The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved $2 million in one-time funding on June 25 for a job training pilot program at the Century Regional Detention Facility, the county’s women’s jail.

The program will be based on a study of best practices throughout the country and the county’s prior experience with a similar pilot program at Pitchess Detention Center. It will provide skills training in high-growth industries as well as help with creating resumes.

Nationwide, unemployment among formerly incarcerated people is exponentially higher than for the general population, and is highest within the first two years of release, according to research conducted by the Prison Policy Institute. Pre- and post-release employment services are critical to reduce recidivism and help incarcerated people quickly integrate back into society, according to the institute.

A study by the U.S. Department of Justice found that women often face unique and challenging barriers to employment after serving their sentences, particularly if they are parents. Women are often under- or unemployed, work fewer hours and make less per hour than their male counterparts, and are often stuck in temporary, low-level or entry-level jobs with little chance for advancement, according to the study. Women who are not financially independent are more likely to recidivate and return to jail. The pilot Job Center at Century Regional Detention Facility will address the unique barriers to employment faced by women.

“Women find that they need to overcome extra barriers because they lack employable skills and may also be the primary caretakers of their children,” said Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, 3rd District, author of the motion. “We can’t expect people to rebuild their lives if they’re not given a fair shot at a steady good-paying job. This pilot program will help women while they are still in custody to overcome at least one of the major barriers that prevent them from building stable, productive lives after they are released.”

For information, visit supervisorkuehl.com.