New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu launched another pillar of his NOLA for LIFE homicide reduction plan on Wednesday: helping ex-offenders leaving prison get jobs and homes.
Mayor Landrieu said the challenge of stopping violence in the city is everyone’s responsibility, including private companies who hold jobs. He said that people leaving prison have to be given an opportunity to make better choices.
The workforce reentry program announced Wednesday targets those people who are most at risk of being locked up again — those over 15 and under 30, with a high school diploma or less.
Ex-offenders who are referred to the program will start at the city's JOB1 center to work with a transition specialist and a case manager. Those helpers should link former prisoners to housing, job training, and other services.
