Insights and Perspectives

Second Chances Around the Globe: Reentry Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:45:06 GMT

A Look at National vs. International Approaches

Reentry employment is one of the challenges facing workforce development today, and one of the most important. Across the globe, millions of individuals leave correctional systems each year with the same goal: to rebuild their lives. While the goal of helping justice-impacted individuals successfully reintegrate into society is worldwide, available pathways and support systems vary by geography, policy, and access to resources.

There is no single blueprint for reducing recidivism. Instead, success depends on flexible, holistic approaches that reflect local needs while leveraging shared global insights. This is why the truth in workforce development today is that reentry isn’t one-size-fits-all. While the approaches differ, the challenges and opportunities remain the same.

The Scope of the Challenge

Recidivism remains a persistent issue across regions. In North Carolina, for example, a report from the Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission found that 44% of individuals released from state prisons were re-arrested within two years. Even in states making progress, challenges remain. California’s recidivism rate, for instance, still sits around 39% within three years, though it has declined with expanding rehabilitation programs.

In the United States, national studies indicate that a substantial percentage of individuals are rearrested within three years of release. The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reported that 66% of released state prisoners were rearrested within three years, and 82% were arrested at least once within the next 10 years post-release. Internationally, similar patterns emerge. In Australia, reconviction rates exceed 50%, while nearly one-third of individuals in the UK return to prison.

The Research is Clear: Employment Changes Outcomes

The difference that employment makes is the factor that stands out across numerous studies. When individuals have access to stable, meaningful work after release, they are much less likely to reoffend. Employment provides financial stability, structure, and routine, and helps individuals rebuild a sense of identity and purpose.

Research shows that employment-focused programs can reduce post-release crime by nearly 8% within 3 years. Work release participants also see good results, with 15.5% lower rearrest rates and 36.9% lower reincarceration rates. In addition, studies have found that education and workforce programs can reduce recidivism by as much as 29%. These findings highlight that helping individuals find work is one of the most effective ways to support successful reentry. However, employment is not just about having a job. It’s about having access to the right opportunities at the right time. Without that access, many individuals still face barriers that prevent them from fully reentering the workforce.

Barriers to Employment: Why Opportunity Isn’t Always Accessible

While employment is one of the most powerful drivers of successful reentry, it is not simply about having a job. It’s about having access to the right opportunities. For many justice-impacted individuals, that access remains limited, even when the motivation to work is strong.

As highlighted in Geographic Solutions’ Second Chance Month: Challenges, Misconceptions, and Benefits of Reentry, individuals returning to society often face a combination of barriers that make securing employment difficult. Housing instability and a lack of reliable transportation can make it challenging to maintain consistency, while gaps in digital skills can create obstacles in navigating today’s online job search. Many individuals must also overcome employment gaps and the stigma associated with a criminal record, both of which can impact hiring decisions.

These challenges show that employment is not just about availability. Instead, it’s about accessibility. Without the right support systems in place, even highly motivated individuals may struggle to reenter the workforce, showcasing the need for more inclusive, supportive reentry strategies.

A Global Comparison of Reentry Approaches

While the challenges of reentry are shared worldwide, the solutions vary widely depending on policy, partnerships, and available resources. What remains consistent is the growing recognition that successful reintegration requires a coordinated, holistic effort. As moderator Miguel Peromingo, Researcher and Speaker on the Future of Public Employment Services, stated during Geographic Solutions’ webinar, Holistic, Inclusive, and Digital Approaches to Reduce Recidivism and Reoffending:

“It’s about creating an ecosystem, talking to employers, facilities, and all those that can help make the integration happen.”

There’s also growing agreement that reentry isn’t just a social issue; it’s an economic one. Jeff Korzenik emphasized this point, explaining that

“Reducing recidivism is not just a public safety issue; it’s also very much an economic issue.”

When large groups of people struggle to reenter the workforce, it affects the overall labor supply and economic growth.

United States: Building Integrated Reentry Ecosystems

In the United States, reentry efforts are increasingly focused on collaboration. States are bringing together correction agencies, workforce organizations, and employers to better support individuals as they transition back into society. North Carolina’s Reentry Initiative is one example, connecting individuals with career centers and support services to help them find work.

There’s also a strong focus on preparing individuals before they are released. This emphasis on early preparation is critical because the transition back into society can be extremely challenging. As Suzie Changus, Chief Assistant General Manager, California Correctional Training Rehabilitation Authority (CALCTRA), explained:

“That 30, 60, 90-day period post-release is wildly disorienting, a true point of instability.”

Research from the U.S. Department of Justice supports this, showing that the first few months after release are critical for long-term success. Reentry efforts are often paired with a focus on pre-release job readiness, skills development, and employer engagement, ensuring individuals are better prepared before they return to their communities.

Europe: Rehabilitation and Reintegration First

In many European countries, reentry is embedded directly into the incarceration experience. Systems in countries such as Norway and the Netherlands emphasize education, vocational training, and gradual reintegration, treating incarceration as a period of preparation rather than isolation.

This approach reflects a goal that prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment. Countries that adopt these models tend to have significantly lower recidivism rates; for example, Norway’s recidivism rate is often cited at around 20%, compared to much higher rates in other regions.

Bruce Roch, Global Head of Inclusion and Diversity at Adecco France, highlighted this mindset during the webinar, noting that this approach is rooted in opportunity and inclusion.

“People have a right to work once they are done with their condemnations.”

The United Kingdom has also expanded efforts to involve employers earlier in the process. Initiatives such as Employment Advisory Boards bring businesses directly into correctional settings, ensuring that training aligns with real labor market needs. This employer-led approach helps create clearer pathways from incarceration to employment, reducing the disconnect between training and opportunity.

Australia: Throughcare and Continuity

Australia’s approach to reentry emphasizes continuity of care, often referred to as a “throughcare” model. This means individuals receive support before release and continue to receive it after returning to the community. As described in Australia’s Prison to Work report, effective throughcare “starts in custody well before walking out of the prison gate” and continues with hands-on support during the transition back into the community. This includes case management before release, individualized plans, and continued guidance after release to help individuals navigate employment, housing, and other needs.

Throughcare models have also shown the importance of culturally responsive approaches, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Community-led, culturally informed programs achieve more engagement and better outcomes. At the same time, challenges remain. Access to stable housing, especially in remote areas, and limited-service availability can make it difficult to deliver support. Yet the throughcare model continues to grow because it addresses that long-term success depends on continued support, not just preparation at the point of release.

Programs such as Work Ready and Release Ready (WRRR) reflect this approach by combining pre-release preparation with post-release mentorship and community-based services. By maintaining engagement over time, these programs help individuals build stability, overcome setbacks, and move toward long-term success.

Canada: Structured Reintegration and Community Support

Canada’s approach to reentry balances support and structure. The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) places a heavy focus on gradual reintegration, often using parole and supervised release to help individuals transition back into society step by step. A key part of this model is individualized planning. Many individuals work with case managers to create reentry plans that include job goals, training, and support services. This helps ensure they are better prepared for life after release.

Canada also relies heavily on community partnerships. Nonprofits, local organizations, and employers play an important role in helping individuals find work and rebuild stability. In addition, there is a strong focus on culturally responsive programs, especially for Indigenous populations, to better address specific needs. Overall, Canada’s model shows that combining structure with support can create a smoother, more stable reentry process.

Technology: Bridging the Gap Between Systems

While policies and programs vary across regions, technology is transforming reentry everywhere. Workforce platforms are changing what’s possible by giving individuals access to tools and resources before they are released. Solutions like Geographic Solutions’ VOS REO allow individuals to create résumés, search for jobs, explore career pathways, and connect with employers while still incarcerated.

In the past, job searching often didn’t begin until after release, when individuals were already facing instability and time-sensitive challenges. Now, individuals can start to prepare earlier, build skills, find opportunities, and even secure interviews before they leave prison. This is where technology plays a critical role. Through partnerships with Geographic Solutions, programs like California’s are using tools that allow individuals to begin preparing for employment while still incarcerated. As Suzie Changus shared, these platforms:

This early engagement is even more effective when it continues after release. Tools like VOS REO can connect directly with state workforce systems, allowing individuals to transition seamlessly into public workforce services such as American Job Centers. This means they can continue updating résumés, applying for jobs, accessing training programs, and receiving support from workforce staff without starting over.

By reducing the gap between incarceration and employment, this proactive approach helps create a more stable transition and improves the likelihood of long-term success.

Why One-Size-Fits-All Doesn’t Work

Because reentry looks different in every region, a single approach won’t work everywhere. Programs need to consider local job markets, policies, available resources, and even how communities view the justice system.

What works in one place might not work in another, not because it’s a bad idea, but because the situation is different. Each region has its own challenges and opportunities.

That’s why flexibility matters. The most effective reentry programs are able to adapt to local needs while still focusing on what works.

What Successful Reentry Systems Have in Common

Despite these differences, the most effective approaches share key principles:

1. Start Early - Engage individuals before release, not after.

2. Think Holistically - Address employment, housing, health, and stability.

3. Leverage Technology - Provide accessible tools for job readiness.

4. Engage Employers - Align training with real workforce demand.

5. Build Partnerships - Connect public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders

6. Focus on Outcomes - Measure success beyond recidivism, such as employment, stability, and quality of life.

The Path Forward

The most effective reentry strategies go beyond simply reducing recidivism. They create real opportunities. They build systems that recognize potential, remove barriers, and help individuals move forward. There may not be a single solution that works everywhere, but by combining ideas from different regions, local innovation, and technology, we can build stronger, more effective reentry systems.

Reentry isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that’s what makes it work. Different approaches reflect different needs, and that flexibility creates better outcomes. When individuals succeed after incarceration, the impact extends beyond a single person. It helps families, supports employers, and leads to stronger, safer communities.

Second Chance Month: Challenges, Misconceptions, and Benefits of Reentry

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 17:22:46 GMT

April is Second Chance Month, a nationally recognized observance founded by Prison Fellowship in 2017, dedicated to raising awareness and support for reentry programs that help justice-impacted individuals reintegrate back into society. Since the first Second Chance Month, multiple U.S. presidents and more than 25 states and D.C. have recognized the observance.

In the United States, nearly one in three adults has a criminal record and every year over 650,000 individuals are released from state and federal prisons, meaning more than 70 million Americans have been involved with the criminal justice system. Many of these individuals face obstacles when reentering into society. Securing stable employment, housing, healthcare, education, and other essentials becomes a difficult task for those with a record. As a result, nearly 75 percent of justice-impacted individuals remain unemployed a year after their release. Successful reentry into society is crucial as it helps individuals rebuild their lives, reduces recidivism, improves public safety, and strengthens communities.

In observance of Second Chance Month, this blog will explore some of the challenges, misconceptions, and benefits of reentry, highlighting the importance of supporting reentry programs and the role of Geographic Solutions' VOS REO solution.

The Challenging Road to Reintegration

Securing Safe Housing

Justice-impacted individuals face significant barriers in accessing affordable and safe housing, potentially leading to instability, homelessness, and higher risk of recidivism. Adrianne Slaughter, Montana Department of Corrections Government Relations Director, stated that "housing is the biggest obstacle to success both in getting released and making it in the community." Without a secure place to live, these individuals may struggle to meet parole requirements, further complicating their reintegration process. Elayne Weiss, Senior Policy Analyst at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, highlighted a study that found returning inmates without stable housing are twice as likely to recidivate compared to those with stable housing. Programs that provide transitional housing and support services are essential in helping individuals build a foundation for a successful reentry.

Technology Transition

Many individuals who have been justice-impacted for a long period of time struggle with using modern technology when released. For example, someone who has been in prison for 20 years may find it challenging to navigate advances in technologies such as smartphones, computers, or online job applications. In an article by Wired, author Luke Elliott Sommer who served time for 17 years, highlighted his experience with technology changes while he served his time.

“I have watched flip phones become iPhones, EVs become ubiquitous, and AI start to take over the world,” said Sommer. Still, I have been largely unable to use that technology myself.”

Sommer is not alone in feeling these sentiments, many justice-impacted individuals feel disconnected from the outside world and technology skills and training are often essential in new job markets and this technological gap can hinder their ability to find employment.

Financial Literacy

Justice-impacted individuals often lack financial skills, making it hard to budget, save money, and manage debt after release. In April 2023, Geographic Solutions' Marketing Content Team Lead, Evan Brenner, interviewed Augie Ghilarducci, President and COO of 2nd Opportunity. Augie, who was incarcerated for 13 years, shared his firsthand experience of reentering society. He stated that, during his time in prison, he met many fellow prisoners that had never had a bank account and if they needed to transact any type of banking business, they would be paying fees though cashing checks essentially losing a portion of their paycheck due to a lack of guidance on banking and credit.

Augie founded 2nd Opportunity with the goal of educating justice-impacted individuals on topics such as financial literacy before their release. By providing education on topics such as budgeting, saving, and understanding credit, reentry programs empower justice-impacted individuals to make informed financial decisions. His inspiring story and impactful work were featured in this Second Chance Month's Pathways to Employment webinar on April 8th, 2025, alongside Torrey Leach, Workforce Development Manager at the NC Department of Adult Correction. The webinar also covered crucial topics such as the barriers faced by justice-impacted individuals, strategies to create job opportunities, and programs aimed at reducing recidivism. Check out the webinar recording to learn more!

The Realities of Reentry

Myth: Justice-impacted individuals are not interested in education.

Justice-impacted individuals are eager to pursue education and training to improve their chances of finding employment. A study conducted by the RAND Corporation found that justice-impacted individuals who participated in educational programs were highly motivated to improve their skills and knowledge and that those who engaged in correctional education had a 43% lower chance of recidivating and a 13% higher chance of obtaining employment after release. This demonstrates a strong interest in education among justice-impacted individuals to work towards bettering their lives and securing stable employment. In the article Intersections and Opportunities: Correctional Education Programming and Supporting the Complex Needs of Returning Citizens by Alex Tabor, the author explains how education fosters productive collaboration, teamwork, and group encouragement among incarcerated men and returning citizens completing their GEDs. These examples showcase the reality of justice-impacted individuals' motivation towards education. Many are highly motivated to pursue education to improve their chances of finding stable employment and successfully reintegrating into society.

Myth: Correctional facilities that want to expand access to technology and education must be willing to compromise the security of the facility.

Correctional facilities have successfully used technology to broaden the scope of education programming while maintaining appropriate and effective safeguards. The E2E Network, developed by Geographic Solutions in partnership with CALPIA, demonstrates that it is possible to expand access to technology and education without compromising security. Innovations by Geographic Solutions' software development team ensured that all security requirements were met. The E2E Network operates via a secure connection, without access to the internet, social media, or common messaging platforms. Security protocols restrict inmates from using any internet-based programs that might lead to illicit activities. All communications are strictly monitored by approved staff members and confined to the internal database, ensuring a secure environment while providing essential skills and resources for successful reentry. Reentry education programs face the challenge of ensuring educational and digital materials do not interfere with prison security protocols but with innovative approaches and strategies, they can effectively provide inmates with the technology to learn the necessary skills and knowledge for successful reintegration into society.

Myth: Employers cannot protect themselves from potential losses when hiring justice-impacted individuals.

Programs like the Federal Bonding Program established by the U.S Department of Labor in 1966 provide insurance to employers, protecting them from potential losses due to employee dishonesty. Thousands of employers across the country have integrated the Federal Bonding Program into their hiring practices with over 56,500 job placements made for at-risk job seekers who were automatically made bondable. This program offers a safety net, encouraging employers to give second chances without the fear of financial risk. The program not only helps employers, but it helps individuals gain employment and allows them to demonstrate honesty. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) offers another layer of support. This tax credit provides financial incentives to employers who hire individuals from certain target groups, including those with felony convictions. These federal programs help reduce risks for employers and promote inclusive hiring.

The Impact of Successful Reentry

Boosting Local Economies

Providing justice-impacted individuals with the opportunity to earn a living stimulates the local economy. When justice-impacted individuals become taxpayers and consumers, they fuel growth and stability back into their communities. On February 3, 2025, the Second Chance Business Coalition (SCBC) announced milestones in advancing second chance employment. Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase and co-chair of the SCBC, stated, “By tapping into the potential of individuals with criminal records, we are addressing workforce shortages and strengthening our economy.” The importance of these efforts is further emphasized by the fact that an overwhelming 85% of employers report that second-chance employees preform as well as, or even better than, those without criminal backgrounds. This highlights the value and reliability of hiring justice-impacted individuals, supporting economic growth and stability.

Improved Mental Health and Sense of Purpose

Successful reentry into society provides justice-impacted individuals with a renewed sense of purpose and self-worth. By securing employment, engaging in community activities, and rebuilding relationships, these individuals can experience improvements in their mental health. The opportunity to contribute positively to society and support themselves creates a sense of accomplishment and belonging. This sense of purpose can be a powerful motivator, helping individuals to stay on a positive path and avoid recidivism. In Geographic Solutions’ interview with Augie Ghilarducci, Augie shared his experience of developing social anxiety while serving his time. Upon release, he often felt like an outcast, which made it challenging for him to open up and engage in everyday conversation. The stability and routine provided by employment and community involvement can reduce this stress and social anxiety. Fauso Basso, an individual incarcerated since 2006 with 70 days left in his sentence stated his experience with mental health while using the E2E Network, developed by Geographic Solutions in partnership with CALPIA, “This program is a blessing to have,” said Basso. “It lowers my anxiety to find employment right when I get out … it has given me confidence and self-worth, it’s given me a purpose in my life, being able to show up and work every day. I’m not taking away from society like I used to.” These stories illustrate the impact that successful reentry programs can have on individuals' mental health and wellbeing.

Reduced Recidivism Rates

Reentry programs significantly lower the likelihood of justice-impacted individuals committing new crimes and returning to prison. The proof is in the numbers, in a dissertation presented by the U.S. Department of Justice entitled, “The Impact of Reentry Programs on Recidivism: A Meta-Analysis" found that reentry programs reduce recidivism, on average, by 6%. Geographic Solutions’ partnership with CALPIA on the E2E Network is another example of a reentry program reducing recidivism in the state of California. The E2E network already gives second-chance job seekers exposure to job offers before leaving prison. According to a recent joint study between CALPIA and the University of California, Irvine, CALPIA participants have a return to custody rate of 15% after three years and 85% of all CALPIA participants do not return to prison, saving the State of California millions of dollars annually. These statistics highlight the benefit of reentry programs in reducing recidivism and helping individuals rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.

How VOS REO Makes a Difference

Second Chance Month is an opportunity to support reentry programs and advocate for second chances. By learning about the challenges, misconceptions, and benefits of reentry, we can help justice-impacted individuals reintegrate successfully into society. Learn more about how Geographic Solutions' VOS REO solution is making a difference in the lives of justice-impacted individuals here. Together, let's celebrate the impact and importance of Second Chance Month.

National Second Chance Month: The Impact of Reentry Programs

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 19:45:00 GMT

What is Second Chance Month?
Started in 2017 by the Prison Fellowship, National Second Chance Month is an national observance celebrated in April that aims to raise awareness and support for reentry programs that help reintegrate incarcerated individuals back into society before and after their release. During Second Chance Month, human service organizations, communities, and government agencies across the country come together to shed light on the challenges faced by incarcerated individuals as they reenter society.

The Role of Reentry Programs
Reentry programs play a pivotal role in the process. They provide a range of services designed to address the needs of individuals who are transitioning back into society. These programs offer job training, educational opportunities, housing assistance, counseling, as well as soft and hard skills.

Organizations, such as the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA), have been at the forefront of innovative reentry programs, helping prepare incarcerated individuals for productive lives outside of prison, thus lessening the likelihood of recidivism. The organization offers 128 nationally recognized accreditations, including programs in AutoCAD, computer coding, metal fabrication, optical, dental, underwater welding, and more. Their latest program, Entry to Employment (E2E), aims to connect second-chance employers to CALPIA’s database of skilled and willing workers to help them find a job prior to release.

“We provide meaningful job skills and training to approximately 5,700 incarcerated individuals with the ultimate goal that they never return to prison,” said Bill Davidson, CALPIA’s General Manager. “Our programs are helping to reduce recidivism while also improving conditions in prison and providing greater public safety, along with saving taxpayer money.”

Reducing Recidivism

In 2022, the Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that almost 448,400 incarcerated people were released from state and federal correctional facilities. Unfortunately, a majority of these individuals are likely to be rearrested within 10 years of their release, according to an earlier study conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice. However, there is hope in reducing the rate of recidivism by providing these individuals with the necessary tools, skills, and resources through reentry programs such as those spearheaded by CALPIA.

Breaking the cycle of recidivism requires addressing common barriers such as lack of education or life skills, unemployment, substance abuse, and mental health issues. However, it's important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to reentry. While providing personalized plans that cater to individuals' unique needs can greatly increase their chances of success, it can be challenging due to limited staffing, funding, and resources in many organizations and government agencies.

Despite these challenges and limitations, reentry programs and services, such as those offered by CALPIA, are making a difference in the lives of individuals by providing them with stability and opportunities. In fact, a recent study from the University of California, Irvine found that incarcerated individuals who participated in CALPIA’s programs have lower rates of rearrests, reconvictions, and reincarcerations compared to those who did not participate in CALPIA.

What’s Next?
National Second Chance Month serves as a reminder that everyone deserves an opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society. Through the implementation of effective reentry programs, we can create a more inclusive and supportive community for all individuals, regardless of their past mistakes. Together, we can create a society that believes in second chances and provides the necessary support for successful reintegration.

WATCH: Rebuilding After Reentry: Financial Literacy Provides a Second Chance at Employment Readiness

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 20:56:13 GMT

Did you know out of the 600,000 Americans that are released from prison each year, two-thirds are rearrested within three years? Building awareness and preparing the incarcerated population for reentry is monumental in reducing recidivism rates. Spearheaded by Prison Fellowship in 2017, April is deemed Second Chance Month. Its purpose is to raise awareness of barriers to reentry and focuses on making the most of the second chance they have been given in life.

In honor of Second Chance Month, we sat down with Augie Ghilarducci, President, and COO of 2nd Opportunity. Augie knows firsthand what it’s like to be given a second chance - he was incarcerated himself for 13 years. Throughout his sentence, he realized the need for education and resources within the federal prison system and developed various reentry and employment readiness programs to help his fellow inmates. When he was released, Augie transformed this idea into what 2nd Opportunity is today. The organization aims to empower those dealing with incarceration, addiction and, trauma through courses designed to teach them employment readiness, financial literacy, and more as they take advantage of their second chance.

During the interview, Augie reflects on what it was like for him personally to reenter society after his incarceration and the skills, knowledge, and emotions he struggled with - upon release, Augie had never touched a smartphone and didn’t know what LinkedIn was. He discusses how he took this experience and shaped it into a helpful program to help inmates have a better experience when released. He also mentions how most reentry programs or tips are focused solely on finding a job but, the recently released need more help in terms of financial literacy, soft skills, etc. Often times, these skills are needed before being released and certainly before searching for a job.

Watch the full interview with Augie Ghilarducci:

A Fair Chance at Reentry: The Case for Employers to Consider Second Chance Hiring Practices

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 12:44:00 GMT

A record of involvement with the criminal justice system in the United States can pose significant barriers to employment, housing, education, and other things necessary for a productive, stable life. It also carries a widespread social stigma. All of this contributes to a ‘second prison,’ essentially sentencing affected individuals and their families to a life of poverty, and creating favorable conditions for the individual to return to criminal activity. And in some cases, these instances of recidivism trickle into the next generation.

Justice-involved individuals who establish employment and self-sufficiency are less likely to recidivate. According to research published by the National Association of Counties, employment has a positive effect on individuals released from incarceration by providing a source of income, transferable skills and experience, a defined routine, and a stable environment. It also creates a stronger bond for individuals within their communities.

More Common Than You Think

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans has some sort of criminal record – obviously to varying degrees of severity – all of which carry a certain level of stigma. Approximately 600,000 inmates are released from state and federal prisons each year, with millions more from county jails. It is in the best interest of the United States to provide these people with a fair chance at obtaining the employment for which they are best qualified — both for public safety and for the fiscal health of the nation.

Collectively, state governments spend billions annually to house and provide for inmate populations, averaging an annual cost of $25,000 to $30,000 per individual. The average cost of incarceration for a federal inmate is $39,158. Combined with the loss of revenue due to these individuals not earning income on which they pay taxes, the financial strain becomes apparent, and the need for a fair chance to reenter the labor market is clear.

What’s Being Done

The Second Chance Act was signed into law in 2008 to provide federal grants in support of government and nonprofit programs geared towards reducing instances of recidivism and improving the reentry experience for justice-involved individuals. And, the more recent addition of Fair Chance laws enacted at the municipal, county, or state level further these efforts by levelling the playing field for applicants.

To date, 37 states, including California, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania, and approx. 150 cities and counties across the United States have adopted Fair Chance or ‘Ban The Box’ policies that stipulate the removal of conviction and arrest history questions from job applications. The policies also delay background checks until later in the hiring process. Policies of this nature oblige employers to consider an applicant’s qualifications without the stigma of a conviction on record.

The National Employment Law Project highlighted a study that shows hiring discrimination is likely to occur during the application review, and the negative effect of carrying a criminal record was reduced by almost 15 percent when the employer experienced personal contact with the justice-involved applicant. In a 2021 Literature Review from the Sol Price Center for Social Innovation at the University of Southern California, the authors found that Fair Chance hiring laws have been successful in increasing the number of justice-involved new hires by reducing criminal stigmatization from the initial recruiting process.

Benefits For Everyone

The individual isn’t the only one to benefit from second chance hiring practices. Data company Evolv calculates that justice-involved individuals are 1 to 1.5 percent more productive than employees without the same kind of history; and a 2018 study from the IZA Journal of Labor Policy found second chance hires have a longer tenure and are less likely to quit their job. The Second Chance Business Coalition reports that 82 percent of managers and 67 percent of HR professionals value what second chance employees bring to their organization -- as high as, or higher than, that of workers without records.

Employers are discovering a previously ignored pool of qualified talent by offering opportunities to those with a record. In 2012, CEO of Red Restaurant Group Brad Friedlander said, “In my experience, people with criminal records are often model employees. They are frequently the most dedicated and conscientious. A lot of doors are shut to them, so when someone gives them an opportunity, they make the most of it.”

Marking April as Second Chance Month

In 2017, Prison Fellowship, the nation's largest nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, and an advocate for justice reform, founded Second Chance Month® in an effort to raise awareness, improve perceptions of people with a criminal record, foster second-chance opportunities, and drive momentum for policy change.

To further support second chance hiring practices and provide a secure way for justice-involved individuals to engage in job search activity, Geographic Solutions developed Virtual OneStop Reentry Employment Opportunities (Virtual OneStop REO® or VOS REO). This system offers a secure environment for pre-parole individuals to line up employment prior to release, as well as make use of resources key to establishing stability in their lives. VOS REO also highlights employers and jobs that are identified as ‘offender-friendly’ and second-chance jobs. The system also seamlessly transitions the individual’s account, resource registration, and job search history to the state's workforce system.

If you would like to learn more regarding the unique features offered by this one-of-a-kind solution, please visit our VOS REO webpage.