• There is an untapped talent pipeline of about 19 million Americans with felony records.

• Social Good Meets Good Business - Two out of three people released from prison return within three years without meaningful employment.

• Recidivism for Minnesota’s 10,000 inmates costs taxpayers more than $50,000 per inmate each year.

• The Second Chance Business Coalition found that 85% of HR and 81% of business leaders say that individuals with criminal records perform the same as or better than employees without criminal records.

• Unemployment rates are currently low in the state of Minnesota.

• Employers are struggling to fill open positions

• Federal Tax Credit - The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit available to all private sector businesses as an incentive to employers to hire workers in certain groups who consistently experience high rates of unemployment. The tax credit allows employers to reduce their federal tax liability by up to $9,600 per new hire.

• Fidelity Bonding is a no-cost employee dishonesty insurance that protects employers against theft of money or property. The Minnesota Federal Bonding Service provides individual Fidelity Bonds to employers for new or current employees who may be denied coverage by commercial bond carriers.

Our model, developed by former inmates, can achieve that goal. It’s a unique and collaborative approach, working with inmates, mentors, employers, nonprofits, and government agencies to build trust during incarceration that continues after release.

While still incarcerated inmates are screened to be part of our Virtues for Success Program.

Virtues for Success is a rigorous 14-week academic study of Wisdom, Courage, Self-control, and Justice. Inmates cultivate good character and integrity. A course far greater than what is right and what is wrong.

TRP is matching our students with a Life Mentor and an Employment Mentor.

A Life Mentor will encourage and assist with tasks such as:

• Getting correct and current documentation to be employed. Driver’s license, Social Security Card, Birth Certificate.

• Assist with connecting to resources for stable housing and or addiction services.

• Guide them through financial literacy, applying for a credit card, a car loan etc.

• Answer any questions they may have about anything - truly there to support the student and help them be successful upon release and not be a recidivism statistic.

While in prison a person makes approximately 3,600 decisions a day and when on the outside there are about 36,000 daily decisions. It can be overwhelming. A Life Mentor can help.

An Employment Mentor will do the following:

• Start to communicate with their fellow approximately 9 months before release. This communication can be done by email, phone, or in person. They can be monthly every other week, weekly, or whatever fits your schedule.

• Approximately 3 months before the release date the Employment Partner would offer their mentee a job. They would then agree upon a start date.

• Be available at work to answer questions. A person who can answer any work question that comes up or a company question.

You want to become an Employment Partner – Now What?

Below is a list of the next steps in pursuing second chance hiring as an Employment Partner with The Redemption Project.

• Meet with a member of The Redemption Project team. Learn more about our program.

• Read the book Untapped Talent, by Jeff Korzenik – We can have copies sent to you and those who are decision makers at your company.

• Start a dialogue and gain approval and buy-in from the top down. Involve C Suite, legal, and the managers of the departments that have openings.

• Discussion with direct manager, and co-workers about having a second chance co-worker.

• Complete our online Employment Partner Guide.

• Complete our online Employer Application.

• Sign and return the Memorandum of Understanding – TRP will email this to you.

• Provide The Redemption Project with job descriptions, benefits information, and salary details.

• Have designated Employment Mentor(s) meet with TRP for training and discussion of expectations.

• Discovery meeting with the TRP team. Answer any questions that may come up.

Common Questions - FAQ

When will I be matched with a student/Fellow? - We start the Virtues for Success program about 12 months before they are to be released. Once they graduate from the class, we match them with an employment mentor which is about 9 months prior to their release date.

What is the time commitment for the employment mentor? - This can vary. We would recommend a once-a-month minimum interaction in the beginning and more frequently as it gets closer to their release date.

Do I call my student/Fellow or email them or go see them in person? - This can be whatever works best for you and your schedule. We would like you to go to meet them in person one time before they are released.

When do I offer them the job? – Ideally after about 6 months of interaction we would hope you could make the decision on whether you feel this Fellow is a good fit for your company.

What are the biggest misconceptions about Second chance hiring?

• Second chance hiring is not charity.

• Second chance hiring is not a source for cheap labor.

• Second chance hiring is not a person you treat differently than other employees.

• Second chance hiring offers you a hard working dedicated and loyal employee!

Additional Resources

The Redemption Project Employment Partner team is always available to answer questions. Below are additional resources for you to explore.

Second Chance Hiring Panel Video. Why Second Chance Hiring is good for business and the community.

• Dwight Tostesen - CEO of The Redemption Project

• Jeffrey Korzenik - Author of the book, Untapped Talent

• Paul Schnell - Commission of the Minnesota Department of Corrections

• Odell Wilson - Supervising U.S. Probation and Pre-trial Services Officer

Twin Cities Rise Hiring Guide

Dave’s Killer Bread Playbook Video Series

SHRM (Society of Human Resource Managers) – Getting Talent Back to Work Certificate – a FREE 10-hour self-guided curriculum. Certificate | Getting Talent Back to Work

Have Questions?

Email Nate Reisetter: nreisetter@redemptionproject.org