MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is finishing a visit to Marquette after holding three roundtable discussions.
Starting at Northern Michigan University, she spoke with U.P. leaders about a new program called Job Court. It’s goal is to reduce the recidivism rate for offenders by offering them more support. “It’s giving them this opportunity to get job training, be placed directly into a job, to allow them to have wraparound services if they’re having challenges and barriers to keeping that job like transportation, housing, and medical care,” said Nessel.
The program is starting out in Wayne, Genesee, and Marquette Counties with hopes that it will continue to expand. “We believe that when we’re done with the pilot, we’re going to see a very low recidivism rate, meaning people who participate, and complete the program, never get charged with a crime again,” Nessel said.
Officials in Schoolcraft County are looking forward to the program coming to their area. “My goal, number one, is to be reducing the number of people that we deal with recidivism-wise,” said Tim Noble, prosecuting attorney for Schoolcraft County. “Over and over and over because they can’t afford, because of their employment status, to get a proper drivers license, to maintain safe and stable housing, and to do those day in and day out things that so many of us take for granted.”
Nessel also spoke with area leaders about the needs of seniors and how the attorney general’s office could offer support, especially when it comes to funding and increasing staff.
