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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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Inside a Philadelphia Prison, a Parenting Movement Grows

Christopher Moraff

November 15, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

When a man goes to prison, a child loses their father and this can have detrimental effects. It is especially troubling considering the number of men incarcerated. F.A.C.T is a parenting program that helps teach incarcerated fathers to be better parents while also helping to facilitate their involvement in their children's lives.

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Assisting the Poor to Make Bail Helps Everyone

Tina Rosenberg

November 15, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Organizations that supply funds to provide bail for people arrested for misdemeanors not only saves money for taxpayers, but reduces the number of guilty pleas, and could possibly save lives. Those who cannot pay for bail must either await trial in jail or plead guilty, leading to permanent criminal records. Organizations like the Bronx Freedom Fund supply $2,000 or less to help these individuals keep jobs, housing, and reduce the risk of suicide in jail without requiring them to plead guilty.

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Americans want fewer prisoners. What's art have to do with it?

Julie Zeglen

November 14, 2017 |

Generocity |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

"Songs in the Key of Free" is a program in a Pennsylvania prison brings together inmates to play music and write songs that they perform inside, while professional musicians also play the songs in venues outside prison. The program is just a year old and is based on a successful theater program in California that cut recidivism rates and helped decrease prison infractions. The founders of "Songs in the Key of Free" are creating an album of the work, but after that, future funding is unclear.

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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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Can a Philly community bail fund fix our criminal-justice system?

Samantha Melamed

November 08, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Crowdfunding initiatives in Philadelphia offer an alternative to the cash bail process that disproportionately affects African Americans in problematic ways. “Community bail fund activists” raised almost $60,000 for Black Mama’s Bail-Out Day. Now, they are scaling the effort into a Philly Community Bail Fund to help not just Black mothers, but any of the poor, who are detained and kept away from their families and jobs while they await trial. Other crowdsourcing initiatives are springing up in the city, and all are needed to address the problem.

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In a City Where 15 Percent of Voters Elected the Mayor, Downtown Is Claiming Power

Sara Vigneri

November 06, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Allentown, Pennsylvania

POWER Northeast is trying to fight against voter disenchantment and reach the parts of the community that usually feel excluded and disillusioned by politics. This organization goes all over Allentown, Pennsylvania speaking to the formally incarcerated and minorities, advocating to political leaders on behalf of the public, and helping make voter registration easier.

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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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