Training helps inmates get jobs

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Commonwealth Workforce Coalition held training sessions Friday for people helping ex-inmates develop job interview skills.

Maurice Fitzgerald works with first generation, low-income people who are searching for a career path.

Some of them are ex-inmates.

"Since we deal with a few people who have spent time in prison, it's basically to see what their needs are, what their desires are, what their problems are and what obstacles they run into as they seek to improve themselves, " said Fitzgerald, who is an Advisor at the College of Worcester Consortium.

Hundreds of inmates could be released from prison because of tainted drug samples at one of the state's drug labs.

CWC is sponsoring the training, from the National Institute of Corrections, to help inmates return to normal life.

Richard Devine works with the Hampden County Sheriff's Department and says they place about 500 inmates into jobs each year.

Training people on techniques for getting a job gives the inmates a greater chance for success.

"We do a lot of mock interviews, because if they can't answer that conviction question, and I know I keep speaking to that, but it's such an important question, because if they can't impress the employer about the fact that they've learned from their mistake, that's what is key," said Devine.

The training sessions will be held again on October 19th and 26th.

For more information go to www.cedac.org.