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Now he slings ice cream, instead of cocaine; ShopRite finds talent in former drug dealers

Jane M. Von Bergen

March 07, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Most employers might not hire former inmates, but one grocery store in Philadelphia is looking to do just that. Brown Store’s Inc. has made it a company mission to hire people out of prison. Employment is an important factor to keep former inmates from returning to prison.

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Small Town, Big Success With Reentry Program

Johnny Magdaleno

March 06, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New Castle, Pennsylvania

Jail-to-Jobs, a program with one employee, has helped more than 260 formerly incarcerated people find full-time jobs. Created by a district attorney who saw former felons struggling to be considered for openings, the program links local companies with insurance and support in order to promote hiring.

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'To focus on young adults who are in prison is very cutting edge'

Mark Pazniokas

March 05, 2017 |

The Connecticut Mirror |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Connecticut

The state of Connecticut is partnering with the Vera Institute of Justice to creating a new model of incarceration for young people ages 18 to 25. That state has created four integration centers to help inmates transition back to the community and opened a unit for young male prisoners who are mentored by those serving life sentences. They engage in circle-based conversations daily to promote communication and curtail conflict within the correctional center.

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Philadelphia Reentry Coalition wants to solve for the 'severe lack of data on returning citizens'

Tony Abraham

February 21, 2017 |

Generocity |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Two, separate coalitions in Philadelphia, whose aim is to lower recidivism rates, joined into one. Aviva Tevah, the director of the coalition, will have to merge the vision and goals of the 80 plus members. “We set new targets, a new organizational structure and focused on what it would look like to build the infrastructure for deeper collaboration in the future.”

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Mothers in Charge grads exchange prison uniforms for caps and gowns

Maya Earls

February 18, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Tribune |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A program in Philadelphia works with formerly incarcerated women for an intensive 10-week period where they focus on life skills and changing thought patterns. Women get support and mentoring to examine how they wound up in prison, such as addressing past abuse that undermined their self-esteem. They go through a formal graduation program and learn ways to face challenges as they work to change their lives.

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Could this one simple idea stop the revolving door to prison?

Samantha Melamed

February 14, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, “500 men and about 10 women juvenile lifers who have been locked away for decades” will be released due to a recent Supreme Court decision that said it was unconstitutional for judges to strike automatic life-without-parole sentence for juveniles. Unfortunately, recidivism rates show that “ 60 percent of people are locked up again within three years of being released.” However, pairing a former prisoner with a mentor is an old school solution that has been proven to be successful. Studies show “participants who had mentors were twice as likely to find jobs and 39 percent less likely to reci

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Even in Texas, Mass Imprisonment Is Going Out of Style

Tina Rosenberg

February 14, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Texas

In Texas, Mass-Incarceration is becoming a surprising hub of bi-partisan reform. By finding common ground, and brainstorming new solutions and alternatives to mass incarceration, the state has seen a drop in incarceration and crime rates.

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The campaign behind the release of the "Mandela of Latin America"

Priyanka Borpujari

February 07, 2017 |

TRT World |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Oscar López Rivera was a political prisoner for 35 years, 12 of which were in solitary confinement, for his political activism wanting Puerto Rico to be independent of the USA.An international campaign successfully lobbied Obama to commute the sentence, a campaign which included the support of Desmond Tutu, Oscar's brother- Jose, the Puerto Rican community etc.

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I'm FREE, Prisoner Re-Entry Program for Women, Takes a New Approach

Quinn O'Callaghan

January 24, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“Female offenders are the largest-growing prison population.” Key to making sure women don’t return to prison are effective reentry programs like FREE, a program for female offenders. However, FREE isn’t like other programs. It focuses on exploring the root causes that lead woman to commit crimes through a method called “cognitive shifting.”

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Entrepreneurship Provides New Hope for Former Prisoners

Riva Richmond

January 19, 2017 |

The Story Exchange |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

People exiting incarceration often struggle to land jobs. But a growing number of organizations are promoting entrepreneurship as an alternative path to economic stability for former inmates and it's not a big stretch considering that many of these folks know how to hustle, think creatively and are resilient. Last year the U.S. Small Business Administration launched a pilot program with several funders to foster business ownership among former inmates but some programs have been around for years and have impressive track records.

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