April is Second Chance month, established in 2017—not long after we launched our Fair Chance Program. It helps raise awareness of the challenges people face after incarceration. Depending on how long someone spends behind bars, these barriers can range from learning how to use a smartphone or computer for the first time to finding a place to stay.
But one of the most significant hurdles that people face is financial stability. Re-entry comes with a high price tag. In addition to paying off court fines and fees, individuals need money for housing, living expenses and reliable transportation. At JBM, we recognized the importance of providing employment opportunities, but we began to see that we could make a greater impact by supporting people before they’re released.
With this in mind, we recently launched a new training program at London Correctional Institution (LoCI). This program builds a bridge between incarceration and employment after release. It isn’t our first time developing a training program at a correctional facility, but this program provides us with a meaningful opportunity to build something better.
Participants in our Machine Adjuster Training Program at London Correctional Institution receive job-specific training toward the completion of their sentence. And more importantly, we pay them industry-standard wages to better position them for success upon release.
Danny is currently serving a sentence at London, and he spends approximately 35 hours a week learning the skills required to be a machine adjuster. By law, his earnings go into a mandatory savings program and he receives ongoing financial counseling to ensure he knows how to use the money effectively upon release. Each month, he meets with one of our Better Lives Coaches, who help him set goals and create plans for his future.
Our goal is for Danny’s training to ultimately evolve into a career. Through mentorship, life coaching and training, we prepare participants, like Danny, for a fresh start. And we’re proud to have dedicated coaches like Jackie, who help them navigate their journey from incarceration to employment with compassion and expertise.
This program is not about making JBM the hero. It’s about focusing on the individuals who work hard every day to rebuild their lives. We’re here to offer support, training and opportunities to give everyone a fair chance at a new life.
James, a JBM employee who completed our training program almost five years ago, describes the program as “life-changing.”
“It gave me a path forward, something I didn’t think was possible before,” he said. “JBM’s program taught me skills I use every day, but it also taught me resilience.”
The journey from prison to profession is never easy. But with support, guidance and training, it can be a transformative experience. As Mike, our dedicated onsite trainer at London Correctional, said, “It’s about more than just teaching them to operate machines. It’s about helping them build a future.”
What’s Next for the Program
Our President and CEO Marcus says that the move to LoCI represents a significant step forward for the program.
“It was good before,” he said, “but now it’s great.” The increase in wages makes all the difference, ensuring that participants are paid fairly for their work and can build a meaningful savings that will set them up for success upon their release.
He shares the story of a JBM employee who left prison a few months ago with $4500 in the bank and is currently working to build a savings of approximately $10,000 before leaving the halfway house where he currently lives.
He’s got a job, a car, savings, and he’s on solid footing to build his future,” Marcus shared. “That’s what this program is about—helping people launch their lives on a firm foundation.”
But the program’s evolution won’t stop here. The next step is enabling production work within the prison. Currently, participants train on the same types of machines used at JBM’s plant in Lebanon, Ohio. By expanding production to 25,000 to 50,000 units, participants will be challenged to solve actual manufacturing issues—ensuring quality control and troubleshooting issues as they arise.
“This is just the beginning,” Marcus said. “We hope to bring in additional pieces of equipment and continue training more participants. We may also consider adding packaging-related training for other services, such as product kitting.”
He also envisions an opportunity for the program to expand beyond LoCI, noting that it’s a win for all involved, and particularly meaningful because it’s built upon JBM’s core values.
“This isn’t something we want to do for a year or two—it’s part of who we are as a business,” he said. “This good for us, it’s good for participants and it’s good for our community.”
We’re excited to continue building the program and watch it make a difference in the lives of everyone it touches!
