Last week we capped off our Summer of Jobs Tour with a visit to the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Lino Lakes to highlight second chance hiring initiatives that support formerly incarcerated Minnesotans in finding meaningful employment.

Along with Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) Commissioner Paul Schnell and DEED Deputy Commissioner Marc Majors, we held a roundtable with employers, instructors and Minnesotans who were previously incarcerated to learn first-hand the benefits of hiring workers from the second-chance talent pool. 

Our goal with the Summer of Jobs campaign was to help connect employers looking for workers with Minnesotans looking for work – especially people who might not be immediately on their radar. This reality is perhaps felt most acutely by Minnesotans who are formerly incarcerated. Helping Minnesotans who leave prison find good-paying jobs is a win-win for our people, our businesses, and our economy. Connecting a formerly incarcerated person to a good job is a major way to prevent reoffending – and it can provide dignity, purpose, and belonging for people looking to forge a new path in life. 

DEED has a variety of workforce development and career readiness programs that help Minnesotans from all backgrounds – including people with criminal records – find jobs. One of those programs is the New Leaf Program, which is designed specifically for job seekers who are having a difficult time obtaining employment due to their barriers and/or records. This class offers special strategies for addressing and overcoming barriers to employment, including how, when, and why to disclose your record, addressing employers’ concerns, answering tough interview questions and more.