For Immediate Release

June 29, 2017

DeFuniak Springs, Fla— Inmates incarcerated at the Walton County Jail were given a unique opportunity to plan for their return to the community Friday.

Career Source of Okaloosa Walton in conjunction with Emerald Coast Technical College put on a career day bringing their mobile unit to the jail off Triple G Road in DeFuniak Springs.

The event was aimed at teaching inmates about the federal bonding program, different types of eligibility for financial aid, and careers accessible to them regardless of their criminal record.

“The idea is to get these folks thinking about getting away from the life that got them here,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “If there is one or two who see the opportunity to change their life and do it – we’ve done our job.”

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is currently providing vocational and technical learning opportunities to inmates while serving their sentences to help them create a pathway to enroll in at vo-techs like Emerald Coast Technical College once they are released.

Twenty inmates from both Walton and Escambia Counties participated in the event.