New pilot program aimed at helping prison inmates find jobs following release
Incarcerated Georgians about to leave the prison system will get a leg up on landing a job through a new pilot program.
The Walking the Last Mile Reentry Program will be administered by the Georgia Department of Labor in partnership with the state Department of Corrections. It will provide inmates transitioning back to society with individualized skills assessments, help them develop those skills based on their needs and interests, and assist them with job placement.
Key components of the initiative will include resume building, mock interviews, and connections to potential employers looking to fill open positions.
“The Walking the Last Mile program will help break the chains of incarceration by equipping participants with the skills and resources necessary for a successful reentry into society,” state Commissioner of Labor Bruce Thompson said during a Wednesday news conference at the Chatham County Detention Center in Savannah.
“This innovative program is where opportunities begin for those who are seeking to embrace a fresh start and rebuild their lives.”
Recidivism rates in Georgia and throughout the nation have long been a challenge to public policy makers, due in large part to a lack of job opportunities and support for those reentering communities after being released from prison.
“By investing in rehabilitation and removing barriers to employment, we are creating opportunities for successful reentry,” Thompson said.
The program will launch next month from the Metro Reentry Facility in downtown Atlanta.
“Our goal is to give every person in the program the tools and support needed to land a good job,” said Joe Argo, who will manage the initiative for the labor department. “By tapping into people’s strengths and providing targeted assistance, we aim to help returning citizens find work and become productive members of society.”