RI Starting Jobs Program For Woman Inmates

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island is launching a program to help women inmates find jobs when they get out of prison, Gov. Dan McKee said in a news conference Thursday.

McKee said the Rhode Island Department of Corrections is teaming up with Polaris MEP, the state of Rhode Island's Manufacturing Extension Partnership for a pilot program that helps inmates find vocational opportunities, so they can assimilate back to a normal life.

McKee said the program is a "function of public safety," as employment is major factor in keeping former inmates from returning to jail.

"My team has been working very hard to ensure people leaving prison have the opportunity to provide for their families and not return to ACI," McKee said.

The program includes a job fair for inmates. McKee said the fair will be tailored to fit the indiviudal interest of inmates. The program is scheduled to launch in June.