Eric Beamon News Today

In better economic times, many former prisoners faced serious difficulties in finding work. But the labor shortage created by the COVID-19 pandemic now presents them with opportunities.

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — When Antonio McGowan left the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman after serving 17 years, he was free for the first time since he was 15. But as an adult finally out from behind bars, he immediately found himself confined to menial labor.

When Antonio McGowan left the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman after serving 17 years, he was free for the first time since he was 15. But as an adult finally

Reentry programs are one way employers are trying to fill some of the 11.3 million open jobs in the U.S.

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- When Antonio McGowan left the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman after serving 17 years, he was free for the first time since he was 15. But as an adult finally out from behind bars, he immediately found himself confined to menial labor.

The United States ongoing labor shortage is bad for employers but presents an opportunity for workers who often could not find jobs in rosier economic times: ex-prisoners. Special training programs

Job stability can be difficult for returning citizens after a prison sentence. But reentry programs are finding new receptivity among employers to hire formerly incarcerated workers. There are currently 11.3 million jobs open in the U.S.

In rosier economic times, many former prisoners faced steep obstacles to finding work.

In rosier economic times, many former prisoners faced steep obstacles to finding work.

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — When Antonio McGowan left the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman after serving 17 years, he was free for the first time since he was 15. But as an adult finally out from behind bars, he immediately found himself confined to menial labor.