Metro Launches Shawnee Justice Reinvestment Pilot Project

by Gabe BullardCity officials Wednesday announced a new program that will help released prisoners re-adjust to day to day life.The city will $200,000 from a federal grant to create the Shawnee Justice Reinvestment Pilot Project.Participants can use the program to find jobs, housing and transportation after being released from prison. The program is only for residents of the Shawnee neighborhood, and is based on a similar program that launched in the Newburg neighborhood three years ago.Mayor Jerry Abramson says if the city is awarded any more grants, re-investment programs will be established in other neighborhoods.20014 Program3"If the funds are available, and as we receive this federal act, we now can take Newburg and replicate it in Shawnee. If we're able to move with additional funds available to us, there are other areas throughout this community where we believe this kind of program would be successful in.":14The city was also awarded an additional $50,000 for re-entry programs in the Metro Corrections Department.