In an effort to aid formerly incarcerated adults in Washington, a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor is set to provide substantial support for individuals in Kitsap, Franklin, Walla Walla, and Pierce counties. According to an official release from the Washington State Employment Security Department, the grant aims to assist adults preparing to exit the justice system in assessing their skills and securing employment.
The Employment Security Department will be managing the grant to soon hire employment specialists, all of whom are required to have lived experience within the justice system. These specialists are tasked with working individually with adults 18 years and over who are currently serving time, to help up to 400 people to eventually reintegrate into the workforce and their communities. "People in jail preparing to reenter their communities face substantial barriers to success," said Cami Feek, Commissioner of Employment Security, as quoted by the Washington State Employment Security Department news release. Feek also highlighted that "unemployment is the top recidivism risk factor."
The reentry services, geared towards setting up a smoother transition for these adults, are not just limited to help with job searches. Individuals eligible for the pilot must have a release date set between 20 to 270 days out and must plan to live in one of the involved counties post-release. The range of reentry services will also encompass important aspects such as housing, education and job training, medical care, and where necessary, mental health and substance abuse counseling, as per the Washington State Employment Security Department.
The initiative is set to kick off in January 2026 and will continue through the end of 2028, as outlined by the Washington State Employment Security Department. With such a program in place, state officials hope to notably reduce the chances of former inmates returning to criminal activity by ensuring they have the support they need to find stable footing upon release. "Our employment specialists and community partners in Kitsap, Franklin, Walla Walla and Pierce counties will collaborate to help smooth the often rocky path for adults reentering the workforce," Feek remarked in the same news release.
