John Legend program may aid ex-inmates

Local leaders say Springfield native John Legend’s new initiative aimed at getting people to work after they’ve been incarcerated will shine a light on the efforts they’ve made to do that in Clark County and cut re-offending rates.

Legend unveiled his new program Thursday — called Unlocked Futures on “CBS This Morning.” It will invest in business and entrepreneurial ideas for those who have spent time in jail.

“We’re going to provide some money to seed some entrepreneurs that have come out of prison and want to change their lives,” Legend said.

That’s good news to leaders of the Opportunities for New Direction program, part of Clark County Opportunities for Individual Change. The program helps recently released inmates re-enter the community with a goal of significantly cutting the rate of those who committ crimes again.

The recidivism rate for those returning to state prisons was 28 percent last year, down from 47 percent, the group has said.

Any extra attention given to the obstacles people face when they’re released from jail or prison could help with their efforts locally, said Brad Andringa, re-entry coordinator for Clark County.

“To have such an important and influential name like John Legend, I think that can only help the cause,” he said. “Especially being from Springfield, Ohio, I think it brings needed attention to the issue.”