The New York State Labor Department and Empire State Development have announced a new state-wide employer outreach tour: "Work for success" will provide training and employment for the formerly incarcerated. The tour will begin with outreach events in New York City, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo.
Businesses will be eligible for up to 24-hundred dollars in tax credits for each individual they hire through the program. The applicants will have been trained and classified as "pre-qualified."
In 2012, more than 25,000 employable men and women were released from prison in New York State and almost 8,000 are already working and contributing to the economy.
Governor Andrew Cuomo says that every employed individual who stays out of jail saves taxpayers between $17,000 and $25,000 per person per year, and that businesses can benefit a great deal from hiring the formerly incarcerated. He adds the tax credits will help their bottom line and help boost competitiveness.