Inmates Bank on Business Program for a New Start
CLEVELAND, Texas — As Christopher Holbert danced down the aisle of a Cleveland Correctional Center classroom, dozens of other prisoners in matching dark blue scrubs flanked him, clapping and cheering in a deafening roar. When he reached the front of the classroom, he spoke for 10 minutes on his business plan for "Adrenaline Indoor Paintball," an idea he has worked on over the last year.
With three investors lined up, he plans to create the company when he returns to the Dallas area. But first he has to finish his three-year sentence for arson.
“I used to be complacent,” Holbert said ...
Comments (11)
Anya Khan
I am glad this excellent program was funded by the private sector. But I am not so sure about removing the liability factor and making the state responsible for crimes former inmates commit while hired by the public sector.
Veronica Villalpando via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Its true. But they need to be given a fair chance. Society needs to make certain the opportunity is available.
Leslie Sapp via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I've been trying to get information on this program on how one would apply for it...any suggestions?
Leesa Monroe via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Since concocted felons cannot get hired this is a food plan. Make taxpayers and consumers out of them.
Paul Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Is a program like this available to the public who are not criminals?
Christie Smith
This is a great program - but WHERE ARE THE WOMEN?? Hello!!! Women are prisoners too, and by gosh, by golly they could also make good business owners! The sexism here is nothing short of break-taking.
Daniel Lopez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
they look like nursing students. lol
Jeremy Gregg via Texas Tribune on Facebook
All -- please consider liking Prison Entrepreneurship Program (Official Page) to learn more!
Leslie Sapp -- PEP receiveds several thousand names from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice whom they deem eligible for PEP (i.e. within 3 years of release, not incarcerated for a sexual crime, not involved in a gang, etc.). We send invitations to this list, and those who reply with interest receive applications.
Paul Martinez -- There are a number of very good organizations out there to support aspiring entrepreneurs. You should contact your local SBA office and ask for information on area microlenders, business development centers, etc.
jeremy gregg
@Christie Smith -- approximately 92% of all inmates in Texas are men. There are over 10,000 men eligible for PEP at any time, and since the organization relies on private donations ... it has a capacity to serve 200-300 per year. It is not sexism that prevents PEP from expanding to serve women.
Christie Smith
@Jeremy:
I"m sure your stats are correct. However, that still doesn't mean that women inmates (stats show nearly 7 in 10 have minor children), couldn't also benefit from this program - and by extension their children.
Phillip Baker
This is an excellent program that finally does something positive and proactive to help prisoners survive after release. And the bills to re-examine the bars to licensure of felons and protecting employers are great starts. (No, it doesn't make the state responsible for new crimes, just shields employers from blame in the hope they will consider hiring) But if we are serious about changing these lives, then it is time to remove all the barriers we have thrown in their way after release. It's time we legally recognize that "felon" covers a whole lot of territory, from hot checks to capital murder. The blanket refusal to hire "felons" makes getting work very hard. You're left with construction, agriculture, and self-employment unless you have some connections outside. And the Texas Apartment Owners Association's standard lease needs to change. Now it bars members from leasing to anyone with a felony criminal record, no matter how long ago, what the actual circumstance were, what the individual story is. Now we make it really hard to find work and a place to live, then gripe about recidivism. The smart thing is to change these barriers.