Back Row (left to right): Â Herman Pacheco, Jordan Kaneshiro; Front row (Left to right): Â John Winkler, Kimo Medeiros, Drosstain Pua, Rocky Caraballo

MEDIA RELEASE

Six Hawaii Community Correctional Center inmates became the first graduates of the new START program last month, completing intensive training in Hilo that offered them new skills to help them manage their finances and re-enter the workforce.

The first graduation for the program was April 8 at the new classroom building at Hale Nani. Hale Nani is part of the Hawaii Community Correctional Center.

START, which stands for Successful Transitions And Reentry Together, began Feb. 2 with a class of 10 inmate volunteers.

To be eligible for the START program, inmates have to be approaching their release dates, and must have no pending charges or infractions for misconduct. They also must have four months or more left to serve to give them time to complete the programming.

The six inmates who made it through the program to join the first graduating class received certificates of completion from the Going Home Consortium and partnership of agencies. Those included a certificate from the state Department of Labor’s Workforce Development Division for the Pre-employment Skills Workshop, and another certificate from Goodwill Industries of Hawaii for Job Readiness training.

The members also received certificates of completion from the Big Island Substance Abuse Council (BISAC) for the Employment Core Services Program, and from Alu Like Inc. for training in Financial Management. The graduates also received Alcohol and Drug Education training.

START is a partnership between the Hawaii Community Correctional Center, and the Going Home Consortium and partnership of community agencies. The program is designed to help inmates overcome the problems that typically cause failure on parole or probation, such as unemployment, lack of education, homelessness or drug use.