Search by Keyword
Search by Department
All Departments Administration Corrections Development Services Facilities Management Human Resources Information Technology Library Services Management and Budget Services Natural Resources Management Neighborhood and Human Services Parks and Recreation Public Safety Public Works Veterans Services Waste ServicesThe Escambia County Corrections Department proudly recognized 18 IN2WORK graduates with a ceremony Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the Escambia County Jail, celebrating their dedication to achieving educational and career goals.
The IN2WORK program teaches employable food service skills to help incarcerated individuals successfully transition back into the community, providing participants with hands-on training and certifications that prepare them for jobs in the food service and retail management industries.
The IN2WORK program is operated by Aramark through a partnership with the Escambia County Jail, with a goal of reducing recidivism through education and certifications for post-incarceration employment paths.
"This is a benefit not only to the inmates, but to the department, to help with recidivism," Escambia County Jail Commander Scott Nash said. "Hopefully, this program will help these individuals get a job and be successful once they are back in the community. So it's just a benefit for all. They get back out in the community, they've got a job, and they can actually say it's a positive thing that came out of their time in jail."
The purpose of IN2WORK is to teach students how to function in a workplace setting and work as a team. Students learn accountability and responsibility through disciplined classroom and hands-on training. By building competent and confident graduates, they are set up for success upon reentry to their communities.
Johnathan Yohn just graduated from the program and said he is excited to put his new skills to use when he is released from jail in just over a month, with dreams of opening his own food truck someday.
"I've always been interested in working in the food service industry," Yohn said. "So when I became an inmate, somebody in the dorm told me they were doing the ServSafe, so I decided to take it. I learned a lot of things I didn't know before. It's a leg up. It just shows that even though I did something negative, that I tried to turn it into a positive in my life."
Yohn said he enjoyed the six-week course, which taught him everything from proper food storage, to sanitizing and cleaning procedures, to keeping up your appearance and hygiene when working in the food service industry.
Students accepted into the program receive a certification from the National Restaurant Association upon completion. Once released, Aramark offers IN2WORK graduates an opportunity to apply for a scholarship to continue their education and jumpstart their career through exclusive access to employment opportunities with Aramark.
"We have continued to invest and drive innovation around IN2WORK because we have a genuine interest in helping former offenders transition back into society, and know the program works," said Tim Barttrum, President of Aramark's Correctional Services group. "By offering a full suite of solutions, our goal is to fulfill the need to educate, train, and encourage graduates to continue their development once they've been released. We consistently see results with those who implement the program including increased self-worth, esteem, and morale — factors that have been proven to promote a safer environment and more positive outcomes for our graduates."
The following Escambia County Jail inmates were recognized as IN2WORK program graduates on Dec. 17:
To learn more about Escambia County Corrections, visit MyEscambia.com.
About Aramark Correctional Services
Aramark Correctional Services offers efficient, safe, and nutritious hospitality experiences to correctional staff and justice-impacted individuals by providing stellar food and commissary services that contribute to a secure environment. Whether facilitating family connections or teaching essential career skills like warehouse operations, hospitality, and management, Aramark Correctional Services empowers justice-impacted individuals to re-establish their place in society through the IN2WORK® program, providing individuals with skills necessary for successful reintegration. Connect with Correctional Services on LinkedIn to learn more.
The mission of Escambia County government is to provide efficient, responsive services that enhance our quality of life, meet common needs and promote a safe and healthy community.
Under Florida law, IP addresses and both the content of emails and email addresses are public records. If you do not want your IP address and the content of your email or your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in person.