In Canada, there is only one program that equips returning citizens with entrepreneurial and business skills after incarceration. Meanwhile, in the USA, there are hundreds of programs that not only offer this training, but forms of start-up capital.

My work with Prison Entrepreneurship Program shows how invaluable entrepreneurial skills are for returning citizens, and the justice system as a whole. PEP graduates see:

  • less than 10% recidivism rate, far below state averages

  • 100% employment rate for graduates that secure jobs above low-income threshold within 25 days of release

  • 46% of graduates achieve homeownership.

my journey with returning citizens…

My journey working with returning citizens began with a research paper published by Kylie Hwang from Kellogg School of Management proving that not only do returning citizens experience labour market discrimination, but that this was the main factor that pushed returning citizens to turn to entrepreneurship. This paper also showed that those who worked for themselves made more income, and faster, than those who eventually found employment. At that point, I had spent almost ten years in tech, investment, impact investing, and social finance. In addition to raising capital in many different forms, and even launching new products to democratize investment, I had run entrepreneurship and mentorship programs for startup founders. Throughout all of these experiences, not once had I heard about the challenges faced by returning citizens. 

I invited Kylie on my podcast, The Human Challenge, to talk about how entrepreneurial programs can support returning citizens. Initially, I was excited. With my professional experience, it meant I could help! I conducted an Internet search, reached out to a few American organizations to see if they had Canadian partners, and could not come up with any Canadian programs dedicated to supporting returning citizens with entrepreneurial skills. I even called the Program Director at my local detention center and was told that there were no entrepreneurial programs at that time. 

Somehow, I was led to The Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP), who accepted me into their Sponsorship program. PEP offers direct entrepreneurial skills, including marketing, sales, business-building, operations, business plans, to individuals while in prison. It even culminates in a business pitch competition! The sponsorship/mentorship aspect occurs after prison, where additional skills are taught, including resume-building, using LinkedIn to find jobs, reintegrating with family, and building community. Additionally, entrepreneurial programs also offer community; even after graduating the program, many returning citizens stay with PEP to stay connected. Finally, programs like PEP boast tremendous systemic impact. PEP sees less than 10% recidivism rate, far below state averages; 100% employment rate for graduates that secure jobs above low-income threshold within 25 days of release; and 46% of graduates achieve homeownership. This is huge, especially given the current housing crisis in Canada. 

In addition to mentorship, I also invite returning citizens with a history of incarceration on my podcast, The Human Challenge, to talk about their journeys and experiences.

  • Emily O'Brien, founder of Comeback Snacks, paved the way using her own incarceration experience and Comeback Catalyst as an accelerator for returning citizens to develop a tangible proof-of-concept for their business.

  • Quan Huynh, Executive Director of Southern California at Defy Ventures, who, while incarcerated, trained and prepared his fellow comrades for their Parole Board Hearings, before finding success at his own hearing.

  • I've also spoken to Jason Wang, CEO/Founder of FreeWorld, who was directly involved in prison reform work while in prison in Texas.

  • and more!