Steps being taken by High Point police and High Point Community Against Violence definitely are headed in the right direction as they address a shortcoming in their otherwise successful strategy for reducing violent crime.

Unfortunately, those steps are being taken in dismal economic times. Police and HPCAV are partnering with America Works – a New York-based company that helps find work for people with criminal records and other hard-to-serve job-seekers – to provide job readiness training, job placement and monitoring services to make certain they remain in meaningful, full-time employment. As HPCAV Executive Director Jim Summey pointed out when the plan was unveiled March 24, “It is very difficult to find work for an offender in this economy. It is very difficult for anyone to find work.” Why should you support such an endeavor?

Many may believe it’s foolhardy, even unfair, for HPCAV to be seeking full-time employment for those who have been chronic offenders at a time when law-abiding citizens also are out of work. But a growing body of evidence suggests that putting released prisoners to work reduces recidivism and is more cost effective than repeat incarceration.

Keep HPCAV’s No. 1 goal in mind. Chief of Police Jim Fealy said it best: This is not about jobs. This is not about helping ex-offenders get jobs. This is about violent crime reduction.

One transformed life will be well worth the effort. The more the merrier.