CHATTANOOGA, TN -- Brighter futures lie ahead for incarcerated individuals in the Hamilton County Jail thanks to a partnership between the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Chattanooga State Community College. 

While jailed, individuals can participate in a vocational program to earn as many as 200 hours toward an industry-recognized cosmetology credential. Upon release, students are already enrolled at ChattState and can easily continue studying at the college. 

While similar reentry and educational programs have long existed in prisons, Hamilton County's program is unique in that it also provides skills training for people who are in jail for shorter periods. The maximum stay at Hamilton County Jail is 11 months and 29 days. 

County Mayor Weston Wamp told The National Association of Counties, “Investing in our jail re-entry program has the potential to change lives, save tax dollars, and lower crime by reducing recidivism." 

Read more via the National Association of Counties.