I’d never been inside an actual prison until recently.  As a guest of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing recidivism, I spent the afternoon advising inmates with dreams of starting their own businesses.

The experience was remarkable.  In a room packed with energy and optimism, there were plenty of high-fives, dancing and testimonials.  In a country where the recidivism rate is well over 60%, it is remarkable that less than 7% of PEP graduates will ever return to jail.  They are moving the needle in the right direction.

This is significant, especially considering the USA has roughly 25% of the world’s prisoners, while representing only 5% of the world’s population.

Every week in our country, the prison doors open up and 10,000 newly released inmates flood out.  Where do they go?  What will they do?

Odds are if they have a felony conviction on their record, not to mention a large gap on their resume, they have a very low chance of finding a job.  Hence, many people end up defaulting to the same people who got them in trouble in the first place.

Finding a fair wage-paying job is critical to breaking the cycle of poverty.  Moreover, a dependable paycheck is crucial to finding stable housing and accumulating things of value.  Whether it’s an apartment, car, TV, etc., the more things people obtain, the less likely they are to do something dumb to lose them. 

Here’s how we all win (businesses, the local community, society as a whole) when we reduce recidivism.

1)     Shatter the Stigma

When you take into account outside circumstances, there may not be a whole lot of differences between you, your employees, and those serving time in prison.

For example, if you had asked our group of both volunteers and inmates “have you ever broken the law?,” surely a good cross section of people would raise their hands.  Many people have driven after one too many drinks or taken part in mischief when they were young, but were simply never caught.

The website insperity.com puts it well.  “Helping to change the misconception that there’s a massive gap in righteousness between those on the outside and those who’ve been convicted of a crime is an important step in creating a world where ex-offenders are valued just as much as non-offenders.”

2)     The Power of Second Chances

My social enterprise, Z’s Café, has seen incredible transformations over the past 11 years.  We have put 142 low-income men and women back to work, returning to the workforce with respect and dignity.

One of our first employees started as a dishwasher and is now a head cook.  Another made good on a promise to his mother to get his high school diploma.  And four other staff members have started at Tarrant County College as degree-seeking graduates.

It’s amazing what happens when someone feels wanted and needed.

3)     PR for Businesses

There is so much bad news in the press these days, the media loves a feel good story.  Hiring men and women who are “pushing un-pause on life” is a newsworthy undertaking and likely to be a major selling point for a business. 

Coincidentally, studies have shown that younger generations prefer to do business with companies that also have a social mission.  As millennials grow older, their wealth and purchasing power will only increase, driving the market to support local social enterprises.

Some inmates have a dream, but no real plan for when they are released.  The PEP supports inmates to create a business plan, develop financials and even practice their pitch.  If you are a business owner, hiring manager, or community leader, consider hiring someone in transition.  The skills they learn during the program develop critical thinking and presentation skills any company would find valuable. 

After all, haven’t we all at some point asked for a second chance?                           

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To learn more about the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) - https://www.pep.org/

To learn more about Z’s Café – www.zscafe.com/about