By Staff
ST. JOSEPH - When an ex-offender finds a job, everybody wins. Studies show that employment curbs recidivism and contributes to the economy.
Many business owners say that ex-offenders are great employees because they're determined to prove themselves and are grateful for a second chance. 
A primary goal of the Michigan Prison Re-entry Initiative (MPRI) is to help these folks obtain employment while helping businesses find great employees.
Peg Schaffer has been appointed the new Berrien County community coordinator for the MPRI. 
Schaffer brings a wealth of experience to the position as a former support services manager for the Berrien County Trial Court. 
In this position she worked with the Drug court, Domestic Violence Court and civil/family mediation programs. 
Schaffer comes directly from the Sheriff's Office, where she was employed as a deputy within the jail division. 
As MPRI community coordinator, Schaffer will be responsible for developing and maintaining community partnerships with organizations dedicated to providing services to parolees and their families.
She is working under the direction of the Berrien County MPRI Steering Committee.
The mission of the MPRI is to increase safety in communities through crime reduction. 
By implementing a seamless plan of services and supervision developed with each offender - delivered through state and local collaboration - from the time of their entry to prison through their transition, reintegration and aftercare in the community, the MPRI should result in safer communities.