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D.C. Council Passes Entrepreneurship Program for Returning Citizens… But It’s Not Funded

By Kevin Smith, on August 1st, 2016

According to the Department of Employment Services, just five years ago, the unemployment rate in Ward 7 hovered around 19 percent. In Ward 8, it was routinely more than 20 percent. Today, the rates are 9.5 percent and 11.3 percent respectively. Ward 5, another area with stubbornly high unemployment has almost matched the overall unemployment rate in the District at 6.4 percent. This is all very good news. The bad news is that these decreases don’t seem to be reaching the District’s returning citizens.

Approximately 67,000 individuals with a prior conviction reside in the District of Columbia, that’s 10 percent of the population. (1) According to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) the percentage of unemployed among the offender population in the District for Black Non-Hispanic segment of the population was 64 percent in 2014.

The same scarcity of educational and training opportunities that put many at risk for criminal behavior remains unchanged during and after prison. Seventy-seven percent of D.C. offenders who return from prison received no employment assistance while incarcerated, and only one-third of those stated that assistance was available to them post release. (2)

It is no wonder that returning citizens who want to provide for their families are challenged to do so. This remains true even for those who are more motivated than those in the workforce without criminal records.

The DC Reentry Task Force (DCRTF) is a reentry advocacy group of entrepreneurs, academia, reentry professionals and returning citizens. We understand the need for innovation in the development of 21st century solutions to address the barriers faced by the formerly incarcerated as they seek to re-establish themselves back into society. Which is why we’ve worked to take a lead in the discussion in supporting Bill 21-463, the Incarceration to Incorporation Entrepreneurship Program (IIEP) Act of 2015. (3)

On June 23, 2016, the Business, Consumer, and Regulatory Affairs committee voted unanimously to move the bill forward to a full council vote on June 28, 2016. The downside, though, is that the bill was passed and moved forward subject to appropriation. (4) In voicing their support at the mark-up for the legislation, Councilmember Elissa Silverman noted that she “Really thinks this is a creative approach.” She continued by saying, “This is a bill that’ll take a first step toward looking at how we address entrepreneurship issue.” Brandon Todd echoed her sentiments that, “This bill is yet another step towards helping this population attain jobs and self-sufficiency. “

While Councilmember Charles Allen praised the bill saying, “Returning citizen’s best chance at employment and a successful future … is by turning to the ability to being an entrepreneur to start their own business,” he also had his reservations. “One piece that gives me anxiety,” he said, “is just that it’s not currently funded.”

At the first reading of the bill on June 28, Councilmember David Grosso echoed Allen’s concerns “On bills that we [Council] move forward in the past that are subject to appropriation it is rather rare that they ever get funded.” He further stated, “We put programs in place that will not become effective for over an entire year.”

On the other hand, Councilmember Orange said “We’re hopeful the Mayor will send down this bill as part of her budget (in FY2018) and that it would be in fact approved.”

Councilmember Grosso’s point about bills subject to appropriation not being funded is a valid one. Dating back to 2001, the council has approved 42 legislative measures that have not funded to date, and six (6) partially funded.

It is apparent that little or no effort was put forth by the BCRA committee to get the Executive to include Bill 21-463 in her FY2017 budget. The main objective for all returning citizens and their supporters should be to get the bill funded during the FY2018 budget cycle, and correct any other language issues that could render parts of the bill subject to legal challenges in the future. Also, to ensure that the Department of Small and Local Business Development be clarified as the lead agency, and DOES act in support of this important effort. We hope to get amendments to change the legislation accordingly in the near future. Passage of the bill clearly shows that the council views entrepreneurship for the returning citizens as a viable economic development strategy. The DCRTF believes the full council supports proper funding for the bill, which will effectuate real change in the lives of our returning citizens and their families.

. . . → Read More: D.C. Council Passes Entrepreneurship Program for Returning Citizens… But It’s Not Funded

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There Are Jobs Available for Returning Citizens in the District of Columbia

By Guest Contributor, on April 13th, 2016

Considering all of the barriers a returning citizen faces when they make it home from incarceration, from not having an I.D. or a birth certificate to having no place to live or limited computer skills, it’s no real surprise the unemployment rate for returning citizens in DC is estimated to be about 50%. . . . → Read More: There Are Jobs Available for Returning Citizens in the District of Columbia

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Employment and Entrepreneurship for Returning Citizens

By Liane Scott, on December 3rd, 2015

Staff of Clean Decisions, a company providing employment opportunities for Returning Citizens

I came across two stories on the Facebook feed about companies in the District that make a point of hiring Returning Citizens. This interests me because most of the folks who come into the Potomac Gardens Community Resource Center to use the computer lab to search for jobs and/or create a résumé also have criminal records. Regardless of how old the offense or how ridiculous the charge most employers don’t give them a second look. One woman, we’ll call her “Helen,” is still haunted by an assault charge. Sounds bad right? What happened was that she got into a fist-fight with a neighbor that resulted in some scratches and bruises. The yelling was enough to get the police called and both of them arrested. That was twenty years ago. “Helen” was asked about her record during the interview for the part-time cafeteria position which she’s held for the last fifteen years. Obviously, they gave her the job despite her scrap with the neighbor. But she’s been looking for a second part-time job on and off for the last decade and can’t get to the interview stage. She thinks it’s the felony charge. Frankly, so do I.

The passage of the Ban the Box Bill in the District of Columbia last year should have made it easier for Returning Citizens and even those like “Helen” who didn’t go to prison to get an interview. Employers aren’t allowed to ask about an applicant’s criminal history until after a conditional offer of employment has been made. Of course, there’s nothing to stop potential employers from conducting background checks on their own at any point during the hiring process. So, finding employers who are willing to hire residents who have records is crucial.

The following is a report by WUSA9 about the Courtyard Marriott Convention Center hotel in downtown D.C.

Another story Cleaning Up Their Act: A Clean Break for Ex-Cons about Clean Decisions, a company that helps violent ex-offenders find temporary jobs, allowing them to gain experience and build their resumes. These stories are great but two employers willing to hire Returning Citizens is hardly enough to make a dent in the problem. According to Anne Clark writing for NextCity.org :

The nation’s prison system grew by 400 percent after 1980, but with overcrowding and depleted budgets, more and more people are being released, mostly to urban cores. About 700,000 people — more than the entire population of D.C. — come home from prisons across the country every year. They face debilitating challenges in securing housing, jobs and transit, all of which contributes to recidivism and the most ubiquitous of urban challenges: crime and homelessness.

Between 2008 and 2014, the number of D.C. residents in prison dropped by 41 percent, with about 8,000 people returning home each year. About half of them will be back behind bars within three years, according to Thornton. Altogether, around 70,000 D.C. residents have criminal records. That’s nearly 10 percent of the total population.

Clearly, the few employers willing to hire Returning Citizens is not enough. Another approach is the Returning Citizens Business Development Program Act of 2015 which would establish a business development program within the Office On Returning Citizens Affairs that would assist in funding businesses owned, operated, or managed by returning citizens. The bill is sponsored by At-Large Councilmember Vincent Orange. I came across it in researching this article, but don’t see any stories by the mainstream press or any action in support of the legislation by advocates or activists. Perhaps the bill will pick up steam in the coming months.

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FFOIP’s 8th Annual Concerned Father’s Public Safety Community Cook-Out!

By Liane Scott, on August 15th, 2013

Why should you support Family and Friends of Incarcerated People? Listen to them on WPFW’s broadcast of Voices with Vision. [audio:http://www.grassrootsdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/FFOIP-on-Voices-with-Vision.mp3]

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Re-Entering Society: Chancelin Matthews Tells His Story

By Judith Hawkins, on May 5th, 2013

Many citizens of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area who have paid their dues to society are forced to pay them over and over again because of the antiquated polices and unrealistic expectations placed on them by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA). Chancelin Matthews shares some of his concerns about prison and life after his release.

Valencia’s It Is What It Is Mobile talk show is dedicated to ensuring that these important stories are told. If you or someone you know would like to speak out on the devastating effect of the correctional system, please contact us at iiwiitalkshow@yahoo.com, because IT IS WHAT IT IS.

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