Visit Bledsoe Prison
Join Chattanooga Endeavors at the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex on March 7, 2025, for an eye-opening look at the realities of incarceration. Engage in meaningful conversations with staff and incarcerated individuals, and enjoy a shared meal that fosters open dialogue. Learn about the many rehabilitation programs within the prison system, and gain insights that challenge common assumptions about justice and reintegration. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding and contribute to real change. Join us on this journey—because real change starts with understanding.
What does “reentry” have to do with it?
Second-chance hiring is most effective when employers use a clear, actionable definition of reentry. This article explains why the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) definition—focusing on individuals hired within one year of a felony conviction or prison release—is the best framework for hiring policies. Relying solely on the fact of a conviction can create unnecessary barriers, branding individuals as permanently unfit for employment. Instead, reentry should be seen as a temporary transition, with targeted interventions yielding the best results. The article outlines research supporting this approach and provides practical recommendations, including partnering with staffing agencies and nonprofits to ensure successful second-chance hiring.
Hello World! (As they say)
Community Connections (outside edition) is all about busting stereotypes and helping and ordinary citizens create second chances where they stand. If you’re curious about the necessary role of the community in effective reentry and how you can pitch in, sign up to receive our posts
