OPEN TO THE PROGRAM: Of the 448 inmates currently in the Whitfield County, Georgia, Jail, only eight have no prior arrests.

ATLANTA — Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson recently unveiled a new program designed to help transition incarcerated individuals into the workforce.

The Walking the Last Mile reentry program, administered by the Georgia Department of Labor in partnership with the Georgia Department of Corrections, aims to provide individualized skills assessments, essential skills development, and job placement assistance prior to reentry.

During a press conference at the Chatham County Detention Center Nov. 8, Thompson announced the launch of the pilot program, which will provide individualized skills assessments, essential skills development, and job placement assistance prior to reentry.

Thompson said the goal is to mitigate or eliminate the barriers to gainful employment and create a seamless path to self-sufficiency. The program also aims to match former inmates with community support partners.

Recidivism rates in Georgia and across the U.S. remain high, due in large part to a lack of job opportunities and support for those reentering communities after incarceration, Thompson said.

“Programs like Walking the Last Mile are critical to filling gaps in Georgia’s workforce and helping Georgians get their lives back on track,” Thompson said. “By investing in rehabilitation and removing barriers to employment, we are creating opportunities for successful reentry and a safer, more prosperous Georgia for all.”

The initial pilot program is set to launch in December 2023 from the Metro Reentry Facility in Atlanta and has already received support from the Georgia Association of Manufacturers, the Associated General Contractors of Georgia, and others, according to Thompson’s office.

“Partnerships which afford us the opportunity to provide returning citizens with essential life skills for reentry is vital to their success,” Georgia DOC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said. 

According to news release from Thompson’s office, participants will work with a GDOL project manager to develop a customized plan focused on their individual needs, abilities, background and professional aspirations. The program features assessments to identify participants’ talents, interests and readiness to reenter the workforce. Key components include resume building, mock interviews, and connections to potential employers searching to fill open positions.

“Our goal is to give every person in the program the tools and support needed to land a good job,” said Joe Argo, GDOL Walking the Last Mile program manager. “By tapping into people’s strengths and providing targeted assistance, we aim to help returning citizens find work and become productive members of society.”

To assess the program’s effectiveness, the GDOL plans to monitor the employment status of program participants at key milestones, including the number of individuals with job placements upon release, the rate of job retention within six months to a year, and the reduction in recidivism for the participant population. The evaluation will guide the department’s efforts to expand the program, with the goal of serving more Georgians statewide at various locations.

Employers are encouraged to partner with the Walking the Last Mile initiative.

The initiate will work with the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program, a tax credit for hiring qualified individuals who face barriers to employment.

For more information on how Georgia businesses can get involved, and access a pool of work-ready talent, contact Joe Argo, at joe.argo@gdol.ga.gov.