for hiring them, insurance/reimbursement for workplace damage if there is a problem. Local officials said the program is geared toward reducing recidivism rates, which in turn means keeping our communities free from crime.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/22/AR2008072203345.html