County’s Pilot Program Has Transformational Impact for Reentry Participants

Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services (CJS) launched a unique initiative known as RAMP Up (Reentry Assistance Mobility Program) last July for residents who have served time in prison and are returning home. This group is referred to as the reentry population. Sixty qualifying reentry residents are participating in the Supplemental Income Pilot program which supports each resident with a $600/month stipend for 12 months. Expenses are submitted to CJS for payment.

While protecting their privacy, some clients wanted to share their stories of impact with us. There’s Jarvis who is returning home and getting to know his daughter. They shared their first Christmas together. The pilot program support has helped him with his car payments, housing and support his daughter. There’s Jonathan who is pursuing a career as a barber. The pilot program support helps him with barber school, supplies, tools as well as housing and car. And finally, there’s James, who uses the support for housing, transportation and supporting his son with school expenses.

“Each client can use those funds for housing, education, healthcare, workforce development and other qualifying general expenses,” said Sonya L. Harper, Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services director. “These clients are starting over in their lives, and we have heard some powerful and transformational stories of impact on what this pilot program support has done for them.”

Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners launched this pilot initiative under the Office of Equity and Inclusion. The pilot program will also collect data on 60 residents who are not receiving support to better understand what happens with a resident in the reentry process. County leaders will continue to review the process, and commissioners will decide later this year whether to renew, expand or cancel the program.