Corrections_Today_September_October_2020_Vol.82_No.5

n Employment

Leave your old life behind Leaving your past behind is also crucial to succeeding in life and employment after incarceration. James, a 42-year- old Black man who was incarcerated for seven years, explained that “It’s a personal choice. If you made the choice to stop living the lifestyle that’s going to have you living in prison, and if you are willing to latch on to all the help that [your employer] is willing to give people. So, if you’re not willing, if you don’t make up that mindset then you’re not going to succeed, but that is a personal choice.” Hannah, a 52-year-old white woman who spent six years incarcerated, recommended that one should be prepared to leave their old life behind. Hannah stated that “everything that you did before, you have to leave that life behind. If you’re not ready, don’t even bother.” Respondents shared that leaving old habits behind and starting with a clean slate was pivotal to their success. Consider looking for work at a second chance employer Seeking employment with a second chance employer may make reentering the workforce easier, especially for individuals straight out of incarceration who are still under correctional supervision. Second chance employers

are organizations that intentionally employ individu- als with a record of incarceration. Jada, a 26-year-old Black woman who was incarcerated for less than a year, reported that she was, “able to be in an environment that understands your past.” Second chance employers may be more understanding and flexible with employees’ priori- ties when trying to succeed after incarceration. Debra, a 63-year-old Black woman who spent 16 years in prison, highlighted that “having a boss that is informative of knowing what’s going on in your life” played an impor- tant role in her transition to life outside of incarceration. Not only may respondents have an easier time find- ing employment with second chance employers, but it may be easier to remain employed with them as well. Second chance employers may be more understanding about the criminal justice related requirements previously incarcerated individuals face upon their release. Astor, a 28-year-old multiracial woman who was incarcerated for three years, shared how her experience with second chance employers allowed for an environment where she was able to attend her mandatory meetings and hearings. Astor explained, “[In] my experience, I’ve seen that not everybody is going to tell me no and get mad at me and scream at me for me taking a day off because I have class

Big journeys begin with small steps.

“Never give up, nothing happens overnight. You don’t walk in the door and get the keys to the kingdom.” — George

“I made it through the darkest times of my life and now my success, my future, it’s all in my hands.” — Michael

“Know that if it doesn’t work out, hey, it’s okay, keep trying. Don’t just give up and think you can go back to your old ways.” — Astor

40 — September/October 2020 Corrections Today