From Re-entry to Employment: Benefits of Hiring Second-Chance Individuals
Did you know that 1 in 3 adults have a criminal record (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2024)? What does this mean for the United States workforce? How does this impact the health and safety of your community?
When an individual is released from prison, they begin a phase called “re-entry.” Re-entry is meant to be a phase of re-building one's life, but this failed experiment has a national average of 60% recidivism within three years (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2024). For second-chance individuals, re-entry is job discrimination, barriers to stable housing, re-learning technology, barriers to transportation - a recipe for financial insecurity, homelessness, low morale, and recidivism.
Recognizing this systemic failure, The Power of People Leadership Institute launched an extension of their Re-Planting program in 2023 - the Re-Planting Employment Expansion Program (R.E.E.P.). This initiative takes a holistic approach, providing previously incarcerated individuals with a robust foundation of leadership training designed to bridge the gap between their past and a future of stable, meaningful employment. This approach has been successful over the past twenty years; Re-Planting has a recidivism rate of 6.7 %. This is where the profound benefits of second-chance employment truly come to light.
There’s a lot of stigma surrounding hiring second-chance individuals, but healthy communities need second-chance employers. Employment extends purpose and rehumanization to second-chance individuals which lowers recidivism rates and improves community safety. Nationwide, 60% of previously incarcerated individuals are unemployed (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2024). R.E.E.P. has employed 59% of graduates.
For employers, the advantages are undeniable. An overwhelming 85% report that second-chance employees perform as well as, or even better than, those without criminal backgrounds (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2024). Sixty percent of previously incarcerated individuals are unemployed (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2024), revealing an untapped labor pool, a reservoir of individuals eager to contribute and prove their worth. By embracing these motivated workers, businesses not only fill crucial workforce gaps but also cultivate a motivated and resilient company culture.
The positive impact of second-chance employment extends far beyond the workplace, reverberating throughout the community. Reduced recidivism, a direct result of stable employment, translates directly to lower crime rates, fostering safer neighborhoods for everyone. Furthermore, providing individuals with the opportunity to earn a living stimulates the local economy. When formerly incarcerated individuals become taxpayers and consumers, they inject valuable resources back into their communities, fueling growth and stability.
The positive impact of second-chance employment extends far beyond the workplace, reverberating throughout the community. Reduced recidivism, a direct result of stable employment, translates directly to lower crime rates, fostering safer neighborhoods for everyone. Furthermore, providing individuals with the opportunity to earn a living stimulates the local economy. When formerly incarcerated individuals become taxpayers and consumers, they inject valuable resources back into their communities, fueling growth and stability.
For the individuals themselves, the benefits are transformative. Second-chance employment offers a vital pathway to financial security, enabling them to support themselves and their families. This stability cultivates a profound sense of purpose and belonging, breaking the cycle of recidivism and replacing it with a sense of accomplishment. Ultimately, these opportunities foster self-sufficiency, empowering individuals to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society, proving that second-chances aren't just good for the individual, they are good for everyone.
The Power of People Leadership Institute is actively changing the reality for the second-chance community. Re-Planting has mentored over 6,000 individuals over the past 20 years. R.E.E.P. has graduated 118 employment-ready individuals and achieved an employment rate of 59 %, and Re-Planting has a recidivism rate of only 6.7 %.
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Melhorn, S. F., Hoover, M., Lucy, I. (2024). The Workforce Impact of second-chance Hiring. U.S. Chamber of Commerce. https://www.uschamber.com/workforce/data-deep-dive-the-workforce-impact-of-second-chance-hiring-3
