Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 366 results  for your search.  View and Refine Your Search Terms

  • For-profit philanthropy: Portland labor supply business expanding to other states

    A company in Portland, Maine works to "dignify temp-work" through the employment of former convicts, addicts, and other individuals in rough transitional phases of life. The company operates as a for-profit business working for social good and facilitates a daily meeting for workers to check in with each other and form a supportive community.

    Read More

  • L.A. Homeless and Ex-Felons Find Second Chance in Skid Row Running Club

    L.A. Superior Court Judge Craig Mitchell started the Skid Row Running Club, which leads runs every morning with formerly incarcerated addicts. Many of the participants have led successful lives after running, giving credence to the evidence of a linkage between aerobic exercise and a reparation of the parts of the brain that have been damaged by drug and alcohol abuse.

    Read More

  • A Program Gives Jobs To Those Most At Risk For Violence; Can Chicago Afford It?

    An anti-violence program in Chicago called the Rapid Employment and Development Initiative, or READI, identifies and engages with those most vulnerable to partake or be a victim of gun violence, and provides them with the support they need to avoid it. Born out of a collaboration between the University of Chicago’s Crime and Education Lab and various philanthropical efforts, READI gives participants job counseling and therapy to cope with current and past traumas. While it’s seen demonstrable success, it hopes to expand with the financial support from the city.

    Read More

  • California: Epicenter of Mass Incarceration Reform

    Following a Supreme Court mandate requiring California to address prison overcrowding, the state has taken numerous initiatives to reduce sentences, relocate inmates, set higher accountability measures for law enforcement, and allocate more funding for re-entry programs. While these measures have been implemented across the state, the city of Stockton has been a leader after electing the nation’s youngest – and Stockton’s first African American – mayor, Michael Tubbs. Since then, the city has adopted reforms such as universal basic income and mentorship programs and has witnessed a 40% drop in homicides.

    Read More

  • The latest YouTube craze? Videos that show you what it's like to live in prison.

    As former inmates face the immense challenge of finding employment post-incarceration, some have turned to YouTube as a way of turning their stories into financial security. With just a handful of prison channels garnering upwards of 2.1 million subscribers, the successful videos give viewers a range of information, including advice on how to survive prison and what their lives have been like after release. Underpinning all of these videos is the desire to have a voice, help others as they try to reintegrate, and humanize the criminal justice system.

    Read More

  • A path to success

    In Colorado, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing have partnered to help former incarcerated individuals obtain Medicaid upon re-entry. The partnership allows for data sharing between the two departments to make sure people are leaving correctional facilities with health care in hand, and trains parole officers to help them enroll and use the benefits.

    Read More

  • San Quentin Cooking Class Serves Up Chance for Better Future After Release

    Quentin Cooks, a culinary program embedded within the San Quentin State Prison, is giving inmates necessary training and support to avoid recidivism and build a career in the food industry. The program teaches culinary skills to help participants – most of whom have just 1-2 years left on their sentence – earn the ServSafe Food Handler certificate. Organizers also do industry outreach to help arrange interviews and promote participants, giving them a leg up on employment after they’re released.

    Read More

  • Sustainability Behind Bars: Washington Inmates Are Connecting with Nature

    The Sustainability in Prisons Project has brought environmental lectures, work, and support to thousands of inmates since 2003. It offers a unique type of prison work - wildlife preservation, such as taking care of endangered butterflies. It has also started composting and educational programs, in addition to the therapeutic effects of greenery on prisoners and assistance in reentry.

    Read More

  • Changing How You Think Helps The Transition From Prisoner Back To Citizen

    For people reentering society after prison, the Reentry Initiative offers them the services and support they need. The program, housed at California State San Bernardino, provides former inmates the tools they need to avoid recidivism and rebuild their lives. Some of the classes offered are computer literacy, job readiness, and anger management – but fundamental to it all is cultivating a culture of respect and community amongst participants.

    Read More

  • Mississippi Leads the Nation in Criminal Justice Reform

    The state of Mississippi has taken drastic steps in reforming their criminal justice system, pointing to a nationwide cultural shift as a driving force. State legislation, such as expanding parole eligibility, eliminating mandatory minimum sentences, and barring licensing boards from discriminating against individuals who used to be incarcerated are just a handful of policies the state has championed. The reform has led to a prison population decrease of 11% and state savings of $46 million

    Read More