WAYNE COUNTY (WWJ) – Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy is looking for ways to give non-violent offenders a second chance with a new pilot program.
Launched in June, the county’s new “Job Court” program aims to help non-violent offenders find employment, and potentially have their cases cleared if they remain with the employer without incident for at least a year.
"Job Court will set Michigan residents up for success instead of incarceration by providing people accused of low-level, non-assaultive offenses with the opportunity to obtain and maintain gainful employment," said Attorney General Dana Nessel, who originally designed the program.
Wayne County is trying out the program, along with Genesee and Marquette Counties. So far, Worthy says Wayne County has 18 men and three women participating.
“But we have slots for 200 defendants that we would like to give these opportunities to,” Worthy said Monday.
Worthy says her staff “believe deeply that this program will not only give the participants a good, impactful job and other resources” but it will “put them on a path to real and sustainable life changes.”
The county employs five full-time case managers who help match participants chosen by the prosecutor with participating employers, which span several fields, including partnerships with the Carpenters and Millwrights union, Focus: HOPE, Stellantis, Detroit Works and more.
Eligible participants are screened for eligibility on a case-by-case basis by considering factors like suitability for employment, past criminal history, and potential impact on public safety.
Job Court participants who successfully complete the one-year program will be provided with the opportunity to have their criminal charges dismissed to set them on a pathway to a better future.
In addition to employment opportunities, the county is also offering “wrap-around services” to assist in the successful completion of the program. Those services include, but are not limited to:
• Addiction and recovery therapy
• Mental and behavioral health services
• Educational literacy and testing
• Transportation services
• Food and clothing assistance
• Identification/driver's license restoration
• Assistance with benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, WIC)
In a separate announcement Monday, Worthy noted the county’s prosecutors will see a 25% pay raise to a minimum starting salary of $75,000 in an effort to be more competitive.
Employers interested in applying for the job court program can apply here.