Louisiana Parole Project clients have ridden nearly 5,000 miles in six months on electric bikes thanks to a multi-agency partnership that enhances workforce development and increases economic productivity across the capital region.
In September, the East Baton Rouge Metro Council authorized a pilot program called the Ride to Work program, a partnership between Parole Project and Division of Human Development Services (DHDS). The partnership was created to help formerly incarcerated people utilize eBikes and Uber rides (in the form of ride share credits during inclement weather) to get to work on time without transportation issues. It also allows them to save money on bus fees and use that money to save and purchase their own vehicles.
“We are very, very thankful for the partnership with DHDS and we appreciate the council approving this item over six months ago,” said Tim Wilkinson, Project Manager for Parole Project’s Employment Enhancement Program. “This pilot program has been a huge success for our clients at Louisiana Parole Project.”
Dr. Leander Zanders, Director of DHDS, talked about the importance of second chances and helping those re-enter society after incarceration.
“We have to realize when people come back into society, they have no one,” Zanders said. “They have no driver’s license, no social security card, no residence. We have to be able to give a person a second chance. I believe that wholeheartedly.”
During the May 14 Metro Council meeting, Wilkinson played a video for the Metro Council, outlining the success of the program and the clients it serves. When the video ended, the Members of the Metro Council clapped, praising the Ride to Work program and Parole Project’s success.
“There are very few presentations that I just think would warm the heart and this one here is just amazing – the work you have all done, seeing this program and seeing these results that are going on. Thank you so much for what you do. Thank you for bringing this here. Thank you for starting this here. I hope we can expand upon in,” said Councilman Aaron Moak, District 4. “To see these people working, enjoying life and being a functioning part of the community that y’all help put in place. Thank you all very much for doing this. Hopefully we can work with y’all and expand this. Congratulations on an amazing program that hopefully we can show the East Baton Rouge Parish is setting the standard and setting the bar on what we can do in assisting people that are coming out of these situations.”
Councilman Dwight Hudson, District 9, applauded Parole Project’s low recidivism rate and suggested future partnerships with Metro Council and Parole Project.
“It’s a real honor for the City Parish to get to partner with Parole Project. In my new role, one thing I’ve been doing is a lot of research about exactly what you’re doing. You definitely need to give yourself kudos in that Parole Project is an outlier in the state as far as recidivism,” Hudson said. “Their program has a three percent recidivism whereas we are 40 plus percent across the rest of the state, whether you are talking about state programs or people coming back in from a parish facility. And so, it’s great what you’re doing and the work you’re doing is extremely important. I would love for us to explore as a parish, a second chance hiring program and for that to be possibly worked on and administered through you guys. So, I don’t know what conversations need to happen with the mayor’s office, but I think a lot of folks on this council recognize the incredible work that you’re doing. We thank you for it and would love to increase that work. Thank you.”
