The Chicago construction company behind the 95th Red Line terminal expansion, FH Paschen, is involved in the CRED (Create Real Economic Destiny) program, which gives ex-offenders stability (like housing and a job) after being incarcerated. FH Paschen works with CRED to provide meaningful career pathways to ex-offenders.
Michael Reed (I can get you his info) is a participant in the program and, after being in jail, now works full-time for Paschen and is putting his new skills to use on the 95th station project. He will not only get real construction experience, but also earn any related construction certificates/credentials that he needs to keep his career momentum going. The program is meant to give people an alternative to what they were used to, facing violence in the streets, by teaching them industry skills they need to take control of their own destiny in a positive way. Check out the attached sheet for more info and interview opportunities. This would make an awesome feature or profile.
* Why is this so important? Well, a few minutes after I received Linze’s e-mail, I got this one from the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council…
The attached report updates the Sentencing Policy Advisory Council’s (SPAC’s) 2015 High Cost of Recidivism report. Similar to regular updating of financial reports on economic activity or investments, this criminal justice update incorporates new trends and improved methodology to provide a more accurate and current picture of the high costs of recidivism in Illinois. The updated report describes the costs, how those costs accumulate over time, and how evidence-based policies and practices can help reduce recidivism such that the benefits outweigh the costs.
Key Findings:
* In 2016, more than 38,477 people were convicted of felonies and 33,074 were convicted of misdemeanors in Illinois.
* Only 11% of the 71,551 total convictions were of individuals with no prior arrests. Roughly 96% of the people admitted to prison eventually return to the community.
* Forty-three percent of those released from prison each year recidivate within three years of release and 17% will recidivate within one year of release.
* Thirty-five percent of those sentenced to probation for felony offenses each year recidivate within three years of sentencing, and 17% will recidivate within one year.
* Thirty-seven percent of those sentenced to probation for misdemeanor offenses each year recidivate within three years of sentencing, and 19% will recidivate within one year.
* The average cost associated with one recidivism event is $151,662. Given current recidivism trends, over the next 5 years recidivism will cost Illinois over $13 billion.
Good for Paschen and good for that young man. I will never forget a young man I represented who tried so incredibly hard to find a job. He would come into court with long lists of places where he had applied, with no luck, because he was on probation for a felony (non-violent) and couldn’t get hired. One day, he came in, and I found myself enveloped in a bear hug as he said, “I’m a working man!” I just wanted to cry, I was so happy for him.
- Union Thug Gramma - Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 5:56 pm:
Great Program. I remember a story of many years ago, it was a documentary, probably on WTTW, about a program in Ohio which was called “Cleveland Works” and although they highlighted many people, the one I remember was the kid that was charged with attempted murder that became, through the program, a law Clerk and was working to become a lawyer.
From one who worked in prisons and saw the ability and intelligence that was housed in that bleak area, this would be a good venture.
More like this please! Sounds like a great program, and this is the sort of thing we need to be investing in. As SPAC’s numbers indicate, about 96% of prisoners will return to the community. We also need to do more on the front end, to help prevent a life-course that ends up with a prison stay. But once a person has been in prison, we all benefit if we help them when they return to a community. And that help actually needs to begin in prison, as we have also discussed.
Those statistics are grim, but the positive example of the individual in the video is very nice to see. Whoever is pushing this, please keep pushing forward and thanks.
I know this struggle all too well. As a former restaurant manager who has a felony it is VERY HARD to find a job now. Even with good references. I don’t know how I am going to pay rent this month. Maybe I should try signing up for this……
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 8:14 pm:
The report comes to the conclusion that criminal justice programs have to be funded to reduce recidivism. So who will be first to pass a bill to fund it?
==As a former restaurant manager who has a felony==
Look into Safer Foundation (http://saferfoundation.org/). If you’re on the North Side of Chicago, you could also try Howard Area Community Center. Both do employment work with formerly incarcerated people.
I am all for reducing recidivism but part of that means significantly increasing funding for community based and prison based treatment on education, addiction recovery, mental health, etc. In addition, that average cost number they are using is grossly exaggerated.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 8:08 am:
==In addition, that average cost number they are using is grossly exaggerated.==
How so? Show your work.
- SameolG - Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 4:58 pm:
SPAC bringing the numbers and expertise. End the drug war invest in job training. Life could be better for countless people.
- JoanP - Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 5:11 pm:
Good for Paschen and good for that young man. I will never forget a young man I represented who tried so incredibly hard to find a job. He would come into court with long lists of places where he had applied, with no luck, because he was on probation for a felony (non-violent) and couldn’t get hired. One day, he came in, and I found myself enveloped in a bear hug as he said, “I’m a working man!” I just wanted to cry, I was so happy for him.
- Union Thug Gramma - Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 5:56 pm:
Great Program. I remember a story of many years ago, it was a documentary, probably on WTTW, about a program in Ohio which was called “Cleveland Works” and although they highlighted many people, the one I remember was the kid that was charged with attempted murder that became, through the program, a law Clerk and was working to become a lawyer.
From one who worked in prisons and saw the ability and intelligence that was housed in that bleak area, this would be a good venture.
- Leslie K - Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 6:04 pm:
More like this please! Sounds like a great program, and this is the sort of thing we need to be investing in. As SPAC’s numbers indicate, about 96% of prisoners will return to the community. We also need to do more on the front end, to help prevent a life-course that ends up with a prison stay. But once a person has been in prison, we all benefit if we help them when they return to a community. And that help actually needs to begin in prison, as we have also discussed.
- DuPage Dave - Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 6:08 pm:
Those statistics are grim, but the positive example of the individual in the video is very nice to see. Whoever is pushing this, please keep pushing forward and thanks.
- Ayinde Murphy - Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 7:37 pm:
I know this struggle all too well. As a former restaurant manager who has a felony it is VERY HARD to find a job now. Even with good references. I don’t know how I am going to pay rent this month. Maybe I should try signing up for this……
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 8:14 pm:
The report comes to the conclusion that criminal justice programs have to be funded to reduce recidivism. So who will be first to pass a bill to fund it?
- Liandro - Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 8:18 pm:
Recidivism is an area where society could do better, and it’s great to see those trying to make a difference.
- PJ - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 8:58 am:
==As a former restaurant manager who has a felony==
Look into Safer Foundation (http://saferfoundation.org/). If you’re on the North Side of Chicago, you could also try Howard Area Community Center. Both do employment work with formerly incarcerated people.
- Passive Agressive - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 9:28 am:
I am all for reducing recidivism but part of that means significantly increasing funding for community based and prison based treatment on education, addiction recovery, mental health, etc. In addition, that average cost number they are using is grossly exaggerated.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 8:08 am:
==In addition, that average cost number they are using is grossly exaggerated.==
How so? Show your work.