News & Insights

In his recently published book, Prisons of Creativity , Dr. John R. Whitman advances a bold thesis: incarcerated individuals are not just inmates—they are untapped creators whose artistic contributions can benefit society at large . Drawing on historical precedent, constitutional law, and programmatic case studies, Dr. Whitman challenges us to reimagine prisons not merely as detention centers, but as incubators of creative value. Creativity During Incarceration: Why It Matte

For justice-involved individuals returning to their communities, the road to stability can be filled with barriers—especially when it comes to employment. A criminal record often limits job opportunities, leading many to feel locked out of traditional career paths. But there’s a growing movement to change that narrative and Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) programs can play a big part. CDL licensing opens the door to a promising, livable-wage career path in the transportatio

Reintegrating into society after a period of incarceration can be a daunting challenge, especially when it comes to securing employment. While fair chance hiring is on the rise, most employers are apprehensive about hiring people with a criminal record. For justice-involved individuals, opportunities to secure meaningful employment with long-term career growth are extremely limited. Systemic barriers to employment have led many justice-involved individuals to pursue busine

What you need to know about mainstream banking services and fintechs, and why you should ultimately consider joining a Credit Union. Formerly incarcerated individuals face significant challenges when it comes to accessing mainstream banking services. Limited access can have a huge impact on economic wellbeing and the ability to achieve sustainable financial independence. More than 600,000 people, the majority of whom are people of color and women, are released from our prison

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) addresses systemic issues in the workplace and industries such as financial services and housing.

Leaving prison should mean having a fresh start, but for many returning citizens it presents a host of new challenges.

First Step Alliance recently spoke with a returning citizen from Pennsylvania to learn more the availability of educational resources...

Last week we joined Eagles Business Networking (EBN) at its virtual Business Focus Session with local entrepreneurs. EBN is a New Jersey...

When it comes to women and money, the news can be gloomy. We live longer, we earn less, and are less secure in retirement; but the news...

The First Step Act is a criminal justice law designed to remedy some of the systemic issues in the American federal prison system. This...

Some Facts About Identity Theft: According to FBI Internet Crime Report, identity theft victims lost $160,305,789 in 2019. Only 3 in 5...

Kids and Money by the Numbers: 66% of parents give allowances 52% of parents think allowances should be tied to chores The annual...

Take these steps to avoid a crash course on repairing your stolen identity! 5 Tips for College Students to Prevent Identity Theft If...

Start saving today so you and your kids don't end up with a mountain of student loan debt. Making College Affordable The cost of a...