Philly Leader

In an effort to help formerly incarcerated people get back into the community properly, the Department of Labor and Industry has secured a $10 million federal grant and will be creating a re-entry program to help with finding gainful employment.

Gov. Tom Wolf made the announcement on October 5, saying that the grant is funded through through the First Step Act Initiative through the Employment and Training Administration. The r-entry program being created is designed to reduce recidivism by supporting formerly incarcerated people with job training and skill development services. The focus is also to have equal access to employment, and focus on “historically marginalized communities.”

“The ability to secure high-quality, family-sustaining employment is a key part of success for re-entrants returning to their communities after incarceration and is a powerful tool in reducing recidivism,” Wolf said. “The First Step Act initiative not only supports a successful transition into society, but it allows re-entrants to build meaningful relationships with employers and helps address new and ongoing workforce challenges amidst a historically tight labor market. My administration’s commitment to training and supporting individuals at every step of the re-entry process is an undeniable investment in the well-being of reentrants and the communities they live in.”

The creation of the project is a cooperative effort between: L&I, the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Pennsylvania Reentry Council, local workforce development boards, nonprofit reentry services and coalitions, individual employers and employer groups. 

Criminal justice reform and reducing recidivism has been one of Wolf’s main priorities. He has supported re-entry programs, the Clean Slate Law and pardons in this effort.

The project is expected to begin immediately. The focus will be on re-entry specialists and training instructors who are at minimum and low-security federal prisons in Pennsylvania for vocational education.