Senator Chuck Weaver has introduced legislation to provide soon-to-be-released inmates more tools to find jobs in an effort to keep them from returning to jail or prison.
“We all know it’s appropriate that people convicted of crimes serve their time. We also know that if people cannot find work when they get out of jail or prison, then there is a very high likelihood of them going back,” Senator Weaver said. “I have introduced legislation that will provide more resources to help inmates find jobs as they are getting into a re-entry facility.”
The 37th District Senator says Senate Bill 156 addresses a real need in the Illinois Department of Corrections, and is in response to requests from a re-entry facility in Peoria and the Kewanee Life Skills Re-Entry Center.
“This bill would give inmates in re-entry facilities the right to access Jobs Search Web sites. Their Internet access would be limited to appropriate sites – that can definitely be done with today’s technology,” Senator Weaver said. “This will help inmates find out what jobs are available while they are in the process of being released.”
Senate Bill 156 directs the Director of Corrections and the Secretary of Innovation and Technology to jointly adopt a rule or best practices protocol that permits each committed person in a Department of Corrections institution or facility to access specific and approved job search and career building websites within a specified period before the person’s release from the Department of Corrections institution or facility.
“It is good for the individuals, as well as society, to help inmates get re-employed and become wage earners and taxpayers. Compare that to the fiscal and social costs of them being sent back to jail or prison because they cannot find work,” Senator Weaver said.