A Bridgeport man who spent 17 years in prison is now a lifeline for fellow citizens who have returned home from being incarcerated.

Mike Fernandes is the co-owner of FernanCo Traffic Control in Stratford.

"I'm an OSHA-certified flagger -- a traffic control expert who's paid to keep workers, equipment and the public safe at job sites where we work," Fernandes said.

His company employs 28 workers.

"I co-founded this business with my best friend and business partner, Deon Cohen, who supported me and gave me a second chance after I came home," he said.

"It feels great helping people get up back up on their feet after coming home from incarceration -- the same way Deon did for me," he said.