Parolee-Only Job Fair Aims To Help Felons Break The Cycle

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – State leaders are hoping to keep neighborhoods safe by giving ex-felons jobs.

It's a program sponsored by California's state prisons. Friday, a parolee-only job fair was held – with organizers claiming that taxpayers will get a return on their investment.

Many the men and women at the fair didn't want to talk about their past because they're more focused on their future.

"I have a checkered past, of course," said former felon Ricky Gamble.

They come from tough neighborhoods – and a tough prison system. They're parolees hoping for a fresh start.

"The goal of our resource fair is to help parolees move forward with their life," said Marc Nigel from the Sacramento Community Based Coalition.

The coalition organized Friday's job fair.

"We're really excited to get out here because a lot of these parolees don't know about the services offered to them," said Cindy Marks from Sacramento County Works.

At the fair were various state and private employers, educators, labor representatives and even drug treatment specialists, hoping to guide ex-offenders back into mainstream society by offering jobs and education.

"That's less than a burden on society than just locking them up," said Marvin Speed, a State Parole administrator.

Parole agents were also there – not looking to lock the ex-felons up, but help them break the cycle.

Right now, 75 percent of convicts end up back behind bars.

"We found over the years instead of just giving them $200 and putting them right back in the same neighborhood, what we want to do now is provide services so they can be a productive citizen," Speed said.

Gamble is a success story because months ago he got a job through the resource fair.

After surviving a crime ridden Oakland neighborhood, he's back on track.

"I'm feeling good. I have housing. I have transportation and I have an income," Gamble said.

Gamble has advice for his fellow former felons starting from the bottom, looking up.

"Unshackle yourself. Take the yoke off your neck. Don't look back. Keep going ahead and look for opportunities," Gamble said.

This state sponsored program was first introduced in 2007. They cater to about 300 parolees.