Indiana – For hundreds of young Hoosiers leaving incarceration, the hardest part of starting over may be finding an employer willing to offer a first real chance. Indiana is now putting $10.2 million behind programs designed to turn that difficult transition into a path toward skilled, lasting work.
The investment is not only about filling jobs. State leaders say it is also about reducing repeat offenses, strengthening families and helping employers reach a largely overlooked pool of potential workers.
Gov. Mike Braun visited RecycleForce and Keys2Work to recognize two federal grants awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Reentry Employment in Skilled Trades, Advanced Manufacturing, Registered Apprenticeships, and Training initiative, known as RESTART.
Each grant is worth $5.1 million.
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Keys2Work will lead one of the funded efforts in partnership with RecycleForce and 2nd Chance Indiana. Their joint program, called “Developing the Working Muscle,” is expected to serve about 680 formerly incarcerated adults between the ages of 18 and 24 during the next three years.
Keys2Work will oversee recruitment, participant intake and case management. RecycleForce and 2nd Chance Indiana will provide paid transitional jobs, workforce instruction and career development services intended to prepare participants for stable, long-term employment.
“Indiana’s workforce is one of our greatest strengths,” Braun said. “These grants, coupled with the work of organizations like RecycleForce, Keys2Work and 2nd Chance Indiana, will create a clear path to good careers for formerly incarcerated Hoosiers, help employers find qualified workers, and ensure more Hoosiers have the opportunity to build successful futures through meaningful work.”
The second $5.1 million award was announced earlier this month and will go to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. That funding will be used to expand job training, registered apprenticeships and employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated adults across the state.
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Together, the grants connect reentry services with industries that need trained workers. Participants will have access to paid work while building skills, rather than being expected to navigate the employment system without income or support.
The funding also advances Braun’s broader effort to improve reentry outcomes. Last year, he signed an executive order focused on expanding education, job training and employment preparation for incarcerated Hoosiers before they return to their communities.
For the organizations receiving the money, the next three years will test whether structured support, practical training and paid experience can turn a second chance into a sustainable career.
