“This is the most money I have made legally!”
— An overjoyed former inmate holding up his first paycheck from one of our partner employers
Some people might think a quote like that is pretty negative. Undeniably, it reminds us that this person used to support himself as a criminal. Let’s call him “Bobby.” Perhaps he broke into homes and sold stolen goods, or was a drug dealer, or worse. Who knows?
Ian Cox, who is a true champion of giving people a second chance at one of our employer partners, reported this scene to me. We shared one of those great moments of pride, like seeing your kid make the winning touch down in an important game. For us and anyone hoping for actual rehabilitation of those coming out of long-term incarceration, Bobby’s excitement over his paycheck was nothing less than the conversion of a soul—early stages—but proof of new life for sure.
Over the months and years Bobby will learn about the deeper benefits that only honest work provides, like self-esteem, financial stability, and respect from his family members. At the same time, by his example of just going to work every day—he will literally be giving his children a map they can carry into their futures.
Overwhelmingly, men in long-term incarceration do not come from an intact family. Usually, there was no father who provided an example of success in the world. There was no one who held down a steady job, or required excellence in school. Often a gang of kids became a stronger family than the one he was born into, and the lure of “easy money,” mixed with the virility of youth spawned another young and damaged criminal.
That’s a lot negative input to undo.
But, the combination of a job with decent pay, understanding mentors, and employers who are willing to hire someone with a difficult past, is a powerful combination. Our employer partners who offer jobs through SecondChanceIndy.com have joined with us in the business of changing lives, because nothing short of changing lives will change the fabric of our city, or reduce recidivism, or help raise the poverty level in some of our poorest neighborhoods, or impact the tide of new young law-breakers.
Jim
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