BOISE, Idaho — It's commonplace to complain about waking up in the morning to go to a 9-to-5 job. But for some inmates, preparing to reenter society and find a job is not always easy.
"We've been called offenders, inmates, criminals, convicts. That stigma in that label, it's a hard burden to carry," IDOC inmate Jonathon King said.
Those labels King referenced have made it harder for inmates to find jobs when they reenter society.
"It takes a lot to have to go to a job interview. Explain to someone that you're a felon, and then tell them that you're gonna work harder than all the other people because you have to be the stigma,” King said.
But, a new apprentice re-entry program at the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) is helping break those stigmas around inmates and preparing them to be successful when they are released from prison.
"When I leave here, I'm going to be a human being just like everyone else, I'll be your neighbor. And how that looks to me. It just means I have to go back out and get to work, right? So I'm being given a chance to start that process," King said.
In turn, this program will help them secure a job when they leave prison.
"We have had 28, completers. Six were women. And we have had a lot of success connecting them to employment in the community,” IDOC Apprenticeship Program Coordinator Crystal Robles said.
In 2022, IDOC released 4,913 inmates from their facility. In 2023, that number rose to 5,101 and this year more will be released. IDOC is helping them speed up the job hunt through a job fair. Inmates with a six-month release date can attend the July fair.
"We expect to have about 200 to 300 residents participating. And we have invited about 50 employers so far, we have slots filled for 23, and some employment support organizations as well,” Robles said.
For those in the apprentice program, they’ll have a head start with resources like resume and interview support.
"The experience has been easily put life-altering. I feel that this program and programs like it are vital to successful reentry for a lot of individuals that find themselves in this position,” Kings said.
Jones said this program helps him feel more productive.
"My first job here was probably 13 stories, I did a voiceover. Before I was incarcerated, this was a part of my life, I mean, certain shows and traveling around and filming things,” Jones said.
This program and job fair is a chance that makes it easier for inmates to prove how much they’ve grown.
"I think that eventually, on my way out of here, I'll already have a job. And probably more offers that I can even think of. The work will speak for itself,” Jones said.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist:
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET NEWS FROM KTVB:
Download the KTVB News Mobile App
Apple iOS: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Watch news reports for FREE on YouTube: KTVB YouTube channel
Stream Live for FREE on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching 'KTVB'.
Stream Live for FREE on FIRE TV: Search ‘KTVB’ and click ‘Get’ to download.