At the public library in Benicia, children and parents value the craftsmanship of San Quentin inmates. SQ’s Furniture Shop recently volunteered its services for the restoration of more than 40 children’s chairs badly in need of repair. “The care and effort which was put into the chairs and the quality of the work was great,” Helaine Bowles, Library Administrative Assistant, recently told the Vallejo Times-Herald. Lacking funds to repair or replace the chairs, the Benicia Public Library heard about SQ’s Wood and Upholstery Shops and contacted … [Read more...] about Repairing a guitar leads to repairing chairs for the community
New employment policies to help hire formerly incarcerated
Music superstar John Legend is using his celebrity status to gather national support for Unlocked Futures, a new foundation aimed at helping formerly incarcerated persons develop into successful entrepreneurs. Legend is already committed to criminal justice reform through his FreeAmerica initiative. He joined forces with other philanthropists to coordinate a $500,000 grant from Bank of America. They used it to launch eight startup ideas from former prisoners and persons impacted by incarceration, according to a Nation Swell article. Too … [Read more...] about New employment policies to help hire formerly incarcerated
SQ parolee serves up more than just coffee in Antioch
Coffee entrepreneur John Krause can relate to the slim employment prospects most ex-cons face upon parole. As a former San Quentin inmate himself, Krause spent over a decade in and out of prison before opening Big House Beans (BHB). Based in Antioch, BHB’s production facility now roasts thousands of pounds of premium gourmet coffee beans per month—supplying restaurants, coffee shops, and tech companies throughout California. But Krause’s business plan goes far beyond simply turning a profit. “I really want to embrace the community to create … [Read more...] about SQ parolee serves up more than just coffee in Antioch
Parolees’ hard transition from stigmatized past
Convicted felons continue to be stigmatized by their criminal past, particularly when they search for legitimate work. But employers are facing a growing, nationwide pressure to change their anti-felon hiring policies. Upon reentry, finding and maintaining employment becomes the main factor that determines an inmate’s success or recidivism. The “ban the box” movement seeks to abolish the yes or no question about felony conviction on standard job applications, according to a recent Inside Sources article. “Any sentence for criminal activity … [Read more...] about Parolees’ hard transition from stigmatized past
Police continue to shoot about 1,000 people a year
987 people were fatally shot by police officers in 2017 Police across the country shot and killed approximately the same number of people in 2017 as they did in each of the previous two years. Because there is no official nationwide tally of fatal police shootings, The Washington Post took charge and has compiled the most accurate accounting of these incidents – 2,945 shooting deaths in all since 2015, with roughly 1,000 each year. According to the Post’s report, 987 people were fatally shot by police officers in 2017. “The numbers indicate … [Read more...] about Police continue to shoot about 1,000 people a year
Two NBA players assist Kaepernick in donating
Colin Kaepernick’s political activism continues to generate momentum and controversy. This January, Steph Curry teamed up with the embattled NFL star to help complete his year-long pledge to contribute $1 million to various charities, including violence prevention organization United Playaz, reported KTVU news. Kaepernick faced fierce criticism in December for visiting prisoners at New York’s Rikers Island facility, according to articles in The Washington Times and New York Daily News. “At a time when jail violence is soaring and assaults … [Read more...] about Two NBA players assist Kaepernick in donating
New research disputes the accuracy of “Risk Assessment”
New research disputes the accuracy, fairness and limits of so-called “risk assessment” tests used by corrections departments to predict an offender’s likelihood to recommit crime. In a January article for Science Advances magazine, analysts revealed the results of two critical studies that debunk the predictive algorithms behind the Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS) in use nationwide since 2000. “Proponents of these systems argue that big data and advanced machine learning make these analyses more … [Read more...] about New research disputes the accuracy of “Risk Assessment”
Unibody turns ex-cons into personal trainers
A successful fitness entrepreneur recently launched his own nonprofit organization to train and prepare ex-convicts for employment as personal trainers in the thriving fitness industry. “I spent 10 years in federal prison and spent most of my time there in the gym,” said Hector Guadalupe, founder of Unibody Fitness. “When I left, I had to decide what to do for my career. I became a certified personal trainer and immediately found employment in a New York City Sports Club.” The unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated people is eight times … [Read more...] about Unibody turns ex-cons into personal trainers
Actor Danny Trejo escaped the death penalty
After facing a possible death penalty, Danny Trejo wove his prison experience and tough-guy persona into a successful movie career. The now well-known actor spoke of how striking a corrections officer in the head with a rock during a prison riot inevitably changed his life, as contained in a Dec. 16 article for LADbible. “I was throwing it at a group of guys, and he happened to be hit,” Trejo said. “So we all had gas chamber offenses, and we were taken to the hole. “I remember saying, ‘God, if you’re there, everything will turn out the way … [Read more...] about Actor Danny Trejo escaped the death penalty
Universities divest from prisons
The societal damage caused by the nation’s mass incarceration problem is now being addressed by many American universities and colleges. Fiscal policies are being rethought, and curriculums are evolving to include dialogue about prison reform. Georgetown University recently made a formal decision to avoid investing in private prison corporations, reported its school newspaper, The Hoya. Arizona State University just hosted an event where an open panel discussed the problem of America’s disproportionate prison population, reported the State … [Read more...] about Universities divest from prisons