RALEIGH, N.C. — (WHKY) A North Carolina program designed to help incarcerated men and women find jobs before their release has expanded to 22 state prison facilities.

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction announced the NC Jobs Exploration in Transition (NCJET) system is now available in 22 prisons, giving nearly 700 incarcerated people access to job-search tools, resume building and employment resources about six months before their release.

The online program allows participants to create resumes, explore careers and connect with “Second Chance” employers willing to hire formerly incarcerated individuals. Once released, their accounts transfer directly to NCWorks Online, allowing them to continue searching and applying for jobs without starting over.

The program launched as a pilot at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women and has steadily expanded. State officials say the long-term goal is to install computers or kiosks in every North Carolina prison.

Department of Adult Correction Secretary Leslie Dismukes said employment is one of the most important factors in helping formerly incarcerated people successfully return to their communities. Officials say about 96% of people in state prisons will eventually return to the public, and improving employment opportunities could reduce repeat offenses while strengthening the state’s workforce.