Jobs break the cycle of crime, poverty
We are all too familiar with the breaking crime news of the day in our community.
Immediately, behind the scenes, our dedicated law enforcement officers begin an investigation and prosecutors and the courts serve justice on behalf of the community. Families are torn and in disarray from the effects of the crime on the victim and the perpetrator.
The perpetrator is sentenced and incarcerated. After serving time, the offender is released back to his or her community to proceed with life – or not.
In the most recent statewide study of recidivism by the Tennessee Governor's Task Force on Sentencing and Recidivism, the percentage of people released from prison or jail in Tennessee who were re-incarcerated within three years was 46 percent.
Employment is the answer to breaking the cycle of crime and poverty in Memphis.
There are several ongoing initiatives here in Memphis and Shelby County to help ex-offenders find employment.
That includes the Hope 2 Hire Program, operated by HopeWorks at the Shelby County Mark Luttrell Center. In April, the program graduated its first class of soon-to-be ex-offenders who will have skills in logistics, building trades, masonry, and basic electricity.
The Workforce Investment Network (WIN), a division of the City of Memphis, recently initiated a transitional
jobs program for ex-offenders. The grant was awarded and is being operated by the Centers for Employment Opportunities. WIN is looking to expand its reentry work in the transitional jobs space.
The Tennessee Department of Corrections is seeking funding to host a machining program in collaboration with Southwest Tennessee Community College, WIN and other partners. Economic Community Opportunity Program and the Memphis Shelby County Office of Re-entry are other partners in the community to assist ex-offenders in finding gainful employment.
And Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland has raised private dollars to pay for expungements of records for nonviolent offenders. This helps more people clear hurdles to return to the workforce.
On any day in Memphis, it is reported that employers are seeking workers to fill vacant jobs. Programs have been developed for those who lack a high school diploma. Other bridge-building initiatives include training in interviewing skills, soft skills training, and occupational skills training.
Now is the time for employers to think "outside of the box" of ways to fill their unfilled jobs with this untapped pool of available workers.
Employers and ex-offenders have something in common: They both have a need. The employers need workers and the ex-offenders need a job. It is just that simple.
Employment of trained, skilled exoffenders will give employers access to an additional pool of workers. Ex-offenders will have jobs that will allow them to proceed with their lives by supporting their families and reducing their chance of returning to crime or re-incarceration.
On June 14, we will co-host a symposium on enhancing job opportunities for skilled, qualified ex-offenders in Memphis and Shelby County. For more information visit memphis.edu/psi/events/.
We hope to begin the dialogue with employers and help them find qualified workers. By doing so, we will take another step toward making Memphis a better place.
Henry Lewis is interim executive director of the Workforce Investment Network.