SOCIAL & ECONOMIC BENIFITS
Economic aspects
Employment discrimination against ex-felons causes the nation an approximately $80 billion loss every year. As a result, cities which already suffer from the massive jail costs, lose their tax revenue. Studies conducted by the ACLU identified that Philadelphia could reduce their correctional costs by $2 million just by hiring 100 more ex-offenders. A 50 percent increased employment for formerly incarcerated individuals in Florida would save the state $86 million per year in costs connected to ex-felons reoffending. Overall, a 10 percent decrease in recidivism rates could save states an average of $635 million each year. Employers make big savings with the lower turnover through employment with an ex-offender to be $746 which is a lot higher than the amount they risk losing due to an act of misconduct by the employee. Altogether this identifies the importance in employers picking the person most fit for the job no matter their background of having a criminal record or not. [9]
Social aspects
The United State is a country that believes in second chances. An investment in Successful Reentry would allow many men and women a chance to integrate into society and become more productive members. They would be given the chance to maintain relationships with their families and kids. Giving them the opportunity to restore their rights after they have been released from prison can reinstate the social contract and prevent them from re-offending.
Here are three true stories of transformation from prison to influential professions:
Sean Pica
He was sentenced to 24 years in prison as a 9th grade New Yorker. He had little hope for himself or his future, but as he started reading children’s books for other inmates and helping them with their writings to their loved ones he felt a spark of enjoyment and fulfillment. After enrolling in an organization called Hudson Link, a education program in prisons, he was enabled to take college classes and further educate himself. After he was release he went to earn 400 credits and 2 master's degrees. Later he returned to the Hudson Link organization becoming their executive director. The program has helped thousands of women and men in prison to gain an education, less than 4% of whom recidivate. Today Pica’s work saves New York taxpayers over $21 million per year and the number is continuously growing.
“Education transforms hopeless situations into inspiring opportunities to lead and give back” - Sean Pica [10]
Marilyn Barnes
For 20 years Barnes was in and out of prison struggling with drug addiction. Being a young woman at the time made her time spent in prison even harder, but with the assistance and guidance of Root and Rebound’s Roadmap to Reentry guide, she managed to earn her degree in education, become an author, and later found a non-profit organization Because Black is Still Beautiful. As someone with firsthand accounts regarding systemic problems she has a fueled passion to help individuals break free from the cycle of recidivism.
"One of Root and Rebound’s core principles is education empowers. Knowledge breeds power and can have exponential impact.” - Marilyn Barnes [10]
Richard Miles
A man who spent 15 years in prison as an innocent man from age 19 to 34. After his release Miles still faced continuing obstacles with employment and housing, which in he describes as the perfect mixture for recidivism. However, after being completely cleared in the case Miles vs. State of Texas, he established a misson: to allow men and women re-entering society housing, employment, and the chance to regain the dignity to rebuild their lives. His project Miles of Freedom is a stand together Catalyst which offers education and a three month job readiness workshop, which goal is financial literacy, resume building, and placement with employers.
“Empathy undergirds the drive to accomplish a huge, meaningful vision” - Richard Miles [10]
