The City of Columbus Department of Public Service (DPS) began a partnership with Marysville Women’s Reformatory (MWR), the only women’s prison in the state, in July 2021 to offer restored citizens a second chance. MWR has several accredited programs for incarcerated individuals that teach inmates important work skills that DPS staff need to be successful, including horticulture and construction techlogy. Through the partnership with MWR, graduates of those programs are recruited and interviewed while still in MWR, are released from prison with an offer letter in hand, and come to work for DPS as quickly as possible post-release. DPS has multiple areas with n-tested entry-level positions where they are hired (Traffic Maintenance, Street Maintenance, and Refuse Collection). The ladies then learn more skills in their areas and are put through our in-house CDL program, which makes them eligible for promotion. DPS provides additional support to these women, including bus passes for transportation in the initial months of work, resume assistance, and partners as needed with parole officers or halfway houses for case management. The program has greatly aided in staffing and retention, as we have a dozen staff members from this program, roughly 2/3 of whom have been promoted at least once. These staff members are hard-working, incredibly positive, and grateful for the opportunity to work, allowing them to earn the full respect of their peers.
At the conclusion of this session participants will be better able to:
• Identify creative staffing solutions using n-traditional/second chance programs.
• Analyze potential staffing partnerships to determine potential fit for their needs.
• Evaluate the pros and cons of a second chance program.

Contributor/Source

Bill Lewis

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