Nearly one in three American adults has a criminal record, which limits their access to housing, employment, and education. Through our Reintegration & Second Chance Center, SE International searches for ways to sustainably reduce the number of people in prisons and jails and facilitate the reintegration of ex-prisoners into their home communities. The Center supports these individuals through job training, and small business startup support. Additionally, the Center supports ex-prisoners with housing, mental health, and substance abuse programs.

VISION

Empower inmate and ex-prisoner populations in the United States and in Africa and support the reintegration of these individuals into their communities through job training, education, and entrepreneurship development skills.

MISSION

To improve the quality of life of inmates and ex-prisoners, both in the United States and Africa, through citizenship and human rights education, entrepreneurship development, financial literacy and marketing skills, and small and medium size business development empowerment. This support includes skills training, professional mentoring, and promoting community involvement in efforts to re-integrate inmates into the community through the establishment of strategic partnerships with the government, the private sector, and local stakeholders.

APPROACH

The Center focuses on training and mentoring inmates and ex-prisoners—both in prison and when they return to their communities—in innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and new business development skills. This work is paired with community engagement to facilitate reintegration and allow ex-prisoners to recover their full rights and become accepted members of their community.

PROJECTS FOR BOTH INMATES AND EX-PRISONERS

Giving a Chance to Ex-prisoners Projects are designed to reduce the number of incarcerated women and youth through preventive and educational programs. These projects will also provide technical assistance to those inmates preparing to reenter their communities. Lastly, these projects will provide professional, nutritional, health, and housing assistance for ex-prisoners to aid in the prevention or reduction of recidivism. Those projects fall into:

  • Education and Prevention: Educate the communities—particularly the youth—to have a good understanding of the laws and create economic opportunity through financial support and professional training, specifically small business development training.
  • Inmates Assistance Project: These projects are designed to provide inmates with health assistance, help them overcome the trauma through counseling, and further their studies in technology literacy, marketing skills, and entrepreneurship development. These projects will also expand a prisoners’ freedom of religion, expression, and association.
  • Ex-prisoner’s projects: These projects assist in addressing ex-prisoners housing, educational and employment needs and help their reintegration into society. Projects will be tailored around the following: citizenship and human rights, entrepreneurship development, financial literacy and marketing skills, small and medium size business development, personalized rehabilitation plans, family reunification and re-entry in the workforce, worship and recreation opportunities, and community development.