NECX And Community-Based Organizations Partner For Offender Resource Fair

MOUNTAIN CITY – The Northeast Correctional Complex (NECX) held an offender resource fair earlier today for those who are within 18 months of their release date.  A total of 15 partnering agencies and nonprofits from around Eastern Tennessee participated in the event, which was organized in an effort to put offenders nearing release in contact with those who can provide them access to the resources needed to be successful.

Offenders at today’s event were provided the opportunity to meet and network with agencies that specialize in employment such as the American Job Center, as well as educational institutions such as Northeast State Technical Community College and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology. Additional partners from Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministries and other state agencies like the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Department of Labor and Workforce Development were also in attendance.

“Our programming for reentry begins the very first day they [offenders] come into our custody, but once they begin nearing their release date, that’s when it’s important to augment that programming by bringing in community-based partners for the offenders to network with,” said James Bowman II, NECX’s Offender Workforce Development Specialist.  “By meeting and networking with the representatives present, we’re ensuring they’re equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary and vital to a successful reentry.  When our offenders succeed our communities are safer.”