Program aims to help felons get back into workforce

STATESVILLE, N.C. — This past December, a new law passed that will result in more felons being placed into a supervision program upon their release from prison.

That meant a bigger need for post-release services and now, the city of Statesville has a plan in place.

On Wednesday, a new offender program was announced: Project Re-Entry-Statesville. It will help felons get back into the workforce.

“We believe in second chances,” said David Meacham, director of Statesville Housing Authority.  “They're going to be in our community, and I think it's a good deal for us to help them find gainful employment.”

Between December 2010 and November 2011, 225 felons were released into Iredell County because of a lack of funding.

In December 2011, the NC Justice Reinvestment Act went into effect, which will result in 86 percent more felony offenders being placed under supervision upon release.

“At the end of the day, it's all about choices,” said Sgt. Dan Miglin with Statesville police. “They can either choose to work hard and redeem themselves and get back into society, or they can choose to re-offend.”

Miglin and Meacham are both behind Project Re-Entry.

A nearly $70,000 grant will help fund a new staff position. That person will go into prisons and work with offenders to set up job training before they are released.

“Goodwill Industries is going to be in charge of training them, and when they get out they'll have a position or job,” Meacham said.

A recent poll of released felons revealed the biggest reason they go back to a criminal lifestyle is they can't find a job.

The goal of Project Re-Entry is to fix that and in turn, keep the community safer, too.

“So that they won't feel compelled or give in to the temptation to give in to the criminal lifestyle, and to me, it's a win-win,” Miglin said.

The grant funding goes into effect July 1.

Resumes for the re-entry specialist position are being accepted now through June 15, by 3 p.m. You can drop it off at the Statesville Housing Authority at 110 West Allison St., Statesville, or fax it to 704-878-8780. You can also log onto the Department of Employment Security website or email the resume to fkirby@sha-online.org.

WSOC