Why prison business programs matter

Photo credit: Alexandre Vanier.

The repercussions of going to jail extend beyond just the serving time, as many who are released find difficulty reintegrating back into society. The concomitant high recidivism rate in most countries has been attributed to a number of factors, with one being the lack of employment opportunities. In fact, those unable to gain employment were three to five times more likely to offend.

The inability to secure a job is normally the result of one of societal bias against ex-offenders and/or the lack of relevant employment skills.

However, this is not to say societal reintegration is a lost cause—far from it. There are plenty of individuals who, upon release, have reinvented themselves through their business.

Notable names include Frank Abagnale, who currently runs his fraud-prevention consultancy; Coss Marte, founder of ConBody which brings in 400 clients each week; and closer to home, we have Benny Se Teo who runs 18 chefs, a restaurant, among other former convicts who have become successful entrepreneurs.

In fact, studies have shown a stronger correlation between offenders and entrepreneurs than the public and entrepreneurs. One study titled “An examination of the power of the dark side of entrepreneurship” in 2006 by F. Lockwood, et al. was based on the Myers-Briggs personality test. It found similarities on measures of entrepreneurial drive and innovativeness. It is, therefore, no surprise that self-employment has been proposed as a tool to overcome the extenuating factors for re-offending.

Some prison business programs

It’s been argued that self-employment dilutes the stigma of their criminal records and thus, reduces a major obstacle for them. These findings have not gone unnoticed with several entrepreneurship programs currently being offered:

Texas Prison Entrepreneurship Program (USA)

Selected individuals will be given guidance on running a business through various workshops on business planning and leadership development. Local business executives and successful alumni of the program will serve as mentors to assist the participants in launching their businesses. The winner of the program wins US$150,000 in seed funding.

Graduates of the year-long program will be presented with a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from Baylor University in Texas, and offered accommodations in PEP’s five transition homes.

Results:

• Recidivism rate of less than 7 percent over three years (national average is 70 percent)
• A 70 to 80 percent improvement compared to existing models
• Outperformed nine other rehabilitation program in Texas

Inmates to Entrepreneurs (USA)

Support is given through online resources, educational seminars, and chapters to participate in engaging and exchanging ideas. The duration of the program is flexible.