North Carolina Secures Federal Funding to Aid Prisoner Workforce Reentry
North Carolina has been awarded a $4 million federal grant aimed at equipping incarcerated individuals with vital job skills, facilitating their reintegration into society. This latest funding is part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s “Pathway Home” grant initiative, which seeks to provide workforce services to eligible individuals before and after their release.
Governor Josh Stein emphasized the mutual benefits of preparing formerly incarcerated individuals for successful workforce participation, stating, “When we prepare people leaving incarceration for success in the workforce, we all benefit.” He highlighted the role this grant will play in strengthening the state’s workforce and offering second chances.
First Lady Anna Stein also addressed the challenges faced by those leaving prison, noting employment as a significant barrier to reentry. “The ‘Pathway Home’ grant will help bolster employment programs to work with people both before and after they are released from prison,” she remarked, underscoring the importance of rehabilitation and reentry programs.
The Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS) under the North Carolina Department of Commerce will spearhead the “North Carolina Pathway to Reentry” project. The initiative will collaborate with local Workforce Development Boards: Charlotte Works, Foothills WDB, and Western Piedmont WDB, alongside the N.C. Department of Adult Correction.
The initiative will provide a series of activities designed to assist individuals transitioning out of incarceration. Prior to release, participants will engage in workshops, career counseling, and training sessions. Following their release, activities will focus on goal setting, action planning, and skill development to prepare them for specific jobs. The NCWorks system will connect them with apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities in partnership with “second-chance” employers. Comprehensive support services will remain available throughout a two-year training period.
Correctional facilities involved in this program include:
- Alexander Correctional Institution
- Caldwell Correctional Center
- Catawba Correctional Center
- Foothills Correctional Institution
- Gaston Correctional Center
- Marion Correctional Institution
- Mecklenburg County Detention Center
- Rutherford Correctional Center
N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley emphasized the importance of this grant in meeting the state’s economic needs, stating, “Our fast-growing economy needs skilled workers, and this grant helps us fill that need by providing reentry services to jobseekers who are ready to take the next step in their lives.” He also noted that the project aligns with goals established by the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships, particularly increasing participation in work-based learning.
The DWS has long prioritized reentry services and actively participates in the state’s Joint Reentry Council to implement the Reentry 2030 strategic plan. Through its Reentry Initiative, the division collaborates with NCWorks Career Centers statewide, supporting justice-involved individuals in overcoming employment barriers. Additionally, the division manages the federal Partners for Reentry Opportunities in Workforce Development (PROWD) grant, aiding those transitioning from the federal prison in Butner.
Moreover, the DWS supports employers through two federal programs – Federal Bonding and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) – incentivizing the hiring of individuals with substantial employment barriers.
For more details on services for jobseekers and employers, visit NCWorks.gov.
—
Read the Full Press Release Here About This
Read More North Carolina News
