Insights and Perspectives

April is Second Chance Month, a nationally recognized observance founded by Prison Fellowship in 2017, dedicated to raising awareness and support for reentry programs that help justice-impacted individuals reintegrate back into society. Since the first Second Chance Month, multiple U.S. presidents and more than 25 states and D.C. have recognized the observance.

In the United States, nearly one in three adults has a criminal record and every year over 650,000 individuals are released from state and federal prisons, meaning more than 70 million Americans have been involved with the criminal justice system. Many of these individuals face obstacles when reentering into society. Securing stable employment, housing, healthcare, education, and other essentials becomes a difficult task for those with a record. As a result, nearly 75 percent of justice-impacted individuals remain unemployed a year after their release. Successful reentry into society is crucial as it helps individuals rebuild their lives, reduces recidivism, improves public safety, and strengthens communities.

In observance of Second Chance Month, this blog will explore some of the challenges, misconceptions, and benefits of reentry, highlighting the importance of supporting reentry programs and the role of Geographic Solutions' VOS REO solution.

The Challenging Road to Reintegration

1. Securing Safe Housing

Justice-impacted individuals face significant barriers in accessing affordable and safe housing, potentially leading to instability, homelessness, and higher risk of recidivism. Adrianne Slaughter, Montana Department of Corrections Government Relations Director, stated that "housing is the biggest obstacle to success both in getting released and making it in the community." Without a secure place to live, these individuals may struggle to meet parole requirements, further complicating their reintegration process. Elayne Weiss, Senior Policy Analyst at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, highlighted a study that found returning inmates without stable housing are twice as likely to recidivate compared to those with stable housing. Programs that provide transitional housing and support services are essential in helping individuals build a foundation for a successful reentry.

2. Technology Transition

Many individuals who have been justice-impacted for a long period of time struggle with using modern technology when released. For example, someone who has been in prison for 20 years may find it challenging to navigate advances in technologies such as smartphones, computers, or online job applications. In an article by Wired, author Luke Elliott Sommer who served time for 17 years, highlighted his experience with technology changes while he served his time.

“I have watched flip phones become iPhones, EVs become ubiquitous, and AI start to take over the world,” said Sommer. Still, I have been largely unable to use that technology myself.”

Sommer is not alone in feeling these sentiments, many justice-impacted individuals feel disconnected from the outside world and technology skills and training are often essential in new job markets and this technological gap can hinder their ability to find employment. 

3. Financial Literacy

Justice-impacted individuals often lack financial skills, making it hard to budget, save money, and manage debt after release. In April 2023, Geographic Solutions' Marketing Content Team Lead, Evan Brenner, interviewed Augie Ghilarducci, President and COO of 2nd Opportunity. Augie, who was incarcerated for 13 years, shared his firsthand experience of reentering society. He stated that, during his time in prison, he met many fellow prisoners that had never had a bank account and if they needed to transact any type of banking business, they would be paying fees though cashing checks essentially losing a portion of their paycheck due to a lack of guidance on banking and credit.

Augie founded 2nd Opportunity with the goal of educating justice-impacted individuals on topics such as financial literacy before their release. By providing education on topics such as budgeting, saving, and understanding credit, reentry programs empower justice-impacted individuals to make informed financial decisions. His inspiring story and impactful work were featured in this Second Chance Month's Pathways to Employment webinar on April 8th, 2025, alongside Torrey Leach, Workforce Development Manager at the NC Department of Adult Correction. The webinar also covered crucial topics such as the barriers faced by justice-impacted individuals, strategies to create job opportunities, and programs aimed at reducing recidivism. Check out the webinar recording to learn more! 

The Realities of Reentry

1. Myth: Justice-impacted individuals are not interested in education.

Justice-impacted individuals are eager to pursue education and training to improve their chances of finding employment. A study conducted by the RAND Corporation found that justice-impacted individuals who participated in educational programs were highly motivated to improve their skills and knowledge and that those who engaged in correctional education had a 43% lower chance of recidivating and a 13% higher chance of obtaining employment after release. This demonstrates a strong interest in education among justice-impacted individuals to work towards bettering their lives and securing stable employment. In the article Intersections and Opportunities: Correctional Education Programming and Supporting the Complex Needs of Returning Citizens by Alex Tabor, the author explains how education fosters productive collaboration, teamwork, and group encouragement among incarcerated men and returning citizens completing their GEDs. These examples showcase the reality of justice-impacted individuals' motivation towards education. Many are highly motivated to pursue education to improve their chances of finding stable employment and successfully reintegrating into society.

2. Myth: Correctional facilities that want to expand access to technology and education must be willing to compromise the security of the facility. 

Correctional facilities have successfully used technology to broaden the scope of education programming while maintaining appropriate and effective safeguards. The E2E Network, developed by Geographic Solutions in partnership with CALPIA, demonstrates that it is possible to expand access to technology and education without compromising security. Innovations by Geographic Solutions' software development team ensured that all security requirements were met. The E2E Network operates via a secure connection, without access to the internet, social media, or common messaging platforms. Security protocols restrict inmates from using any internet-based programs that might lead to illicit activities. All communications are strictly monitored by approved staff members and confined to the internal database, ensuring a secure environment while providing essential skills and resources for successful reentry. Reentry education programs face the challenge of ensuring educational and digital materials do not interfere with prison security protocols but with innovative approaches and strategies, they can effectively provide inmates with the technology to learn the necessary skills and knowledge for successful reintegration into society.

3. Myth: Employers cannot protect themselves from potential losses when hiring justice-impacted individuals.

Programs like the Federal Bonding Program established by the U.S Department of Labor in 1966 provide insurance to employers, protecting them from potential losses due to employee dishonesty. Thousands of employers across the country have integrated the Federal Bonding Program into their hiring practices with over 56,500 job placements made for at-risk job seekers who were automatically made bondable. This program offers a safety net, encouraging employers to give second chances without the fear of financial risk. The program not only helps employers, but it helps individuals gain employment and allows them to demonstrate honesty. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) offers another layer of support. This tax credit provides financial incentives to employers who hire individuals from certain target groups, including those with felony convictions. These federal programs help reduce risks for employers and promote inclusive hiring.

The Impact of Successful Reentry

1. Boosting Local Economies

Providing justice-impacted individuals with the opportunity to earn a living stimulates the local economy. When justice-impacted individuals become taxpayers and consumers, they fuel growth and stability back into their communities. On February 3, 2025, the Second Chance Business Coalition (SCBC) announced milestones in advancing second chance employment. Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase and co-chair of the SCBC, stated, “By tapping into the potential of individuals with criminal records, we are addressing workforce shortages and strengthening our economy.” The importance of these efforts is further emphasized by the fact that an overwhelming 85% of employers report that second-chance employees preform as well as, or even better than, those without criminal backgrounds. This highlights the value and reliability of hiring justice-impacted individuals, supporting economic growth and stability.

2. Improved Mental Health and Sense of Purpose

Successful reentry into society provides justice-impacted individuals with a renewed sense of purpose and self-worth. By securing employment, engaging in community activities, and rebuilding relationships, these individuals can experience improvements in their mental health. The opportunity to contribute positively to society and support themselves creates a sense of accomplishment and belonging. This sense of purpose can be a powerful motivator, helping individuals to stay on a positive path and avoid recidivism. In Geographic Solutions’ interview with Augie Ghilarducci, Augie shared his experience of developing social anxiety while serving his time. Upon release, he often felt like an outcast, which made it challenging for him to open up and engage in everyday conversation. The stability and routine provided by employment and community involvement can reduce this stress and social anxiety. Fauso Basso, an individual incarcerated since 2006 with 70 days left in his sentence stated his experience with mental health while using the E2E Network, developed by Geographic Solutions in partnership with CALPIA, “This program is a blessing to have,” said Basso. “It lowers my anxiety to find employment right when I get out … it has given me confidence and self-worth, it’s given me a purpose in my life, being able to show up and work every day. I’m not taking away from society like I used to.” These stories illustrate the impact that successful reentry programs can have on individuals' mental health and wellbeing.

3. Reduced Recidivism Rates

Reentry programs significantly lower the likelihood of justice-impacted individuals committing new crimes and returning to prison. The proof is in the numbers, in a dissertation presented by the U.S. Department of Justice entitled, “The Impact of Reentry Programs on Recidivism: A Meta-Analysis" found that reentry programs reduce recidivism, on average, by 6%. Geographic Solutions’ partnership with CALPIA on the E2E Network is another example of a reentry program reducing recidivism in the state of California. The E2E network already gives second-chance job seekers exposure to job offers before leaving prison. According to a recent joint study between CALPIA and the University of California, Irvine, CALPIA participants have a return to custody rate of 15% after three years and 85% of all CALPIA participants do not return to prison, saving the State of California millions of dollars annually. These statistics highlight the benefit of reentry programs in reducing recidivism and helping individuals rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society. 

How VOS REO Makes a Difference

Second Chance Month is an opportunity to support reentry programs and advocate for second chances. By learning about the challenges, misconceptions, and benefits of reentry, we can help justice-impacted individuals reintegrate successfully into society. Learn more about how Geographic Solutions' VOS REO solution is making a difference in the lives of justice-impacted individuals here. Together, let's celebrate the impact and importance of Second Chance Month.