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A Prison Sits Empty. A Nonprofit Moves In

Neil Parmar

November 20, 2017 |

NationSwell |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Laurinburg, North Carolina

Hundreds of prisons sit empty and unused across the United States. Inspired by the potential, GrowingChange was founded to help flip the land into a space where former juvenile offenders could come together for constructive activities like gardening and group counseling, creating a positive space for reform and empowerment that has been helping to break the prison cycle for youth.

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This Vermont program might reduce sex offender recidivism. Could it work in Philly?

Malcolm Burnley

November 16, 2017 |

Generocity |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A program called Circles in Vermont is built on the idea that it takes an entire community to help sex offenders reintegrate back into a community. Circles is also used in other states and countries and creates supportive networks of volunteers who offer a safe place for offenders to discuss their triggers and help them build authentic connections and relationships so they are part of the community rather than pushed to the fringes.

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How ex-offenders get a second chance and a new career in rural Tennessee. Is it a model for Philly?

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 11, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Winchester, Tennessee

In rural Tennessee the unemployment rate can be very high, making it hard for inmates to find jobs upon their release, which then increases the rate of recidivism. The Rural Reentry Program has set up training programs for inmates while in jail in order for them to earn their certification and then find work at a local factory. This effort helps lower recidivism and balances the cost of imprisonment.

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Inside Job: The Gourmet Restaurant in a Colombian Women's Prison

Gabriella Canal

November 08, 2017 |

News Deeply |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Colombia, Cartagena

Time served in prison often means the end of opportunity and hope for the incarcerated, but a special restaurant run from within the San Diego women's prison in Cartagena is working to change that. The women are trained by professional and even celebrity chefs to prepare gourmet dishes - or they can work in the garden or as waitresses - ensuring they have dignity and opportunity on the other side.

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Advice for firms to hire former inmates: Let a partner help

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 02, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

What does a business like IKEA do if they want to hire former prisoners? They listen to a panel of people who have already done it.

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What Philly-area CEOs think about hiring ex-inmates

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 02, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Connecting people coming out of incarceration with employment is crucial to helping them integrate back into society and not return to prison, but employers are often skittish about hiring people with records. Some argue the nature of their work is too sensitive to risk it, especially if employees work with sensitive data or law enforcement agencies. But employers in the Philadelphia metro region who have gone down this path often find it's worth it because the workers tend to be more loyal and stay longer in jobs, making for less turnover.

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When he was 13, he shot her in the face. 20 years later, she helped get him his freedom.

Ally Hirschlag

October 26, 2017 |

Upworthy |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Tampa, Florida

A man convicted to a life sentence for a shooting he took part in at age 13 reached out to the woman he injured from prison and over the years they built a friendship based on forgiveness and trust. She helped him win an appeal for release after 26 years and has been part of his support network as he learns to navigate the world as an adult. Their story offers a great example of the power of forgiveness and building personal connections.

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A prosecutor meets the juvenile lifer he locked up for 40 years - and apologizes

Samantha Melamed

October 26, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A Philadelphia man imprisoned for 40 years for a crime he did not commit was finally freed when the prosecutor who helped put him behind bars realized he made a mistake and worked to get him out. The U.S. Supreme Court found automatic life sentences for juveniles unconstitutional, but despite that and the previous prosecutor's change of heart, Ronald Brinkley has not been exonerated and the current district attorney stands by the case. However, the former prosecutor has offered to help Brinkley as he transitions back to the outside world.

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How a Temple professor and a prison inmate started an international movement

Samantha Melamed

October 23, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In the Inside-Out Exchange program half of the students are college students, and the other half are prison inmates. The program has “expanded to about 150 correctional institutions across the globe” but the biggest takeaway is the effect it has on people. Students were “ engaged in a way they never had been in the classroom. For the inmates, suddenly their opinions mattered.”

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At Philly reentry 'hackathon,' using tech to drive down recidivism

Danielle Fox

October 23, 2017 |

WHYY |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A hackathon in Philadelphia brought together a diverse group of people, including formerly incarcerated individuals, to discuss the complex issue of reentry and come up with tech-based ways to help. The collaboration resulted in four promising projects, with several created to be accessible through text messaging, rather than apps, as many formerly incarcerated individuals lack access to smartphones and wifi.

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