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California's Prison Education System Is Yielding Impressive Results

Ben Paynter

March 26, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, California

A California nonprofit's report found that incarcerated students in a Cal State Communications class achieved a consistently higher GPA than their un-incarcerated peers. Journalist Ben Paynter explores whether California may offer "the national model for prison system educational reform." As of 2017, 34 out of the state’s 35 prisons offer inmates in-person college classes in lieu of the more typical remote GED certification or technical training courses.

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Montgomery's Renascence gives men on parole a chance for rebirth

Marty Roney

March 02, 2018 |

The Montgomery Advertiser |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Montgomery, Alabama

In Montgomery, Ala., a transitional program offers former inmates a place to live and support while they focus on staying clean and finding work. Officials say programs like this play a key role in reducing recidivism by addressing obstacles like learning to live again in society and making decisions, establishing a support network and basic things like getting a bank account and drivers license. It offers former inmates new paths that can help them avoid falling back into old ways and re-offending.

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Can religion solve El Salvador's gang problem?

Sarah Esther Maslin

March 01, 2018 |

The Economist |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: El Salvador, San Salvador

For many in El Salvador, finding religion can mean finding a way out of violent gang life. The country has become one of the most violent in the world following the civil war in the 1980s that drove refugees to the U.S., where their children formed gangs and then brought them back home when they were deported. Pentecostalist churches founded by former gang members have often stepped in where civil institutions have failed, offering a sense of belonging and sometimes jobs to those who want to leave gang life, but their longterm success in rehabilitation remains unclear.

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This Anti-Violence Program Has Been Proven to Cut Crime. Can It Work in Baltimore?

J. Brian Charles

February 21, 2018 |

Governing |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Massachusetts

Massachusetts' Roca program uses five sites in the state to teach young men in their late teens and early 20s coping strategies to solve personal problems and change their behavior. The program targets men with previous criminal problems who actively resist other services and therapy, and who are deemed at high risk of violence. More than 80 percent of its graduates, who number more than 850 per year, have no new arrests, and two-thirds hold jobs six months after finishing the program. Seeing this success, Baltimore has committed $17 million in private and public funds to open a Roca chapter.

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PASCEP workshop teaches life skills after incarceration

Ayooluwa Ariyo

February 13, 2018 |

The Temple News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Philadelphia, a former attorney who was incarcerated for embezzlement founded the National Workforce Opportunity Network. The program has partnered with Temple University to provide services and job training for the recently incarcerated.

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Giving Building Materials and Ex-Inmates a Second Chance in Baltimore

Johnny Magdaleno

January 13, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

Ex-offenders who get re-entry training and job opportunities are significantly less likely to wind up back in jail. A manufacturer called Brick + Board in east Baltimore hires employees with histories of incarceration. The company helps ex-offenders while also giving construction materials a second life in new projects.

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Lifting Up Community Voices to Tackle Injustice

Jean Trounstine

December 26, 2017 |

Truthout |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Richmond, Virginia

This article uses the stories of five different activist women across the United States as examples of successes using the human-centered design strategy of centering the people most directly affected in the decision-making and healing process. The women work in a variety of justice areas (from housing equity to incarceration), but they all testify to a community justice model as being the most effective and empowering solution to past and current injustices.

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Redina's story: A mother's troubled journey home from prison

Katie Colaneri

November 27, 2017 |

WHYY |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

For Redina, and others suffering from addiction, it is hard to break the cycle. 'Women Working for a Change' is a program that tries to change addicts' thinking in order to prevent a relapse.

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Lessons learned: Hiring ex-offenders pays off, but the workers need help

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 27, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

How do you find a job when you get out of prison? For some, it’s almost impossible. But, UpLift Solutions trains former offenders, and if they pass the six week course, they get hired at ShopRite, a grocery store. For some, the program is life changing.

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Mental health court could lower recidivism, cut costs

Carlos Andres López

November 27, 2017 |

NMPolitics.net |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Las Cruces, New Mexico

For offenders with a co-occurring mental health disorder, the regular prison system is not viewed as an optimal environment. A mental health court would help lower recidivism and increase the offender's quality of life by treating their mental health issues in order to focus on the underlying issue contributing to the criminal acts.

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