ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is using a $10 million grant to help federal prison inmates prepare for and find work after their release.
DEED spokesman Jeremiah Carter said the program is available to inmates being released from prisons in Duluth, Sandstone, Rochester and Waseca.
“The goals of the project really focus around improving employment outcomes, strengthening communities,” Carter said. “You know, this is going to really help to reduce recidivism among the program participants.”
Carter said the grant funding also provides some special educational training programs.
“[The programs] offer certifications for in-demand occupations such as information technology, construction, green energy industries, registered apprenticeship construction plank training and then certificates to credit opportunities that meet specific labor needs of the communities,” Carter said.
Carter says they want to ensure that these inmates have a seamless transition from federal prison to Minnesota communities where their skills and training could help ease the state’s workforce shortage.
DEED calls these folks Minnesota’s “second chance” workforce.
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