The SCBC advocates for second chance employment, offering resources to help companies hire and advance individuals with criminal records. It highlights the value these employees bring, with 82% of managers reporting equal or higher contributions compared to others. Tools and case studies guide businesses in implementing successful programs.
Relationships & Community
New Beginnings
RC-07Second Chances Employment Program
Open doors to transformation. Create opportunities with a second chances employment program.
MarkingsRedemptionGraceRenewalHope(Matthew 25:35-40)
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
Matthew 25:34–40
From the card
Getting Started
- Develop a Policy: Establish a support structure for participants and clear guidelines that define program eligibility.
- Partner with Nonprofits: Collaborate with organizations that support rehabilitation and reentry into the workforce.
- Train Your Team: Educate your staff on the benefits and best practices of hiring individuals needing a second chance.
- Create a Mentorship Program: Pair participants with mentors to guide their reintegration and development within the company.
- Monitor Progress: Set up a system for tracking the progress and success of the program and its participants.
Tips for Success
- Consider the following populations: veterans, survivors of human trafficking, those formerly incarcerated, and those with special needs.
- Offer tailored training and development programs for new hires under this initiative.
- Consider integrating this program with the Dream Manager Program.
Continue exploring
8 resourcesResources
Jails to Jobs is a nonprofit that equips ex-offenders with tools to find employment. It offers a step-by-step job search plan, focusing on hidden job markets, résumé writing, and interviews. Resources include local support networks, career centers, and advice tailored to reentry challenges, promoting persistence and success in rejoining the workforce.
Honest Jobs is a fair-chance employment platform dedicated to helping currently and formerly incarcerated individuals secure meaningful employment. It connects job seekers with companies committed to second-chance hiring while also providing access to essential support services. The platform fosters stability, reduces recidivism, and empowers individuals to rebuild their lives successfully.
The *Getting Talent Back to Work Toolkit* provides employers with practical guidance for hiring individuals with criminal records. It includes best practices, legal considerations, and strategies to create inclusive hiring policies. The tool kit aims to reduce stigma, promote fair-chance hiring, and help businesses access a broader talent pool while fostering social impact.
This resource offers nationwide consulting services to help businesses implement second-chance hiring practices. Their multiphase plan includes assessing readiness, sourcing and recruiting talent, managing retention, and building thought leadership through public relations and community outreach. With more than a decade of experience, they customize strategies to create inclusive workplaces and support long-term success for second-chance employees.
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is a federal tax incentive for employers who hire individuals from specific target groups facing employment barriers, such as veterans, ex-felons, and those who have been unemployed long-term. Employers can claim the credit after meeting retention requirements, encouraging workplace diversity while reducing unemployment among disadvantaged groups.
This program, established by the US Department of Labor in 1966, provides free fidelity bonds to employers hiring “at-risk” or hard-to-place job seekers. Covering the first six months of employment, these bonds protect against employee dishonesty, offering employers peace of mind while supporting individuals facing employment barriers.
The Prison Fellowship Angel Tree program supports families of incarcerated individuals by strengthening bonds between parents and children. It provides Christmas gifts on behalf of incarcerated parents; organizes summer camps, sports camps, and STEM events; and equips churches to engage with these families year-round. The initiative shares the gospel while fostering hope and connection.
Keep the conversation going
Have a resource to suggest? We’d love to hear it.