Seeds of Change is the name of the Santa Rosa County Detention Division’s (SODD) new inmate reentry program in conjunction with CareerSource Escarosa, according to a press release from Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Rich Aloy. Program completers may anticipate a job awaiting them upon release, according to Aloy. Major Killam, head of the SODD, spearheaded the project saying “We want to make sure those that are exiting our detention facility are going to be successful when they leave.”
CareerSource Escarose began teaching the classes Thursday. Class curriculum includes employment services, how to prepare resumes and cover letters, and overview of the labor market, websites for benefits and job searching, and available education resources. Killam said, “Once inmates leave, we would rather not see them again.”
Aloy said the program is geared toward getting inmates back into society with the skills needed to become functioning members of society…It gives you hope beyond the door.”
Aloy spoke of the trouble inmates have finding work after serving time in jail. The idea he said is to immediately get back on the horse so the transition back into society can be seamless.
Asked the reason for the program, Killam said, “Because we care.” Aloy echoed Killam’s sentiment saying “Put yourself in the shoes of a family member (of an inmate). You still have to treat them with respect and dignity…We would love to see our jails empty.”
The bonus to the program is it does not cost the taxpayers anything, according to Aloy. He said it is completely funded by the inmate welfare fund and the newly installed video visitation system.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Jail to help curb repeat offenses