Incarcerated Georgians about to leave the prison system will get a leg up on landing a job through a new pilot program unveiled Wednesday. The Walking the Last Mile Reentry Program, to be administered by the Georgia Department of Labor in partnership with the state Department of Corrections, will provide inmates transitioning back to society individualized skills assessments, help them develop those skills based on their needs and interests, and assist them with job placement.
"The Walking the Last Mile program will help break the chains of incarceration by equipping participants with the skills and resources necessary for a successful reentry into society," said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. "This innovative program is ‘where opportunities begin’ for those who are seeking to embrace a fresh start and rebuild their lives."
Key components of the initiative will include resume building, mock interviews, and connections to potential employers looking to fill open positions. To assess the program’s effectiveness, the labor department will monitor participants’ employment status at key milestones, including the number with job placements upon release, the rate of job retention within six months to a year, and the reduction in recidivism among participants.
The initial pilot program is set to launch in December 2023 from the Metro Reentry Facility in Downtown Atlanta and has already received support from the Georgia Association of Manufacturers, the Associated General Contractors of Georgia, and many others.
