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California's overhaul of prison education programs a blueprint for others

Wayne D'Orio

July 12, 2019 |

The Hechinger Report |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

In the six years after California prisons became the first in the nation to offer college classes in nearly every prison, thousands of incarcerated people have enrolled in classes and have outperformed free-world students in grades and passing rates. While such programs have been shown to reduce crimes committed by those released from prison, the ultimate goal of California’s program is to see the benefits ripple through communities that the formerly incarcerated go home to.

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What if Fort Worth hired ex-convicts to fight violent crime? It's working elsewhere

Nichole Manna

June 24, 2019 |

Fort Worth Star-Telegram |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Richmond, California

Within a year of founding its Office of Neighborhood Safety to prevent gun violence, Richmond saw its most violent neighborhood drop from 27 murders to three. The program pairs former gang members and formerly incarcerated men with people deemed at risk of shooting others or getting shot. The mentors are paid a salary by the city, and the program "fellows" get paid a stipend if they stay out of trouble and respond well to the program's life-skills counseling. The program expanded citywide and to other cities, based on its record of keeping fellows alive and shootings in decline.

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Hope For Prisoners Teams Up With Las Vegas Cops to Help Ex-Offenders

Jake Bullinger

June 21, 2019 |

Bitterroot |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Las Vegas, Nevada

Hope for Prisoners helps more than 500 people per year adjust to living and working productively after serving sentences in jail or prison, thanks in large part to a team of mentors – many of whom are police officers. In an exercise in developing two-way empathy – formerly incarcerated see police willing to help them, and the police see people with criminal records working to improve themselves – the program tailors its services to people's needs and skills. Since 2010, the program has graduated more than 2,600 people, nearly two-thirds of whom found work and nearly all of whom avoided new arrests.

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For-profit philanthropy: Portland labor supply business expanding to other states

David Singer

June 20, 2019 |

WGME-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Portland, Maine

A company in Portland, Maine works to "dignify temp-work" through the employment of former convicts, addicts, and other individuals in rough transitional phases of life. The company operates as a for-profit business working for social good and facilitates a daily meeting for workers to check in with each other and form a supportive community.

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L.A. Homeless and Ex-Felons Find Second Chance in Skid Row Running Club

Alexis Garcia

June 18, 2019 |

Los Angeleno |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

L.A. Superior Court Judge Craig Mitchell started the Skid Row Running Club, which leads runs every morning with formerly incarcerated addicts. Many of the participants have led successful lives after running, giving credence to the evidence of a linkage between aerobic exercise and a reparation of the parts of the brain that have been damaged by drug and alcohol abuse.

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A Program Gives Jobs To Those Most At Risk For Violence; Can Chicago Afford It?

Patrick Smith

June 06, 2019 |

WBEZ |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

An anti-violence program in Chicago called the Rapid Employment and Development Initiative, or READI, identifies and engages with those most vulnerable to partake or be a victim of gun violence, and provides them with the support they need to avoid it. Born out of a collaboration between the University of Chicago’s Crime and Education Lab and various philanthropical efforts, READI gives participants job counseling and therapy to cope with current and past traumas. While it’s seen demonstrable success, it hopes to expand with the financial support from the city.

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California: Epicenter of Mass Incarceration Reform

Abbie Vansickle Manny Faces

June 04, 2019 |

News Beat |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Stockton, California

Following a Supreme Court mandate requiring California to address prison overcrowding, the state has taken numerous initiatives to reduce sentences, relocate inmates, set higher accountability measures for law enforcement, and allocate more funding for re-entry programs. While these measures have been implemented across the state, the city of Stockton has been a leader after electing the nation’s youngest – and Stockton’s first African American – mayor, Michael Tubbs. Since then, the city has adopted reforms such as universal basic income and mentorship programs and has witnessed a 40% drop in homicides.

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The latest YouTube craze? Videos that show you what it's like to live in prison.

Peter Holley

June 03, 2019 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chesapeake, Virginia

As former inmates face the immense challenge of finding employment post-incarceration, some have turned to YouTube as a way of turning their stories into financial security. With just a handful of prison channels garnering upwards of 2.1 million subscribers, the successful videos give viewers a range of information, including advice on how to survive prison and what their lives have been like after release. Underpinning all of these videos is the desire to have a voice, help others as they try to reintegrate, and humanize the criminal justice system.

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A path to success

Angela K. Evans

May 30, 2019 |

Boulder Weekly |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Boulder, Colorado

In Colorado, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing have partnered to help former incarcerated individuals obtain Medicaid upon re-entry. The partnership allows for data sharing between the two departments to make sure people are leaving correctional facilities with health care in hand, and trains parole officers to help them enroll and use the benefits.

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San Quentin Cooking Class Serves Up Chance for Better Future After Release

Mary Franklin Harvin

May 29, 2019 |

KQED |

Radio |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, San Quentin, California

Quentin Cooks, a culinary program embedded within the San Quentin State Prison, is giving inmates necessary training and support to avoid recidivism and build a career in the food industry. The program teaches culinary skills to help participants – most of whom have just 1-2 years left on their sentence – earn the ServSafe Food Handler certificate. Organizers also do industry outreach to help arrange interviews and promote participants, giving them a leg up on employment after they’re released.

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