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HIGH POINT — High Point added another piece to its crime reduction strategy Tuesday as it unveiled a plan to help violent criminals find jobs — with the hope that meaningful employment will keep many of them from going back to prison.

The city and High Point Community Against Violence have contracted with the employment company, America Works, to help violent offenders find and keep jobs.

As that happens, fewer are likely to return to a life of crime and prison, making the community safer.

“This is not about jobs — this is not about helping offenders or ex-offenders get jobs. This is about crime reduction,” said police Chief Jim Fealy. “One of the tools we need is jobs.”

The partnership begins with members of High Point Community Against Violence — a mixture of residents and police officers — who meet with violent offenders at regular call-in sessions.

Members talk with offenders about their violent behaviors and warn them about what will happen if they don’t change their ways.

The offenders are given help to solve their problems — whether it’s food, counseling for drug or alcohol addiction, shelter or in many cases — a job.

And that’s where the partnership with America Works’ Project eX program comes in.

After a screening, the company helps offenders find jobs — combining weeks of training on communication, co-existing in the work place, developing positive attitudes and interviewing tips.

Through partnerships with the business community, candidates are placed into jobs, with counselors available to help candidates and employers every step of the way.

“(We) will be there to work with them to see what their concerns are — are they having any problems at work? (And) help them work it out,” said Jim Summey, executive director of High Point Community Against Violence.

“If they can’t make it, we try to look (their issues) a little deeper and try to match them with another job.”

Summey said the program will continue to work with the offender until he or she gets solid work experience and to a point where they no longer need assistance. Offenders can remain in the program as long as they are law abiding.

“We give them a chance, but they aren’t going to be violent on the street or in the program,” Summey said. “They are going to go by the rules or they are out.”

Similar America Works programs have found success in Albany, NY.; New York City; Newark, N.J.; Baltimore; Oakland, Calif.; and Philadelphia.

Local leaders are banking on it working in High Point, too, which has seen a 53 percent decline in violent crime since 1997, when the city’s anti-violence group formed.

Fealy said nationally, 55 to 65 percent of criminals reoffend upon their release from prison.

But with a little help, that rate is 27 percent for offenders who have worked with High Point’s anti-violence group.

“I think with our new partner and our new (job) component, we can drop (the statistics) even further,” the chief said.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com