Former Arkansas inmate David Jones spent almost seven years in correctional facilities around the state before turning his life around and enrolling in courses at UALR in January 2013.

Although Jones ultimately earned two scholarships this fall to help him pursue a business degree, he realizes how fortunate–and unusual–his case is.

That is one reason he is joining Dr. Kenneth Galchus, professor of economics at UALR, in presenting financial literacy workshops in the Department of Community Corrections in Little Rock, as well as a luncheon talk to Rotarians.

Jones spoke at the correctional facility on Tuesday, Oct. 21 and will do so again on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Galchus leads the workshop for residents of the low security facility about every four months.

“At the first workshop, David will share with the residents about himself, how he turned his life around, and he illuminated for them that if he can do it, so can they,” Galchus said.

In the Oct. 28 workshop, Galchus will discuss credit reports and Jones will address the importance of credit scores and how to avoid identity theft.

Jones and Galchus also spoke to members of the West Little Rock Rotary Club that meets Wednesdays at CHI St. Vincent Hospital.

Galchus shared about his work at the Department of Community Corrections and recent research on prisoner financial literacy. Jones addressed his background and how he will be helping Galchus with the financial literacy workshops.

Jones, who was released just after Thanksgiving in 2012, was awarded the Charles M. Taylor II Scholarship and a Harper W. Boyd Scholarship from the College of Business for this academic year. He plans to graduate in December 2015.

Earlier this year, an Arkansas Department of Correction survey revealed that the level of financial literacy among inmates to be even lower than that of the typical American consumer.

The consortium of faculty behind the year-long project funded by the UALR Institute on Race and Ethnicity agree that the findings are relevant as the state grapples with ways to reduce chronically high rates of recidivism.