Mississippi has been awarded over $8,300,000 to boost existing rehabilitation and reentry into society efforts for prisoners in the state.
The grant designated to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, in partnership with the Department of Justice, as part of their Partners for Reentry Opportunities in Workforce Development (PROWD) program.
The funds will provide support for people in federal custody to prepare them to succeed once they return to their communities and rejoin the workforce.
Access will be expanded for mentoring, coaching, employment and training programs, and other support services before and after their release.
“This grant will allow MDES and our workforce partners to build on existing reentry efforts, strengthening pathways to employment upon release,” Robin Stewart, Interim MDES Executive Director, said. “Pre- and post-release services will reduce the likelihood of recidivism and help fully reintegrate citizens into their communities with good jobs.”
The PROWD grant will support the delivery of pre- and post-release services to participants in three stages:
- Stage one: Training and supportive reentry services offered to people before their federal release to a residential reentry center or home confinement.
- Stage two: Training and job placement services and supportive reentry services provided to people after their transition to a reentry center or home confinement.
- Stage three: Additional supportive reentry and employment services, including on-the-job training, are provided to participants once they transition into the community after their full release.
New chapel dedicated at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility
