US Department of Labor announces $12 million in funds for prisoner re-entry programs

24 current grantees to receive additional support to continue services

WASHINGTON, March 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $12 million in additional funding to 24 programs that are currently operating prisoner re-entry programs through the Reintegration of Ex-Offenders initiative.  

"Rehabilitated ex-offenders are returning to communities across the country in record numbers. And today's funding continues our commitment to supporting programs that will help them re-enter society and transition to stable careers," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

Launched in 2004, the Reintegration of Ex-Offenders initiative provides grants to faith-based and community organizations to help strengthen urban communities and assist ex-offenders re-entering the community.  This funding is accomplished through employment-centered programming that incorporates job training, mentoring and other supportive services.  Department of Labor grant funds are used to provide a variety of services to ex-offenders including workforce development services, job training, on-the-job training, work experience, basic skills remediation, counseling, case management and mentoring.

In 2008, the Labor Department held a limited competition among 30 existing first-generation grants and subsequently funded 24 of the 30 grants for a fourth year of program funding and operation.  The department currently is providing $500,000 in fifth-year funding to each grantee.

These programs operate in conjunction with grants from the U.S. Department of Justice, which provides funding to state criminal justice agencies that offer pre-release and referral services to soon-to-be released offenders.

Visit http://www.doleta.gov to learn more about the range of Department of Labor employment and training programs and initiatives.

Editor's Note: A list of grantees and funding amounts follows this news release.

U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov.  The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request.  Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.  The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations.  For more information, please visit http://www.dol.gov/compliance.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Labor