Rikers Island CDL Program: Next Mile NYC Graduates Its First Class (2026)
Rikers Island now trains detainees for commercial driving licenses through Next Mile NYC — the first cohort graduated in March 2026 and the first released graduate landed a six-figure conditional job offer.
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New York City is now training people for trucking careers while they are still behind bars at Rikers Island — and the first graduate has already lined up a six-figure conditional job offer. Here is how the program works and what it means if you have a criminal record and want a CDL.
What Happened: Rikers Island Graduates Its First CDL Cohort
On March 30, 2026, Christopher Stewart and six other men became the first group of Rikers Island detainees to graduate from a commercial driver's license certification course while still incarcerated. Stewart, 43, was also the first graduate to be released — and he went straight into in-person driving practice with a conditional job offer reportedly in the six-figure range.
The training is part of Next Mile NYC, a free workforce development program launched in 2025 by the New York City Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice in partnership with Emerge Career, a nonprofit that connects justice-involved New Yorkers with careers in high-demand industries. Emerge is actively working with roughly 800 people across the city, with the goal of placing them as commercial truck drivers and diesel technicians.
Who Qualifies for the Rikers CDL Program
- • Detainees serving a "city sentence" at Rikers — convictions for lower-level, nonviolent offenses carrying less than a year of incarceration.
- • People on parole or recently released who have had involvement with the criminal justice system.
- • New Yorkers who are struggling to find economic opportunities because of their criminal history.
The program is free to participants and funded by the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, which plans to increase funding from $2.9 million this fiscal year to $5 million in fiscal year 2027 — about a $10,000 investment per person, which the city says it recoups through tax revenue from graduates earning gainful wages.
Why This Matters for Anyone With a Criminal Record
Justice-involved individuals face some of the highest unemployment rates in the country, and the trucking industry faces a massive driver shortage. Programs like Next Mile NYC exist specifically to close that gap. If you have a criminal record, you can get a CDL — federal law does not bar most people with past convictions from commercial driving, and many companies run second-chance hiring programs.
Key Takeaway
A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from a trucking career. Re-entry programs like Next Mile NYC provide free training, job placement support, and a realistic path to a living wage — whether you are still incarcerated, on parole, or years removed from the system.
How to Get CDL Training With a Criminal Record
Even if you are not in New York, the same playbook applies:
1. Look for re-entry and second-chance programs in your area
Local workforce development boards, community colleges, and nonprofits frequently offer free or grant-funded CDL training specifically for justice-involved applicants. Our re-entry trucking programs directory covers 10 major cities with verified programs.
2. Verify the school is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry
Your training only counts toward a CDL if the school is on the federal registry. Check any school on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before you enroll.
3. Understand what shows up on your record
Background checks, the FMCSA Clearinghouse, and company hiring policies all matter. Read our full guide to getting a CDL with a criminal record to know what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a CDL while in jail?
Yes — Rikers Island now runs CDL certification classes for detainees through Next Mile NYC, and the first cohort graduated in March 2026. Similar in-custody training programs exist in other states.
Do trucking companies hire people with felony convictions?
Yes, many do. Companies run background checks and are barred from hiring for certain serious offenses (for example, a felony involving a commercial vehicle), but most convictions do not automatically disqualify you. Policies vary by company, so be upfront and research second-chance employers.
Is the Rikers CDL program free?
Yes — Next Mile NYC is a free workforce development program funded by the NYC Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice and operated in partnership with Emerge Career.
Bottom Line
Rikers Island graduating its first CDL class is a proof point: with the right program, a criminal record does not have to be the end of the road. If you are justice-involved and want a trucking career, look for re-entry programs in your area, verify the school on the FMCSA registry, and check employer hiring policies before you enroll.
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