Community Corrections Employability Skills Program 

This program was created as a joint project between Monroe County Employment and Training Department (MCETD) and Monroe County Community Corrections.  The Employability Skills Program's goal is to prevent and reduce incarceration through education and meaningful employment.  In looking at the jail population, one can easily relate unemployment/underemployment and lack of education to those committing crime.  The overcrowding of the jail spurred the development of this program and the hope of rehabilitation is the focus.

DISTRICT COURT/CIRCUIT COURT

To prevent incarceration, Probation Officers refer those offenders that are unemployed, underemployed and/or with no High School diploma or GED to the Corrections Liaison at MCETD.  The offender, as a condition of their probation, is expected to follow the Probation Officer's directive to contact MCETD.  They may be required to complete their GED, obtain job referrals, and attend workshops that will assist them in finding employment that will pay them a living wage.  

Because many offenders have never worked or have been underemployed, they need workshops for resume writing, interviewing, and how to deal with their conviction.  If needed, counseling is offered.  They are then referred to job openings that match the client's skills and interests.

IN JAIL EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS PROGRAM

The In-Jail Employability Skills program is for those inmates who are unemployed or underemployed.  Inmates are chosen based on their out date (within 45 days of release) and their employment skills.  The workshops are one week long (10 hours) and are conducted at the Monroe County Correction Center and the new Monroe County Inmate Dormitory Facility.  

 The workshops cover resume writing, job skill identification, applications, interviewing skills, dealing with a conviction when seeking employment, independent living, and the importance of working.  A variety of materials are used to teach the workshops, including video tapes depicting former offenders seeking employment, career interest assessments and worksheets that the inmate can complete which will help them focus on their skills, abilities, and goals once released.

 Once the inmate has satisfactorily completed all the sessions, the Corrections Liaison requests that the judge reduces the inmate's sentence by five days.  After the inmate is released, he/she is referred to the Michigan Works! Monroe Service Center.  If they live in another county, the Corrections Liaison refers them to the Michigan Works! Agency in their area.

 The creation of this program was based on two premises.  One, more programs were needed to reduce jail population and find alternatives in incarceration because of overcrowding.  Two, the majority of the jail population is unemployed with no High School diploma or GED.  It is a rehabilitative program that encourages living legally and taking responsibility for themselves and their families.