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

The United Kingdom, America’s one time rival and longtime ally, bears some similarities to its former colony.

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

Access to transportation represents a significant yet frequently underestimated obstacle for returning citizens. The general challenges of reentry are made even more difficult by unreliable and limited transportation options. This additional barrier heightens vulnerability and contributes to persistent unemployment and homelessness, increasing the risk of recidivism. The ability to secure meaningful employment is already severely restricted for individuals with a criminal rec

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has extended its approval for a new charter application to the Organizing Members of...

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

Today, Norway's prison system has become a model for the rest of the world, and some states in the U.S. are following Norway’s lead.

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

First Step Alliance recently published an eye-opening report on the"Economic Wellbeing of U.S. Adults with Experiences with Incarceration...

Restorative justice is a more empathetic and comprehensive approach to addressing criminal behavior when compared with the traditional model

"One way to lower the U.S. incarceration rate could be to give inmates financial knowledge they need to get by upon reentry." --- Center...