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U.S. Department of Labor Awards Nearly $3 Million to Advance President´s Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative

WASHINGTON, Apr. 10 /PRNewswire/ --

WASHINGTON, April 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Labor has announced grants totaling almost $3 million to advance the President's Prisoner Re-entry Initiative. Through a partnership operated with the U.S. Department of Justice, grants of $130,434 each will go to 23 criminal justice agencies across the country. They, in turn, will fund faith-based and community organizations to deliver employment services to prisoners returning to civilian life.

"These grants will advance state partnerships with local faith-based and community organizations to equip ex-prisoners with basic job skills, counseling and opportunities to earn an honest living in our communities," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

The President's Prisoner Re-entry Initiative is designed to strengthen urban communities through an employment-centered program that incorporates mentoring, job training and other comprehensive transitional services benefiting ex-offenders. This program has significantly reduced the rate of recidivism by helping non-violent ex-inmates find meaningful employment through the assistance of local faith-based and community organizations.

Over the next two years, funds will be used to offer services such as basic skills remediation, soft- skills training, counseling and on-the-job training. Job placement efforts will be coordinated with local One-Stop Career Centers, businesses, educational institutions and other employment providers.

"Successful re-entry is often built on effective cooperation between the criminal justice system and community and faith-based organizations. By strengthening these relationships, we can help ex-offenders find and retain jobs and avoid re-incarceration," said acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Brent R. Orrell.

In addition to the District of Columbia, 22 states will receive these post-release services grants: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

For more information on the Prisoner Re-entry Initiative, visit http://www.doleta.gov/pri.

U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at 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 .