MUNCIE, Ind. − Scott Blankenship recently completed his first 90 days on the job at North American Stamping Group, the factory that used to be Duffy Tool in southwest Muncie.

For this employee, success represents more than three months at a job. It's the first three months in a new life for the 41-year-old, who is providing for his wife and two children with meaningful employment − without the crime that accompanies illicit drug use.

"Like a man should," Blankenship said.

Blankenship, NASG and the Delaware County criminal justice system are part of a program called JUMP, which aims to help former inmates find work and stay out of jail. Through the program, the worker earns a good job, the employer has someone to fill a needed position in the midst of an acute labor shortage and the county has a productive citizen. The program aims to break a vicious cycle of drugs and crime with repeat offenders filling local jail cells.

The Judicial Users Manufacturing Partnership or JUMP is a six-month program for nonviolent offenders recently released from jail. In addition to NASG participants include CANPACK, Magna PowerTrain, Ken-Bar, Mursix, Muncie Power Products and Muncie Novelty.

The local project is a pilot program being watched at the state level to determine its success. It is headed up in the county probation department by probation officer John Bush. And it is being seen by some manufacturers as a way to develop a good and well-trained workforce.

"MPT (Magna PowerTrain) Muncie has leveraged strong partnerships with local organizations such as Ivy Tech with the Work Matters program and Daleville High School to encourage young talent to enter the advanced technologies industry, said Stephen Brand, general manager of MPT Muncie, in a prepared statement. "Solving the talent shortage means more than just leveraging traditional resources such as local high schools or technical colleges."

Previous efforts to match employers with inmates haven't always worked.

"For the first time we're seeing a true partnership," said Bush. "Employers have been working with me beginning with the conception of the idea."

Ivy Tech's involvement will also be crucial.

Corbin Black, human resource manager at Mursix, a metal stamping component manufacturer in Yorktown, said being able to turn to Ivy Tech to train individuals for the tech jobs needed is important.

"We can get them referred to Ivy Tech and get them skilled up," he said.

Available workers:County enters agreement with Ivy Tech to place offenders at jobs with local manufacturers

The Jump program dovetails with an Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County program called WorkMatters, which is a collaboration between the college and county criminal justice officials.

"Ivy Tech will offer pre-trial release employment, education, and mental health services. Justice-involvedstudents are referred by problem-solving courts and enrolled in Ivy Tech programs, according to a white paper about WorkMatters. "These students and others comprise the IvyTemp workforce pool. IvyTemp is an employee talent pool inpartnership with our Premier Employers where students not only gain work-learn experience during peaktimes at local corporations but also have gainful, short-term employment to help combat poverty and reducerecidivism."

JUMP, which is a six-month program, can be a part of WorkMatters, which is open to anyone seeking additional training, Bush said. After JUMP, a worker can plug into WorkMatters and take their career and skills in whatever direction they choose.

Needed money:Delaware County's JUMP program wins grant funding

Ivy Tech has been meeting monthly with leadership from Magna Powertrain, Mursix, MPP Innovation, Muncie Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.

"We’ve brainstormed, innovated, and created a focus around WorkMatters," Jeffrey D. Scott, Chancellor Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County, said in the white paper. "WorkMatters consists of short-, mid-and long-term strategies to provide viability and sustainability for our actions."

Right now, the program is focused on "the low-hanging fruit" of manufacturers seeking more help. The future at Ivy Tech and WorkMatters could include a wider array of training in fields like culinary arts, said Jennifer Gasiorek, vice chancellor for workforce partnerships and strategic communication at Ivy Tech.

At this point in the program's young life, 24 justice-involved people, 16 men and eight women, have been referred to JUMP. Only five failed to complete the program. But at this point, 197 people in the justice system have been flagged as potential participants.

"This is a great opportunity for us to give people a second chance," Corbin Black said.

One more chance:'Second Chance Dads' working alongside felons to end generational crime

Inside the workplace, Tina Black, who works as human resources director for NASG, said co-workers aren't told who is in the program.

"Everybody is all working together," she said.

Tina Black added that she expects more program participants will be joining North America's labor force soon.

"We are going to be adding a third shift," she said.

Bush said society and the justice system have a duty to help nonviolent offenders reclaim their lives. Too often people with a criminal record are labeled and then kept from earning a living.

"I want to reduce the stigma," Bush said.