Cascade Engineering in Grand Rapids is hiring former inmates as a part of the Michigan initiative called "30-2-2," where 30 companies pledge to hire two former inmates and track their progress for two years.
Michigan leaders are having an ongoing discussion about prison reform in the state. Among other things, they’re trying to cut soaring spending on state prisons, which currently runs at about $2 billion yearly.
To address the issue of recidivism, companies in Michigan recently launched the “30-2-2” Initiative. They want 30 companies to pledge to hire two former inmates and track their progress for two years.
Current State's Katie Cook visited one of those companies -- Cascade Engineering in Grand Rapids -- to learn more.