A panel of local justice-impacted people who have found success after release from incarceration added to the support and information provided to all those in attendance at Martin University. Keynote speakers Keidrain Brewster and. Tanaine Jenkins were highlights at the event sharing their experiences and advice for anyone seeking a better life. Our thanks to Trusted Mentors for leading the effort and all other partners in putting this effort together. Pictured: The Expo Crowd.

A JOB, A BETTER JOB, A CAREER:

2nd Chance Indiana's Scott Whiting Teaches The ABCs Of Advancement

Indiana State Organizer for REFORM Alliance and Adjunct Professor at University of Indianapolis, Maranda Williams, invited 2nd Chance Indiana's Scott Whiting to speak to her Custody and Treatment class about the ways we help reentrants to become successful after incarceration. His message included the ABC steps reentrants take to grow their employment profile by acquiring A job soon after release, then moving up to a Better job, with better pay and more responsibility, and finally, to find that sweet spot of a Career, in a position that fits the person's preferences, skills, and abilities.

Over the past fourteen weeks, these Criminal Justice Major (CRIM) students have been learning about theories and practices involved in custody and treatment of incarcerated individuals, barriers to reentry, and the community’s involvement in the reentry process. Said Scott, “I found the students to be inquisitive, engaged, and motivated, giving me a big dose of hope for the future!” Pictured: Scott Whiting and the CRIM students. Check out REFORM Alliance, and University of Indianapolis Criminal Justice.

Netflix's "UNLOCKED" Is Informative & Ground-Breaking: Don't Miss it!

The show follows the strengths, weaknesses and reactions of 46 Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility (Arkansas) inmates as a local sheriff, Eric Higgins, initiates a six week experiment to answer the question, "How do we make the facility safer, and what can we do to still hold (inmates) accountable, but empower them at the same time?” It's top rated. See the trailer Here!

CONCERN FOR EMPLOYEES:

Unskilled Employees Are Welcome At Fastenal

On Guion Road in Indianapolis’ west side stands the Fastenal building, a massive facility that is a general industrial supplier of all kinds of products, including fasteners, safety products and so much more. Recently, 2CI’s Scott Whiting and Tyler Carlson met with Bobbi Miller, Fastenal’s Human Resource Manager, to forge a closer collaboration with the company aimed at employing reentrants. Fastenal needs unskilled as well as skilled employees and has maintained a policy of not (even) performing background checks on job applicants. Reentrants will be able to apply online for open positions in a company that looks to the future instead of at a person’s past. 

Operations manager, Nick Schaeffer, provided a tour of the plant, impressing Scott and Tyler with the level of concern the company displays for its employees. They discussed potential recruitment strategies and were happy to hear that reentrants will be seeing Fastenal at upcoming job fairs.  

Pictured (LtoR) Fastenal’s Bobbi Miller, Human Resources; Alex Hill, Warehouseman; Nick Shaffer, Operations; and 2nd Chance Indiana’s Employer Relations Manager,Tyler Carlson. Scott Whiting, 2CI V.P., not pictured.



TRUSTED MENTORS EXPANDING ITS REACH:

2nd Chance Indiana and Trusted Mentors Double Down for Focused Results

Although 2nd Chance Indiana has been working with Trusted Mentors for a year, together the organizations have begun to form some big plans that have a more focused impact for the success of reentrants in Indiana. For inmates who take 2nd Chance Indiana’s career-focused job training courses or similar training, Trusted Mentors will provide mentors to walk beside them during reentry. Their mentorship will add a powerful tool in our efforts at reducing recidivism, offering those who have been incarcerated a vital support system that significantly improves the chances of successful reintegration into society as it reduces recidivism. That’s the goal. Better lives for Hoosier families! Pictured: Costeena Weathersby, Executive Director of Trusted Mentors with Jim Cotterill, 2nd Chance Indiana Founder and President, at a Trusted Mentors event. (Hence the crown!)

ABANDONED BEHIND BARS?

Inmates Without Family Or Money, Face A Hard Road

Someone once said “when you have no money, you need luck” and without the support of family to visit, write, and provide some money, a person in jail or prison, is truly alone and vulnerable.

In fact, the lack of family support has a profound impact on an inmate’s mental health and often experience greater depression, anxiety, and feelings of abandonment, while those with regular outside contact not only adjust better to incarceration, they have lower recidivism rates. 

It can get tougher for the lonely inmate after release. With limited resources and no family to take them in, they must find housing, which is hard to get without a down payment of some kind, or at least a job that promises an income in the near future. For many, the transition, with all its demands is too difficult. Read More Here! 

A MUST-HAVE FOR INDIANA:

Case Studies In Other States Find Van Transportation To Benefit Employers and Reentrants Alike

One of the biggest challenges second-chance employees face after release is transportation. Many do not have a reliable way to get to and from work, and too often they loose their jobs because of absenteeism. Lack of reliable transportation is perhaps the major barrier to continued employment. But, van transportation programs can bridge this gap, and in some states it is providing reliable, cost-effective transportation to work for reentrants—especially in areas where public transit is not available.

A case study in Nebraska, supplying transportation back and forth to work for reentrants, reported consistent attendance, and reduced turnover. Another case study from Montana, found that van transportation resulted in dependable attendance, maintained employment, and reduced recidivism.

Here in Indiana, the shortage of workers continues, and looking ahead at the large plants scheduled to be built here, it's time to seriously consider the large pool of potential employees that want a better life after incarceration. We just need to get them to the job for a while. For more information, click HERE.