Gov. Kim Reynolds visited the North Central Correctional Facility in Rockwell City Thursday to attend the Employer Reentry Roundtable. Employers, recruiters and human resource managers attended the event to learn more about the benefits of hiring returning citizen following their release from custody. Reynolds says applications for these job candidates are often overlooked and many employers are unaware of the skills they can bring to the table.
Multiple studies show one of the most important variables in determine the likelihood a former prisoner will reoffend is their ability to find gainful employment. This is often difficult for individuals with a criminal background, but Reynolds says the current economic environment in Iowa is a great opportunity for returning citizens and employers.
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and the Iowa Department of Corrections hosted Thursday’s roundtable discussion. Iowa Corrections Director, Beth Skinner, says, “Many of these returning citizens are jobsite-ready. We want to make sure that as employers are looking to fill their labor needs, they consider this population for their workforce.” On Thursday, the Governor’s FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform, proposed recommendations that would make finding employment easier for these individuals. The full report can be found included with this story on our website.
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Click HERE for FOCUS Committee Recommendations
