Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner announced on Thursday that the Sheriff’s Office is launching the new REIGNITE program to help inmates find opportunities and have a better path for success once they are released.

REIGNITE stands for Residential Enhancement and Individual Growth, Naturally and Intentionally Through Education. Through REIGNITE, inmates will have the opportunity to take classes and learn skills that will put them on a path to better integrate with society after they are released. The Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for partnerships throughout the community to help teach classes on trades like plumbing, welding, carpentry and construction.

Representatives from the National Sheriff’s Association and Genesee County, Michigan, where this program is currently implemented, spoke at the Thursday press conference about the success of the program. In Genesee County, the number of inmates returning to jail went down about 47% and the amount of inmate assaults on staff has been reduced by 96%

If residents are interested in being a part of REIGNITE to help teach classes, please contact Captain Andrew Frobig with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at (701) 241-5800.