On Wednesday, the Second Chance Offender Reentry Court, also known as SCORE Court, celebrated its first graduates at the Mahoning County Courthouse.

Cyle Barnes and Austin Swigger received their certificates of completion from Judge Anthony Donofrio. During the ceremony the two formerly incarcerated men got the chance to share their experience with program.

Swiger said the program provided a safe environment for him to address traumas that may have led him to the justice system.

The court and community partners, like TRAVCO, First Step Recovery, and Brightview work together to supervise treatment, training, and support.

After Swiger's speech, Burns approached the podium to reflect on his journey with community leaders and judges. 

"I was a kid and I was on a bad road. [Judge Anthony D'Apolito] gave me plenty of chances when I know he shouldn't have, but this is the end right here. I can promise you that," Burns said.

According to Judge Anthony Donofrio the primary purpose of SCORE court is to help people transition from incarceration to the community by providing support, education, mental health services, housing, and employment. 

"Both of them had some bumps in the road in the beginning, but they were focused, they maintained their goal, they stayed on track and I'm just so proud of them today," Donofrio said.

The program lasts two to five years, allowing participants to be released from prison earlier upon completion.