PINE BLUFF, Ark. (AP) - A program that will have soon-to-be-paroled inmates demolish derelict houses in Pine Bluff is set to begin.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (https://bit.ly/1I6YaSx ) reports the state’s Department of Community Correction has received an $830,000 grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission for the pilot project, which is to begin next month. Pine Bluff currently has about 600 houses that are scheduled for demolition.
The program is designed to help the city with demolitions, while reaching out to prisoners who are at a high risk of re-offending. Pine Bluff Mayor Debe Hollingsworth says the demolitions will start in early May.
According to Kevin Murphy, the assistant director of re-entry and volunteer services at the Department of Community Correction, about 40 prisoners from Jefferson County will be offered the chance to learn at least two job skills to prepare for the workplace once they are paroled.
“These people will be identified as some of the most likely to re-offend, so we want to take special care with making sure they have all the tools they need to succeed in life after prison,” Murphy said.
The inmates will be accepted into the program in groups of 10 for six months at a time, and they will be housed at four supervised duplexes in Pine Bluff adjacent to the Southeast Arkansas Community Correction Center.
Some residents are hopeful that the program will thrive and help clean up the city.
Resident Raymond Kerr says he is tire of his neighborhood being run-down.
“This is something that can really benefit our city,” Kerr said. “We have had to look at these old houses for so long, and to think that they could soon be gone is great. I really hope this program works and continues.”
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Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, https://www.arkansasonline.com
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