The document outlines a green entrepreneur program for inmates, ex-offenders, and at-risk young adults. The program emphasizes the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. It describes several green programs managed and successful reentry initiatives through entrepreneurship. It also summarizes studies on incarceration rates and the potential for entrepreneurship to facilitate reentry. Overall, the document promotes entrepreneurship training and green business opportunities as a strategy for reducing recidivism.
APM Welcome, APM North West Network Conference, Synergies Across Sectors
National Symposium on Sustainable Corrections - October 31 2012
1. GREEN ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM
FOR INMATES, EX-OFFENDERS &
AT-RISK YOUNG ADULTS
National Symposium on
Greening Corrections
Bobby Clark, President
Sustainable Business Ventures
October 2012
Copyright 2012, Sustainable Business Ventures, Lexington, KY
2. Our entrepreneur curriculum emphasizes the concept
of Triple Bottom Line, which addresses people,
planet and profit:
1. the impact or bottom-line of a business has on
society and the community (people);
2. the impact or economic bottom-line on the
environment (planet); and
3. every organization must focus on the economic
bottom-line (profit).
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3. Green Programs Managed
► Bluegrass
Goes Green – Bluegrass Area
Development District
► Green Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute
(GEL-IN) - Lincoln Trail Area Development
District
► Green Entrepreneur Program - Bluegrass
Area Development District
► Green Entrepreneur Program - Southeastern
Correctional Institution, Lancaster OH
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4. Successful re-entry through
Entrepreneurship
► For
some ex-offenders,
entrepreneurship
offers new
opportunities for
successful reentry (video)
► Reducing
recidivism and empowering exoffenders to start their own businesses to
create their own jobs is a great strategy that
is being well received across the US.
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5. PEW Center Study
In the March 2009, the
PEW Center’s, One in 31,
the Long Reach of
American Corrections
“The laws passed in 80s &
90s increased incarcerated
pop. reached 2.3 million
& 1 in 100 adults was in prison or jail.”
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6. PRI Report
► Venturing
Beyond the
Gates: Facilitating
Successful Reentry with
Entrepreneurship
► “Entrepreneurship
has
emerged as a viable
alternative to traditional
employment opportunities
for disadvantaged and
marginalized individuals all
over the world.
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7. PRI Report
While researchers
agree that
self-employment
may not be a
viable option for
many individuals
leaving prison, the mere fact of the exposure
to entrepreneurship training can factor in
successful reentry to the community.
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8. PRI Report
► “For
many, because
► entrepreneurial
► thinking is infused
► with the philosophy
► of empowerment,
► exposure to
► entrepreneurial training will reshape their
perspective on their role in society.
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11. 8 Day Green Entrepreneur
Course Outline
1. Entrepreneurship 101: Introduction Life Skills,
and Personal Finances
► 2. Entrepreneurship 201
► 3. Green Practices and Environmental Issues
► 4. Expanding Triple Bottom Line Business Ideas
► 5. Business Plan Orientation and Financials
► 6. Introduction to Business Operations, Legal, and
Human Resources
► 7. Business Plan Technical Assistance
► 8. Business Plan Technical Assistance / Business
Plan Competition
►
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12. SCI Business Plans
► HVAC
Repair
► Green Cleaning
Service
► Military Parts Supplier
► GPS Chips for Kid
Clothing
► Pick up Meals Service
► Technology Repair
and Design Service
► Auto Repair
► Liquidation
Service
► Urban Garden
Service
► Cosmetology & Hair
Care
► Greeting Cards
► Bakery
► Clothes Tailoring
Service
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16. PEP Facts
►
Headquarters: Houston
►
Offices: Houston & Dallas
►
Prison: Cleveland Correctional
Center
(GEO)
►
Staff: 18
►
Volunteers: > 600 / year
►
Budget: $1.5 mm (80% for Programs)
►
Funding: 95% Private and 5% Earned
Income
►
Annual Audits
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17. Program Services & Results
►
Reintegration: Community of accountability and encouragement
►
Transitional Housing
►
Business Services
Entrepreneurship School (eSchool) & Executive mentoring
Access to financing
Employment (last 24 months)
Average days to employment: 26
100% employed within 90 days of release
Average wage: $9.50
Business Formation (since inception)
Businesses started: 82 Active today: 52
PEP Recidivism under 5%
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18. Direct Benefits to Texans
►
Texans save over $5 million on each
group of 150 PEP released graduates
Represents
over 300% ROI in PEP
570 released graduates earn approx. $14
million per year in wages, spending an est.
$9 million per year in local economies
Released grads generate almost $4 million
per year in payroll, sales and income taxes
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20. Making the Case with
Correctional Programs
► “Green”
business and jobs are relevant
to prisoner reentry
► that IDAs are important tools for
personal investment in reentry
► that “green” training and IDAs
complement existing training and
counseling programs
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21. Relevance of “Green” to
Prisoner Reentry
► Low-
and moderate-technology/skill
job and business opportunities
► Apprenticeship programs
complemented with ‘green’ training
and certification
► Growth of prison industries prepares
ex-offenders for start-up business and
job opportunities
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22. Relevance of ‘Green’ to Prisoner
Reentry: Low & Moderate Skills in
Each Sector
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23. Examples of Low & Moderate
Skill ‘Green’ Jobs and
Businesses
► Weatherization
► Building
retrofit component parts
► Manufacturing
► Landscaping
► Solar panel assembly and installation
► Plumbing & electrical helpers and
apprentices
► Cleaning business using environmentally
friendly products
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24. Relevance of ‘Green’ Component
of Business Model to Prisoner
Reentry
• Job training and business planning can start
in prison (classroom & actual work)
• Apprenticeship programs can be
complemented with ‘green’ training and
certification
• Community-based transition programs can
align with workforce development programs
• ‘Green’ job growth faster than other jobs
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25. American Correctional
Association Adoption of ‘Green’
Standard:
August 1, 2010
► Standard:
The program shall
demonstrate that it has examined, and
implemented, where appropriate,
strategies that promote recycling, energy
and water conservation, pollution
reduction and utilization of renewable
energy alternatives.
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26. Green Job Skills Training Examples
Skills training for growing organic vegetables
grown and reduces the cost of purchases for
food in the prison
► Inmates are taught benefits of composting
and Vermiculture (worms) – reduces disposal
costs
► Bicycle repair program donates bikes to lowincome children in the community
► Solar panel installation – cleaning &
maintenance
► Cleaning prisons using environmentally
friendly cleaning products (growing public
consciousness for home & business)
► Training on Hydroponics/Aquaculture and
Aquaponics (growing vegetables and shrimp) 26
►
27. RecycleForce
RecycleForce Columbus is a social enterprise with the
two-fold mission of recycling end-of-life electronics
and providing employment for persons reentering the
community from prison based in Ohio
(www.recycleforcecolumbus.org).
Mission:
“Providing a pathway for formerly incarcerated men
and women to successfully re-integrate into the
workforce and become responsible, tax-paying,
productive community members & citizens through
comprehensive environmentally sound and secure
end-of-life electronics processing.”
28. More information
Bobby Clark, President
Sustainable Business Ventures
PO Box 1367
Lexington, KY 40588-1367
859-227-0263
www.sbventures.org
sbvclark@gmail.com
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