A prison in Ohio has worked out a peculiar deal with a local trucking company. As part of their inmate rehabilitation program, the Richland Correctional Institution offers a Commercial Drivers License Program through which currently incarcerated inmates can earn their class A CDL.
Upon successful completion of their written exam, participants take part in a 4 week training program offered by Trainco, a local CDL school. Once they’re released from prison, they can choose to sign on with P I & I Motor Express as full-time trainees. During their time as trainees they do short hauls and stay at a local halfway house. Eventually they move on to longer OTR trips, and can then stay with the company or seek employment elsewhere.
According to Joseph Kerola, the president of the carrier, the drivers aren’t bad people. By offering them steady employment, he hopes that they won’t need to go back to whatever landed them in prison in the first place.
“Some of them have made a bad decision,” he said in an interview with the Norwalk Reflector. “People deserve a second chance. None of us are perfect. None of us have done everything right.”
While hiring convicted criminals may not be the most conventional way to find new drivers, P I & I is happy to find reliable drivers anywhere they can. “The demand for skilled truck drivers is going up and up,” Kerola said. “We have 40 trucks without drivers that we could fill, and there’s business there to do it.”
Next Story: Drivers Smoking Legal Weed Can Still Get Fired
Source: norwalk reflector, ohio gov
Ronald Esquerra says
Am I the only one that thinks “Great, more low wage drivers to depress pay rates.”? Not to mention as a matter of course I don’t understand why anyone with a felony conviction should be allowed to obtain a cdl in the first place.
bobb says
slave labor benefiting the ultra rich corporations. I welcome anyone looking to improve their life honestly, Mexicans included. however, paying disparate people slave wages should be a hanging offense.
EJ says
I wouldn’t call an average of 30,000$ a year Slave wages?
sudon't says
Sure, but only in the sense that slaves receive no wages at all. $30k isn’t enough for a person to buy a house, buy a car, and support a family on. Remember when working folks – perhaps your parents or grandparents – were able to do all that on one salary? Today in the US, working people live in near poverty, especially truckers.
lav says
From nothing to $30,000 is a lot for a lot.
Philip Mahoney says
when you live in a truck 24 seven and spend 30 to 40 hours per week at a loading dock or sitting in a truck stop waiting for your next load 30k is slave labor. the good drivers are making 50 to 60 k per year. keep in mind all of your meals are on the road. How much does one spend of his wages? I bet you can’t answer that question.
Teresa d horn says
$30000 a year is not much money.am about to retire after 20 years.quality people need quality wages.trucking is going to get very unsafe with folks who think so little of themselves.
A. Pyle says
Ronald, you don’t understand why anyone with a felony conviction should be allowed to obtain a CDL? You don’t believe that they should be allowed to turn their lives around? I happen to be one of those people with a felony conviction. I am not a criminally-minded person, however, and I probably don’t fit your stereotypical idea of a convict. I am clean-cut and non-threatening-looking as far as employer-public relations would be concerned, I come from middle-class suburbia, I’ve never done drugs or stolen anything, I’m not violent and have never been in a fight, I’m low-key and mild-mannered. Prior to my sexual offense in my early 20’s (before you freak out, it had nothing having to do w/ rape or young kids), I had a spotless record. The bottom line is you can’t judge all with felonies the same way since everyone’s situation is different. I’ve been finding it very hard to move on with my life due to attitudes such as yours. I just finished CDL school and will be testing soon and I hope and I pray that there are still people who believe in second chances.
Ray says
I hope it works out. It’s important to give these guys a viable alternative to crime.
Stephan says
I too think people make mistakes, everyone deserves a second chance. I believe it’s a good idea.
George says
Just more evidence that the industry is only after the lowest common denominator — steering wheel holders, not drivers. There are already too many companies out there that rely on virtual slave labor from guys who have criminal histories or bad MVR’s, who have no business being behind the wheel of an 80,000 lb. vehicle. The last thing we need is more downward pressure on the wages of the good guys who have worked hard to keep their noses and licenses clean.
sudon't says
It’s not the workers who are depressing wages, it’s the simple fact that trucking companies are not willing to pay to retain professional drivers. Hence the turnover – a rate of turnover that would be tolerated in no other industry. I believe this rate of turnover is the actual business model of many trucking companies. I think they like the fact that a new crop of suckers show up every year, who work for the lowest rate of pay, get fed up, then move along to make room for the next victim. If most drivers stayed, their pay and vacation time increasing year after year, there would be that much less money in the pockets of the owners, wouldn’t there? How would they be able to offer super-cheap freight? This way, truckers subsidize cheap freight for everyone.
Teresa d horn says
Rates have not been good since jimmy carter deregulated our industry in the 80s.
Don says
Perhaps we need to keep in mind a few minor points. First, we are talking about 70 foot long vehicles that can with as much as 80,000 lbs. The vehicles are capable of doing a lot of damage if not responsibly handled. Second, there are a number of agencies who say that trucking isn’t safe enough now despite current laws. Now, we are considering relaxing these rules? What’s wrong with this picture?
Kevin says
Suppose a recently released inmate with no rehabilitation, no skills learned, no hope for a furture is safer to socity then one who choice to change there life around and find employment through a program that offers hope and a step to a life worth living? 80,000lbs at 70mph in there hands is a lot safer then a shotgun at the market i shop. See that skill learned, the job obtained and the sense of accomplishment is a step i believe in the right direction.
Scott Sr. says
Agreed, but sadly you know there will be the occational bad apples and I hope those dont destroy the chance for the ones who really want to change their lives around.
Steve Bell says
I tried to do something like this when I was with CCC…But they told me that they were in the process of closing their school …
One of the benefits of this for the company is that the recruits are accumulating no tickets or points on their license while they have been incarcerated…And they are just the kind of desperate people that the ruthless companies can prey on….The job might even be a condition of their release….Probation?
Billy says
It sure is a shame to see a job such as trucking that used to pay a living wage go down the tubes for corporate greed. OK here’s your freedom work under involuntary servitude under a threat of constant discharge of a company that has less respect for your safety than the prison you were in. Live in a truck smaller than your cell with not even a bathroom. Enjoy looking at road kill as a possible meal as you don’t get three free meal a day. Enjoy the fact that now you get to pay for your health insurance but forget ever visiting a doctor while your on the road. Enjoy law enforcement that now seeks to send you back to where you came from as your previous law enforcement only wants your company again. Enjoy.
Chance Way says
What Job in America hadn’t went down the tubes for some fat cat and his Spoiled family, I seen a chart that said wages in America haven’t went up since 1973, If you adjust for inflation.
Wildfire says
You’ve got a point, but if your not part of the slave labor force ( bad driving record, felony conviction etc) I certainly hope your income, and home time are better than what you write about. If not, you need to seriously consider a change of employment. I was a company driver for 8 year an have been a successful O/O for 5 years now. My record is very good (one backing accident and one citation). I think everyone deserves a second chance, but ours isn’t the industry to supply it in this case. In my opinion, it’s the same as giving a convicted murderer just out of prison a gun and telling him to “be safe”. P I &I are asking for trouble with this supply of drivers.
Mr. Reasonable says
Great. Give people with obvious self control issues a 40 ton weapon. Why don’t we give them a gun too? I’m sure there will be no problems when they get cut off in traffic or confronted at some point by a 4-wheeler.
curtis says
they’re just transferring a few of them to a more scenic prison
Brian Rogers says
Why is it that all of the self proclaimed professionals in this field are always so negative? When I first decided to get into this industry there were very few drivers that had anything positive to say about it yet they stay in it. If you do like it do something about it. Nobody’s forcing you to stay here.
But as far as this program goes I think it’s great. YES I spent three years behind bars for a crime I didn’t commit. Because it was a military court martial my sentence was overturned due to ineffective counsel yet the conviction remains. I am thankful that a company gave me a chance to earn an honest living. Funny I make almost three times the money I made as a SSG in the Army.
EVERYBODY has skeletons in there closet!!! You just haven’t got caught yet so stop judging others and police up yourself. I’m quite sure I’ll get negative comments but I could care less because its not what they call you it’s what you answer to.
You high and mighty above reproach drivers are sickening and sad individuals. It’s funny how many paper log drivers talk about the “good old days” and continue to break the law doctoring log books oh wait let’s not talk about this because we aren’t CONS so its ok to break the law because it benefits our personal gain. Self righteous A$$holes
Chance Way says
I’m just wondering if their helping the person that’s down and out or helping themselves, When the inmate leaves this job for greener pastures, Oh yea, he can’t leave for greener pastures, because no one else will hire him, because he’s got a record, It’s called indentured Servitude!!!!
Wyane says
👏👏👏👏👏✊ keeping it real. Stop the hate to many grumpy old men on here crying.
Pavel says
are u ready to let ex-thief move your goods? how can u be sure full of expencive load trailer will not disappeare? so, I’d ask driver for what he was jailed? yep, sometimes anyone can do mistake and be jailed, but aniway I’d be carefull with this kind of drivers….
mike says
I thought you couldn’t hire a person that had a felony or been in prison becuase of the interstate rules and regs plus they can’t cross state lines being as they are ex’es.
chris says
You soarly mistaken my friend an ex can cross state lines and get a job as driver if you read the interstate laws instead of runnin your armchair warrior of a mouth you would see whats allowed and not allowed. I own 10 heavy haul trucks and 4 of my drivers are fellons and they are some the best god d@m drivers iv ever had. They aim to please they have respect and they are thankfull for their second chance in life. So check yourself at keyboard when u people start typin this crap. I bet i can take any convict that has any kind of brain and turn him into one the best drivers on the road today.
Chris Glover
Owner and Ceo of fearless leasing Inc
me says
No rules against crossing state lines for a felon. No interstate rules against it either.
EJ says
It is possible to hire even with felony convictions. It all depends on the Crime, there is a process that these inmates have to go through to even be eligible for the program, NOT everyone is accepted. They start off making a decent wage that any Truck driver out of school may make (felonies or not) This is a great opportunity for the right people to get back into the workforce when they don’t have many options.
Steven says
I look at it this way, give them a job so that we won’t potentially have to pay for their incarceration. It is cheaper for us for them to go into trucking than it is for us to pay for them to sit in jail.
Bob says
We all have a right to an opinion. It amazes me how quickly we are to share it with others without throughly supporting a position. We should not genericly label everyone convicted of a felony. Not everyone convicted has a prior criminal history. A conviction may also have no relevant bearing on the performance of a job description.
Allen says
I’ve yet to see this “driver shortage” they keep talking about and how the wages will go up because of high demand and low supply.
From what I’ve seen of the “injustice” system, about 85% of the people in it shouldn’t be there. Of the remaining 15%, only 5% should be there and the other 10% are there because the system created them. The 85% are there the first time as a future crop to make the 10%.
Remember, the injustice system has NOTHING to do with Right or Wrong, Truth, “Justice”, or anything else you may see on TV – its just a “SYSTEM” and a very broken, self propagating, SYSTEM. It is set up for one party to win and the other to lose. The side with the best actor/lawyer that can work the judge and jury will be the winner, unless of course there are laws passed by the legislature that stack things in favor for one side – then they’ll be the winner.
The SYSTEM DOES have quotas – revenue and slave labor. The SYSTEM has an agenda – to expand, self propagate, and provide life time employment for those part of the SYSTEM – judges, lawyers, legislators, police, prisons, “non-profit” services (community services, day reports, counselors, etc.) Don’t forget about the prison products and service produced with slave labor.
The biggest problem I see with this program is that most of the participants won’t be able to go to Canada so that will limit their employment options. In addition, it wasn’t clear if they could get a TWIC card – more limitations. What about hazmat endorsements?
If they can make a go of it then great. Its a LOT better than sucking at the government nipple.
jim says
I think that everyone should be given a second chance. However, I find it bothersome
that most of these trucking companies are in pursuit of the lowest common denominator
among potential employees. It’s really a disturbing trend. Why does this industry have to become the overall repository of society’s lowest elements? The trucking companies complain about the “driver shortage,” but do little to compensate drivers. Instead, trucking companies recruit from local prisons in order to redress the “shortage” and the employment discrimination against felons and ex-cons.
Jude Ossowski says
Now we need a program like this to force welfare parasites to learn a trade and get off the back, and wallet, or taxpayers.
Nicholas says
I think this is an excellent idea… Just cause someone has a felony doesn’t mean it was for a violent crime… Someone who has sold drugs in the past and has a felony shouldn’t be able to get a CDL and change there life and make themselves a positive part of society? People who go to jail get out and cannot get a job because of there record get very desperate and turn to violent crimes to try and survive… I’m all for parole’s with CDL’s…
Robert says
I have read every comment and I find it strange that the majority focus on the low wage in trucking, yet it is a fact that if we stop hauling loads for just 3 days we could have anything we want. The low wage in trucking is not the big bad capitalist, but resides squarely on our shoulders.
Another fact is that 85% of people incarcerated in this country are for victimless crimes i.e. drugs and prostitution. Since there is testing for drugs the re-offenders will be screened out in short order and as for the prostitutes aren’t we all.
I personally was convicted in 1997 and released in 1999. I have been a business owner since my release. Had to close my construction company in 2010 due to the housing crash, but have entered the Trucking industry as an o/o. Currently have 2 trucks 1 operating under my authority and 1 leased OTR. I currently have a hazmat endorsement and will have my TWIC soon. If I choose to file with Canada I can also cross the border. This is just to show what can be done if there is a will.
The money is not great in this industry, but again that is our fault and the sooner we accept that we can raise above, but human nature will not allow that. So we will struggle along and bitch how bad it is because of some outside influence. That being said I make enough here to build something more and am willing to make the sacrifices to elevate my status. We are all responsible for our destiny.
Michael Scott says
wow there are some haters out there. everyone deserves a second chance. Like it was mentioned before they are out of prison and off the government dole. Now i can not speak from experience about driver pay and so forth. I have only been driving for 3 years. Between my wife’s and my income we are doing just fine. some of you folks out there may laugh at $750.00 week but I don’t its. We do not live beyond our means
Now as for weather or not and individual can cross state lines? once you are done with your sentence and any follow up probation you can go anywhere you want. You can even get a passport. and leave the county. Its all up to the country that you want to enter if they will allow you in. an you can get a TWIC and haz-mat endorsement as long as you meet the federal guidelines.
douglas hasner says
I recently retired from corrections and ran into an ex-con who many years ago asked me for a good way to once released not to wind up coming back, he has an addict, involved in a gang, I told him to get his CDL, and go over the road as quickly as possible, this provided him three very important things, 1, he would be subject to random drug testing and would have to remain clean, 2: he could effectively escape the gang lifestyle without fear of being “beat out” or possible getting killed for leaving the gang as he could effectively hide from them in the truck as he would be going all over the country 3: he would be able to avoid the influences of those who helped him get incarcerated in the first place. As I started my new carreer in trucking i ran into this individual in a truck stop in new jersey and he by then had ten trucks 8 employees and had not been back to prison since, he thanked me for the advice i had given him many years ago.
Neta says
What a wide range of opinions here! I appreciate Robert’s comments. I see this as an idea with merits, mostly from my perspective a college professor who has experienced working with a few formerly incarcerated men and women, and we also have a special program at our school to help this population gain skills and build a different future for themselves. Working with these students has humbled and inspired me as an educator. I am also a driver: heavy haul flatbed OTR (solo). I hold every endorsement (including coach & motorcycle, lol), and have never had a ticket. I drive summers and breaks when not teaching, but ONLY if there is an empty truck in the yard; I refuse to take a job away from anyone, yet I still manage to get 30,000 miles or so in a year. Unfortunately, the company I drive for struggles to find safe, qualified drivers, despite paying good wages, so a program such as this could really help. In short, changing habits, changing one’s life, is the hardest challenge any individual can face. Just because someone was incarcerated doesn’t mean they can’t be an incredible driver, employee, company owner, or human being. I have Been teaching for 27 years and have seen lives transformed. I will be looking into the possibilities of offering a similar program at my college. Oh, and yes, if it matters, I am a woman, and I’m afraid there are some of you out there who will probably say I shouldn’t be driving, either. ; ) I’ll wave as I roll by….