Fresno County Jail experiment combats repeat offenders

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno County Jail is part of an experiment combatting the behavior of repeat offenders.

The man in the video has been arrested before. And statistics show he will more than likely commit a crime again. Those same statistics estimate 9 out of 10 inmates in this jail are repeat offenders. But an experimental new program, being tested at only six county jails across the country, is trying to stop the revolving door of career criminals.

"This is the first opportunity I've had as a programming manager, to actually see programming affect change," Lt. Michelle Lefours of the Fresno County Jail.

The year old program is called 'Transition from Jail to Community'. Here inmates are given mental evaluations then placed in programs like GED classes, work place help, anger management workshops and even parental guidance seminars. It's a shock to the system for convicts like Edward Grider -- who's spent most of his adult life incarcerated.

"I ain't ever have this opportunity before. You know -- it's not an easy way out but I have a better chance than I ever had," said Grider.

The group makes up less than three percent of the inmate population -- that's because in order to get into the program -- they have to meet strict criteria.

First, they have to be realigned prison inmates, sentenced to prison time but forced to stay in a county jail because of overcrowding at state prisons. They also must be in the final months of their sentence. And most importantly have to be considered medium to high risk to re-offend.

"We could build a lot of jails. And they would fill up very quickly. So until we start addressing, a term I learned was their criminegetic needs we're just going to keep warehousing people," said Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims.

Staying in this program is just as hard. Breaking even one rule could get you removed. So for Avery McLemore -- he says staying in line is a last chance at survival. He's been locked up 65 times since he was 16-years-old.

"I've learned more in this place in a positive way then all those years in prison," said McLemore.

Since it started one year ago, less than ten percent of the inmates who've completed this program have reoffended. Lieutenant Michelle Lefors says it's not perfect, but it's a start.

"These men and women that are in the Fresno County Jail are coming right back to our community. They're going to be your neighbors, they're going to be standing side by side with you at the shopping mall. Wouldn't it be nice to know that they've made a positive change," said Lefors.

A change that starts on the inside.

The program is getting state funding through 2016. Fresno County Sheriff Mims says she hopes they can continue their progress and expand the program over time.