Created: 11/20/2009 5:17:07 PM 
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Students planning careers in criminal justice got a chance to see first hand what's being done in Jacksonville when it comes to crime.
Several students in an advanced criminology class toured and saw first hand what Operation New Hope is doing to transition convicted felons back into the the work force.
Ready4Work is nationally recognized program that involves mentoring, life coaches and skill training to help give released felons a second chance.
"I don't think you can fully grasp the problem or the concept of criminal justice or any social science if you don't leave the classroom," said Amber Swayse, a graduate student.
Dr. Michael Hallett says taking the classroom to the real world gives students not only perspective, but also the chance to ask professionals their views on what works and what doesn't.
"My view is you can only empower them (students) and enable them to do their job be getting them out into the community and observe for themselves what's going on," said Hallett who heads up the UNF Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
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