Labor Department offers $20M in grants for released prisoners seeking work

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor is offering more than $20 million in grants to organizations that will help former prisoners find work.

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis made the announcement in Newport News on Thursday, saying those who have served their time deserve a second chance to make a positive contribution to society. About 700,000 inmates are released from state and federal prisons each year.

Nationwide, the Labor Department expects to award 17 grants worth about $1.21 million each as part of the program.

The grants will target organizations in high-poverty, high-crime communities.

Solis made the announcement following a roundtable discussion with community leaders.