The Benefits of Hiring the Formerly Incarcerated Lauren Dougall Business Development Coordinator Project Return

Reentry Statistics Davidson County is home to four state penitentiaries and one private There are fourteen institutions in total across the state of Tennessee 95% of people entering these institutions will return from them They are the most at risk in the first year following their release

Benefits to the Community Allows the formerly incarcerated to contribute to the economic development of Nashville Lower rates of recidivism (reoffending) Saving taxpayer dollars (cost of incarceration) Lower rates of unemployment Lower crime rates Increased public safety Family reunification Productive, contributing citizens

Benefits to the Employer Access to a pool of motivated, job ready applicants Recently educated in soft skills and skilled trades Work Opportunity Tax Credit Federal Bonding Program

Benefits to the Formerly Incarcerated Employment is most important indicator of a crime-free future Financial stability Ability to support family, reunite Steps towards a career (ABC) Short and long term goal setting Completion/Return to education

How Project Return assists the Formerly Incarcerated Connects the formerly incarcerated to the resources they need to gain employment through Job Readiness curriculum and services including transportation; job leads; medical referrals; housing referrals; clothing; food; relapse prevention; ID documentation; financial assistance; child support services and mentoring programs

How Project Return Assists Employers Project Return’s dedicated Business Development Team builds relationships with local employers to understand their unique workforce needs Project Return offers flexible staffing solutions in response to these needs We don’t talk about a “felony-friendly” list; rather, we work with smart businesses who are interested in hiring some of the most motivated job seekers in our community

Bobby’s Story