START-OPP's Skills Training And Reentry Track program (START): working with employers and justice-involved individuals to create successful reentry outcomes.

START
Skills Training And Reentry Track at START-Opp works with employers and justice-involved individuals providing skills-based job training, employment and reentry support, to create successful reentry outcomes.

Training and Employment for Successful Outcomes

Every year, over 600,000 people leave prison and return to U.S. communities. A staggering 33% remain unemployed for 4 or more years after release, and almost 50% are reincarcerated within 3 years. Stable employment with a living wage is critical to successful reentry.

Skills-based training significantly reduces recidivism and improves employment opportunities. Vocational training program graduates are 33% less likely to reoffend and significantly more likely to be gainfully employed, for as long as 12 years following release.*

Benefits to Employers: Low Turnover, High Talent_

Returning citizens can help fill the growing talent gap. They are loyal and hard working employees with low turnover.

Second chance hiring is an essential part of fair hiring practices. Employers also benefit from Work Opportunity Tax Credits, Federal Bonding programs and other incentives.

*Source: U.S. Department Of Justice

1.

Nearly 6.9 million people in the United States are in prison or jail, or under supervision at any given time.

2.

For returning citizens going into a full-time job, the rate of reoffending within the first 12 months drops from 70% to 22%.

3.

Formerly incarcerated employees are loyal employees with lower turnover than traditional hires over 4 years.

Play a role in the success of others.

make a donation

The START Solution

START-OPP develops education and job training programs inside prisons and in the community. Program graduates are guaranteed full-time employment opportunities, filling the talent gap for employers.

For returning citizens: START offers training, employment, mentorship and reentry services that are essential to successful reintegration to the community.

For employers: START helps graduates become talented and dedicated employees. START-OPP’s Employer Reentry Advisors help HR and supervisors navigate challenges that arise, to ensure success for the second chance hiring initiative.

about start

Second Chance Opportunities matter

Sir Richard Branson

"It's about awareness, … employers [need to be] aware of the positives of taking on people who have been in prison."

Virgin Group

Chair

UK Business Leaders

"[There are] a large number of potential superstars who get ignored by employers because of their criminal record. It makes sense for… companies to recruit these individuals and to make use of their skills and enthusiasm."

Marc Bolland, Chief Executive, Marks & Spencer
Richard Branson, Chairman, Virgin Group
Matthew Davies, Chief Executive, Pets at Home
Steve Halliday, Chief Executive, National Grid
James Reed, Chairman, Reed
Ian Sarson, Group Managing Director, Compass Group UK and Ireland
James Timpson, Chief Executive, Timpson and Chair of the Employers Forum for Reducing Reoffending
Malcolm Walker, Chief Executive, Iceland Foods

Danny K. Davis

"The best defense against recidivism is a job."

US House of Representatives - 7th District, D-IL

President Barack Obama

“Now, a lot of times, [having a] record … means millions of Americans have difficulty even getting their foot in the door to try to get a job much less actually hang on to that job. That's bad for not only those individuals, it's bad for our economy... So we’ve got to make sure Americans who’ve paid their debt to society can earn their second chance."

President of the United States

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.

"Second chances provide wins for the formerly incarcerated person who gets to experience the dignity of work; the community wins by reducing recidivism and crime; and employers win by gaining access to valuable talent. Everyone wins, so embracing this opportunity should be a no-brainer."

Society for Human Resource Management

President and CEO

Jamie Dimon

“In this hyper-competitive global economy, we simply cannot afford to leave more than 80 million Americans on the sidelines. JPMorgan Chase is committed to giving people with criminal backgrounds a second chance.”

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Chairman and CEO

Andrew Yang

“Incarceration and recidivism rates high? Providing people an incentive to stay out of jail while also providing them some level of economic security while they get back on their feet… sounds like a great way to solve that problem.”

American businessman

Get Engaged or Involved

Can I join as a partner?

Sure! You can test out Webflow on our free plan where you can experiment with 2 projects. Your unhosted projects will have a two-page limit, but you can purchase a site plan on a per-project basis to unlock up to 100 static pages and additional CMS pages.

I’m incarcerated, how do I apply?

Can I join as a partner?

I’m incarcerated, how do I apply?

With your support we can solve the biggest challenges to successful reentry.

donate

Join us as a Second Chance hiring partner