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Cleveland man who spent 17 years in prison is helping ex-offenders find employment

Posted at 7:58 AM, Jul 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-20 07:58:46-04

Mike Swiger runs True Freedom Enterprises. His goal is to find employment for ex-offenders after they’ve served their time. He said some employers are afraid to hire someone who has a troubled past.

"The unemployment rate for ex-offenders is 75% after one year,” said Swiger. "We don't care what you did; we care what you can do."

Swiger’s externship program connects people with opportunities 90 days before they’re released. He saw a need for such a program when he was incarcerated.

“It all goes away in just an instant of bad decision-making," said Swiger. "I helped him move the body, I lied to the police, covered up the crime, I refused to testify. I spent 17 years in prison."

He’ll spend the rest of his life connecting people with opportunity.