State of South Carolina

Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services

Nikki R. Haley
Governor






Kela E. Thomas
Director

2221 DEVINE STREET, SUITE 600
POST OFFICE BOX 50666
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA 29250
Telephone: (803) 734-9220
Facsimile: (803) 734-9440
www.dppps.sc.gov


October 1, 2014

MORE THAN 700 ATTEND PPP JOB FAIR FOR EX-OFFENDERS

Spartanburg More than 700 people attended a job fair for ex-offenders
sponsored by the SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services
Friday.

The job fair was held at the Spartanburg Reentry Center on Broadcast Road, which
provides employment and life skills training and information on access to governmental
and non-profit services.

Numerous employers in construction, landscaping, manufacturing and food services
were represented at the job fair. They were taking resumes and talking about job
opportunities at their places of business. Some employers were hiring on-the-spot.

Job seekers were lined up outside in the rain an hour before the Job Fair started, said
Thomas Scott, director of Reentry Program Services. We were very pleased with the
turnout and want to thank the vendors for meeting with folks and taking resumes and
even hiring on the spot.

Although the fair was geared toward people on probation or parole and supervised by
SCDPPPS, many others attended after hearing about it in the local media.

When someone on probation or parole has a job, the likelihood of the successful
completion of their supervision increases dramatically, said Scott. An important aspect
of our agencys mission is to assist people to become successful citizens and to stay
out of further legal trouble.


Although the fair was geared toward people on probation or parole and supervised by
SCDPPPS, many others attended after hearing about it in the local media.

SCDPPS Director Kela Thomas to attended the fair and personally thanked the
employers who participated, was also pleased at the attendance.

When someone on probation or parole has a job, the likelihood of the successful
completion of their supervision increases dramatically, said Thomas. An important
aspect of our agencys mission is to assist people to become successful citizens and to
stay out of further legal trouble.

The department will hold another fair at the Columbia Reentry Center later in the year
and plans one in the Upstate at the Spartanburg Reentry Center, which opened in 2013.
That job fair will be held Sept. 29 at the center at 108 Broadcast Drive in Spartanburg.

Statistics show that a job is one of the best indicators of success in avoiding further
incarceration.

The SCDPPPS supervises more than 32,000 offenders on probation, parole and other
forms of criminal supervision in South Carolina.

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