LOUISVILLE, KY. – Goodwill Industries of Kentucky has announced a partnership with the Pulaski County Detention Center that will allow the facility to immediately prepare a supply of clothing for inmates upon their release.
Often, individuals released from incarceration are without any clothing aside from their prison attire. This partnership will allow formerly incarcerated individuals to better present themselves as they begin their reintegration into society.
“It’s an honor working with Jailer Anthony McCollum, Deputy Michelle Bramble and all the dedicated staff at Pulaski County Detention Center,” said Becky Wilson, Goodwill’s director of career services for the Somerset/east region. “They are actively making every effort possible to reduce recidivism by providing inmates with connections to services at Goodwill and many others to ensure their most basic needs are being met once they have reentered society. They truly want to see them succeed.”
Pulaski County Detention Center representatives were provided with Goodwill gift certificates to shop Somerset-area Goodwill stores for the clothing closet. In addition, the detention center will connect inmates with Goodwill’s barrier-reduction services, which assist Kentuckians who experience addictions, justice-involved backgrounds, education deficiencies, limited workforce histories, childcare challenges, transportation, homelessness, mental or physical disabilities and more.
“It’s been wonderful working with Goodwill,” said Michelle Bramble, program coordinator for Pulaski County Detention Center. “They have done a lot over the years to help our inmates and help us make our program successful. Goodwill has also been helpful when the inmates get released and making sure they are prepared for integration back into society.”
Brandy Cook, a former inmate at the Pulaski County Detention Center, said she wouldn’t be where she is today without the services Goodwill offered her post-release.
“I am so grateful for the resources that Goodwill offers,” said Cook. “With their help, I have been able to obtain full-time employment, I’m in the process of getting a college degree, and I’ve learned life skills to help me in everyday life.”
About Goodwill Industries of Kentucky
Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is a 100-year-old nonprofit organization that operates in 103 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. The organization is committed to using resources from its 67 retail stores to help build pathways out of poverty for individuals who need a hand up in life. In 2023, Goodwill helped place 3,185 Kentuckians into jobs with its 1,330 employer partners and inside its own retail stores. Goodwill uses approximately 90 cents from every dollar generated in its retail stores to operate programs and services that help Kentucky’s hardest-to-serve job seekers build the life they desire.