Employment and Reentry Pilot Program helps inmates reenter society with workplace training

Sometimes, people can see incarceration as “the end” of an offender’s story, but that never has to be the case.

As part of a larger initiative with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, White County Sheriff’s Office is starting a new program to get inmates reintegrated into society with workplace training opportunities.

The Employment and Reentry Pilot Program is being adopted by dozens of county jails in Tennessee, and White County Sheriff Steve Page recognized the importance of bringing it Sparta. Participants in the program will complete 80 hours of workplace training, can earn certificates, and get themselves prepared for real career opportunities once they return into the community.

“The goal is to get them out and make sure they aren’t coming back in,” said Sheriff Page. “And a lot of people with this aren’t coming back in. They’re going to work and changing their lives.”

Members of the program will meet with specialists, individuals that can train them on a specific kind of industry job that fits them best. It is not just a computer training program. There are actual experts in the field helping get these individuals off their feet. In addition, thanks to the efforts of the department, the state, and volunteers, the program is at no additional cost to taxpayers. The volunteers and grant money acquired for the program allow them to operate it without needing to put the burden of payment on the county.

“Jail isn’t the end of their life,” Capt. Will Randolph said. “Sometimes people think after a conviction, they go in, and that’s just it. For some, maybe. But we are getting them experience so we can reduce recidivism.”

Both Sheriff Page and Capt. Randolph commended the women that have worked hard to help this happen, too.

“Mrs. Donna has over a decade of experience,” Capt. Randolph said. “The sheriff’s office is in charge of custody and care. I’m custody, but these ladies here are care.”

While they, of course, cannot make inmates choose to pursue a program like this, the sheriff’s office is confident it will help change the lives of these members once they leave the jail. They want to assure nobody leaves the jail without clothes, hygiene, and shelter, and now, the skills to get into the workforce right after they leave.

“Not letting the abnormal become normal, be a good listener, and education is the key to it all,” said Sheriff Page. “Education has been the biggest factor of this, and I’ve said that for a while. I know this’ll help.”

The Sheriff’s Facebook page shares more details about the program. There is also TDLWD’s website, at tn.gov/workforce, which will be sharing more details as the program gets underway.