Center for Justice & Economic Advancement (JFF)’s Post

The United States faces a glaring gap in skilled and entry-level workers. Companies are spending exorbitant amounts on recruiters and job boards to find talent. Meanwhile, in California alone, 10,000 people are released from prisons and jails every month, burdened by a scarlet letter on their resumes due to archaic background checks and the outdated belief that a past mistake defines their future. It’s time to change the narrative! Imagine the possibilities if we invest in companies, organizations, and individuals with criminal records. These untapped talents are being trained and are ready to bring fresh perspectives and innovation to the private sector. By eliminating bias, you’ll discover a goldmine of potential that can propel your organization to new heights. Join the movement to champion fair hiring practices and give everyone a fair chance to contribute their skills and passion to society. #FairChance #HiringPractices #FairChanceChampions #UnlockPotential #InnovateWithTalent

We're seeing the first hires of the new government and it's refreshing to see them recruit people not only fit for the role but also from outside the world of career politicians. One of my favourite placements is James Timpson as Prisons, Parole, and Probation Minister. Yes, the CEO of that high street store Timpsons you went to once when you needed new keys cut. Here's why I love him for it: 👍 He has been a passionate advocate for rehabilitation and hiring ex-offenders. This is an area he knows a lot about. 👍 He is an outstanding business leader. His business model combines commercial success with performing social good, showing it is possible to do both well. Imagine bringing this model to public services. 👍 He pioneered upside-down management. Devolving decision-making to individual stores giving them total authority and trust. He knows how to get the best out of teams and individuals. UK prisons are in dire straits. They're over-crowded and the conditions in many of them are atrocious. We obviously need prisons but at the same time it's obvious that our justice system isn't working. I'm hoping the hire of James Timpson is just one example of many to come of creatively sensible decision-making.

One of the most promising things to come out of the past few weeks is the appointment of James Timpson as Minister for Prisons. Timpsons are a shining example of how businesses can provide opportunities to ex offenders, helping them turn their lives around through training, mentorship and purpose. See the below piece for more details about the opportunities that exist in this space ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/em-bQCzZ

New Orijin Report: The Imperative for Increased Access to High School Equivalency Programming in Corrections for Successful Reentry - Authored by Dr. Amy Lopez. Mass incarceration affects millions, and the path to successful reentry begins with education. In her latest white paper, commissioned by Orijin™, Dr. Lopez highlights the critical need for high school equivalency (HSE) programs within correctional facilities. With 73% of U.S. jobs requiring a high school diploma or equivalent, this foundational step is key to unlocking employment opportunities and reducing recidivism. The report delves into the barriers to educational access in prisons and proposes actionable solutions to overcome these challenges. Investing in these programs not only supports individuals but also strengthens our communities. Ready the report now. https://lnkd.in/eBch32Z3 #JusticeReform #Education #Reentry #CorrectionalEducation #HighSchoolEquivalency #MassIncarceration #SocialImpact #OrijinEdTech

Have you checked out this article by Annick Platt, National Operations Director, Novus - Foundations for Change Innovative teaching methods in prisons: overcoming barriers to education https://lnkd.in/e-p6PTJk #PrisonEducation #OffenderLearning

Week 4 Content Creation Brief 🗄️ My final Content Creation Brief from Mindless Academy is about the working conditions of offenders in prisons in relation to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. There is a discussion of the substantially low rate of pay received; the impacts of low wages; actions that can contribute to improvements; and a list of businesses to support that employ prison leavers. The pains of imprisonment theory suggests that offenders are deprived of liberty, autonomy, security, relationships, and goods and services. Offering them a rate of pay that is severely below the National Minimum Wage further deprives them of opportunities to desist from crime after release due to low finances. This results in a cycle of crime that is extremely difficult to exit without strong support networks and career prospects. The purpose of this brief is to increase education within communities about the disproportionate pay within prisons and increase support for companies that offer employment to prison leavers. Laurie Stewart, Georgia Knell, Dekan Apajee

Incarcerated workers in American prisons generate billions of dollars worth of goods and services annually but are paid pennies per hour without proper training or opportunity to build skills for careers after release, according to a comprehensive nationwide report released by the American Civil Liberties Union and University of Chicago Law School Global Human Rights Clinic today. The first-of-its-kind report, Captive Labor: Exploitation of Incarcerated Workers, examines the use of prison labor throughout state and federal prisons in the U.S. and highlights how incarcerated workers’ labor helps maintain prisons and provides vital public services. Captive Labor also calls for far-reaching reforms to ensure prison labor is truly voluntary and that incarcerated workers are paid fairly, properly trained, and able to gain transferable skills. https://lnkd.in/dzye5dvt

🤝Employment Advisory Boards (EABs) provide a platform for business leaders, HM Prison and Probation Service staff and stakeholders to improve the training and employment offer to prisoners. Lynne Kennedy and Robert Cooke from Greene King lead Greene King’s ‘Releasing Potential’ Programme, which supports prison leavers into employment on release. They also Chair the EABs at HMPs Durham and Altcourse. Lynne told us: “At HMP Durham, we work together to pilot new ways of working, including creating EAB steering groups to focus on key segments of a prisoner’s resettlement journey. Progress is reported at each EAB meeting to seek advice. We’re in our early days, but already starting to see green shoots.” 🌱 Robert said: “Previously, employers were getting frustrated if prisons couldn’t quickly find appropriate candidates. Following this feedback, we supported PELs to find and focus specifically on individuals who are work ready.” ✅ Examples like this show that through the support provided by EAB members, that every small win adds up to bigger results and is collectively making a difference to people's lives. We know that employment post-release reduces the likelihood of reoffending, which keeps the public safe. 👀 Stay tuned to hear more about Greene King’s involvement with Unlocking Hospitality 2024! #ReducingReoffending #EmploymentOpportunities

Traditional college degrees may help LOWER recidivism, but it doesn't get us closer to SOLVING it... Foregoing traditional education and helping returning citizens go from prisons cells to CEOs should be a superior alternative in our reentry efforts... https://lnkd.in/d9q9Jvna #secondchances #reentry #reentrymatters #justiceimpacted #formerlyincarcerated #entrepreneurshipeducation #entrepreneur #massincarceration #endmassincarceration #policy #policychange #policyreform #policyadvocacy #policymakers

This Giving Day, we encourage you to express your commitment to peace, social justice, and racial equity. Show your support for CSRPC's newest initiative, Beyond Prisons, which presents a groundbreaking approach to community-centered pedagogy, research, cultural production, and civic engagement. Beyond Prisons transcends prison confines to reach the communities most impacted by mass incarceration. #GivingDay #CSRPC #BeyondPrisons #SocialJustice #RacialEquity #CommunityEngagement #MassIncarceration #HigherEducation #StudentEngagement #TransformativeLearning Central to the initiative are mixed enrollment classes that bring incarcerated students together with U Chicago undergrads to learn side-by-side. In the words of one recent UChicago student, “The mixed enrollment course has been the best class I have ever taken... [it] is very real, and the discussions and tasks we complete have direct relation to the worlds we live in....[it] unlocked a side to me that I didn't know existed.” We invite you to demonstrate your support for CSRPC and join us in spreading the transformative power of students learning together, breaking down barriers and divisions. Giving Day kicks off on Tuesday, March 26th.