Under the direction of Governor Nikki Haley’s office, S.C. Department of Corrections (SCDC) and the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) created the Second Chance initiative to help returning citizens learn job skills and understand how to successfully search for a job.

With this program’s support, returning citizens gain confidence, purpose, and direction, which fosters their successful employment and reduces the recidivism rate.

Features of the Second Chance Program

• DEW partners with SCDC Manning by providing a full-time DEW employee to teach participants employment and soft skills in a classroom setting. Participants register for SC Works, craft résumés, and participate in mock interviews.
• DEW partners with SCDC to offer workshops on SC Works services to those who are about to be released.
• DEW assists returning citizens in local SC Works centers by providing Federal Bonding vouchers, assistance with résumés, and job-searches.
• DEW staff works with employers to promote WOTC and encourage hiring of returning citizens.
• Second Chance Month: In the month of April, DEW partners with organizations to host community job fairs which feature employers open to hiring returning citizens.

Learn about tax credits available to employers that hire returning citizens:

• https://scworks.org/jobseeker/jobseeker-programs/work-opportunity-tax-credit-wotc-program
• https://scworks.org/jobseeker/jobseeker-programs/federal-bonding-program

Explore resources for jobseekers and organizations:

• https://scworks.org/jobseeker/jobseeker-resources
• https://scworks.org/jobseeker/jobseekers-barriers/ex-offenders

To become a Second Chance Employer, please email secondchanceprograms@dew.sc.gov.