Rankin First | Economic Development Authority | P.O. Box 129 | Brandon, MS 39043 USA | 601-825-5335
RANKIN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI
| 601-825-5335

Partnership between law enforcement, private industry grows opportunity for inmates successful re-entry

Jul. 6, 2022

Source: Rankin County News

Successful reentry has been a priority over the past several years to the Mississippi Legislature. A huge factor in a former inmate not returning to prison is gainful employment. Senate Corrections Chairman Senator Juan Barnett and House Corrections Chairman Senator Kevin Horan helped Rankin County Representative Gene Newman and the Rankin County Delegation pass a pilot work program in 2021.

In this year's session, the same leaders expanded the pilot program to include some other counties and the MS Department of Corrections. Commissioner Burl Cain went into action immediately and began to make preparations for vocational training for inmates. One of these vocational programs is a Commercial Driver's License Program. Commissioner Cain immediately secured the funds for driving simulators but lacked a tractor trailer rig for hands on training.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey heard Commissioner Cain speak one day about the many reentry programs he wanted to start in the Department of Corrections but was having to start some of them from scratch, like the CDL program.

The Rankin County Sheriff's Office Criminal Interdiction Team with the assistance of Rankin County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett had recently seized a 2009 International Commercial vehicle that was used to transport contraband belonging to Mexican Drug Cartels. God laid it on Sheriff Bailey's heart that Rankin County should donate the vehicle to Commissioner Cain's Reentry Program. Bailey approached the Rankin County Board of Supervisors with the idea and received immediate and unanimous approval.

Commissioner Cain was surprised and excited when he was told about the vehicle donation. Then all that was needed was a trailer for the truck to pull. Commissioner Cain and Sheriff Bailey contacted CEO Jim Richards of KLLM Transport Services based in Rankin County. When told about the program and need for a trailer, Jim Richards immediately said yes and that KLLM would donate a trailer.

Today, June 30th, 2022 Commissioner Burl Cain along with MAGCOR CEO Bradley Lum were given the keys to the 2009 International Truck and KLLM trailer. This truck and trailer will change hundreds of lives by giving these inmates the necessary training and skills to have a successful career making very good money.


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