News Release

Printer-Friendly Version

ETA News Release: [11/08/2005]
Contact Name: David James or Mike Volpe
Phone Number: 202-693-4676 or x-3984
Release Number: 05-2123-NAT

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Nearly $20 Million in Grants for President’s Prisoner Re-entry Initiative

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded 30 grants totaling $19.8 million to faith-and community-based organizations to assist non-violent ex-offenders returning to their local communities. These grants were awarded under the President's Prisoner Re-entry Initiative grant competition and are designed to serve urban centers and areas of greatest need.

“Communities benefit when non-violent ex-offenders become contributing members of society,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “This $20 million in grants will fund projects in 20 states to provide job training, mentoring and other services to prepare returning ex-offenders for new lives as productive workers.”

Introduced by President Bush in his 2004 State of the Union Address, the Prisoner Re-entry Initiative is designed to help strengthen urban communities and assist ex-prisoners re-entering the community through an employment-based program that incorporates housing, mentoring, job training and other services.

This competition for grants turned out to be the biggest and most competitive in recent years, with 549 applications submitted to the Department of Labor.

“Employment can be the most stabilizing factor in an ex-offender's transition back into the community. Many of the individuals who will receive services under these grants need skills training and assistance as they make this transition,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “These grants will support faith- and community-based organizations in providing the help ex-offenders need as they move to find employment and restart careers, as well as build safer communities.”

The Prisoner Re-entry Initiative is a collaboration of the Departments of Labor, Justice, Housing and Urban Development and Health and Human Services. The Department of Justice is holding a limited grant competition in the 20 states where the Labor Department grants were awarded to conduct pre-release services for program participants.

Please visit http://www.dol.gov/cfbci/reentryfactsheet.htm for more information on the Prisoner Re-entry Initiative. For additional information on the Department of Labor's employment and training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov.

View the list of award recipients.