The Prison Entrepreneurship
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| PEP Success |
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See how the Prison Entrepreneurship Program ("PEP") develops confidence and ideas for the best startup business opportunities after release from prison.
There is a great deal of untapped potential within the prison walls. In fact, many inmates were seasoned entrepreneurs who happened to run illegitimate businesses. It has been found that the truly reformed prisoners have tremendous potential once they receive the right education and life skills training.
The Start
As a resident of Houston, Texas, I am proud that our community has developed the Prison Entrepreneurship Program in and around the Houston area to help improve the lives of so many. It would not have happened but for the will and determination of a former Wall Street investor, Catherine Rohr, who formed PEP in May 2004.
Catherine was touring a prison and noticed that executives and inmate had more in common that most would think. They know how to get things done by managing others. Competition, profitability and risk management are understood by even the most unsophisticated drug dealers.
She moved to Texas and started this program to transform the lives of many. PEP has recruited more than 1,000 CEOs, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurs as volunteers. A large number of MBA students from schools like Baylor, Harvard, and Stanford have helped PEP graduates consider different occupations and determine the best startup business to engage in. You can get a feel for the program by viewing the video below of Baylor students' efforts in working with prisoners.
video length 4:40
Video — August 04, 2009 — Baylor MBA students are matched with one PEP participant each semester and spend one hour each week providing feedback to the PEP participant on his business plan.
The Results
The PEP website has provided the following results:
As of June 2009:
- Total number of graduates = 500
- Recidivism rate = Less than 10%
- Average number of days to gain employment = 20
- Employment Rate = 80%+ within 30 days of release
- Average starting wage = $10.54/hour
- Number of businesses started = 55
- Total number of individuals in the PEP network = 7,500+
- Number of MBA volunteers = 450+ from 30+ MBA programs
The latest result from the PEP website are shown here.
Catherine has completed this successful startup and the program in now in the capable hands of Phi Tran.
A Building Process
No doubt that all of us could use guidance and direction from time to time. I would suspect that many of these motivated entrepreneurs could also benefit from the all encompassing package of e-business building that is available with SBI 2.0.
The SBI model has been very successful, especially when compared with other web development tools. such as Yahoo Web Hosting Pro and 1+1 Websitebuilder Plus. If you still have questions and want to learn more without any obligation, please feel free to contact SBI staff and owners here, to answer you questions.
Use your skills, knowledge, attitude and motivation to help others and help yourself. Find out more on our How to Start a Website page.SiteSell Twitter Updates
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