GREEN ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM FOR INMATES, EX-OFFENDERS &

AT-RISK YOUNG ADULTS

National Symposium on

Greening Corrections

Bobby Clark, President

Sustainable Business Ventures

October 2012

Copyright 2012, Sustainable Business Ventures, Lexington, KY

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Our entrepreneur curriculum emphasizes the concept of Triple Bottom Line, which addresses people, planet and profit:

1. the impact or bottom-line of a business has on society and the community (people);

2. the impact or economic bottom-line on the environment (planet); and

3. every organization must focus on the economic bottom-line (profit).

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Green Programs Managed

►Bluegrass Goes Green – Bluegrass Area Development District

►Green Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (GEL-IN) - Lincoln Trail Area Development District

►Green Entrepreneur Program - Bluegrass Area Development District

►Green Entrepreneur Program - Southeastern Correctional Institution, Lancaster OH

Successful re-entry through Entrepreneurship

► For some ex-offenders,

entrepreneurship

offers new

opportunities for

successful reentry (video)

►Reducing recidivism and empowering ex-offenders to start their own businesses to create their own jobs is a great strategy that is being well received across the US. 4

PEW Center Study

In the March 2009, the

PEW Center’s, One in 31,

the Long Reach of

American Corrections

“The laws passed in 80s &

90s increased incarcerated

pop. reached 2.3 million

& 1 in 100 adults was in prison or jail.”

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PRI Report

►Venturing Beyond the Gates: Facilitating Successful Reentry with Entrepreneurship

► “Entrepreneurship has emerged as a viable alternative to traditional employment opportunities for disadvantaged and marginalized individuals all over the world.

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PRI Report

While researchers

agree that

self-employment

may not be a

viable option for

many individuals

leaving prison, the mere fact of the exposure to entrepreneurship training can factor in successful reentry to the community.

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PRI Report

► “For many, because

► entrepreneurial

► thinking is infused

►with the philosophy

►of empowerment,

► exposure to

► entrepreneurial training will reshape their perspective on their role in society.

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Southeastern Correctional Institution – Lancaster OH

►Ohio Green Prison Project

►Roots for Success

►Green Entrepreneur Program

8 Day Green Entrepreneur Course Outline

► 1. Entrepreneurship 101: Introduction Life Skills, and Personal Finances

► 2. Entrepreneurship 201

► 3. Green Practices and Environmental Issues

► 4. Expanding Triple Bottom Line Business Ideas

► 5. Business Plan Orientation and Financials

► 6. Introduction to Business Operations, Legal, and Human Resources

► 7. Business Plan Technical Assistance

► 8. Business Plan Technical Assistance / Business Plan Competition

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SCI Business Plans

►HVAC Repair

►Green Cleaning Service

►Military Parts Supplier

►GPS Chips for Kid Clothing

►Pick up Meals Service

►Technology Repair and Design Service

►Auto Repair

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► Liquidation Service

►Urban Garden Service

►Cosmetology & Hair Care

►Greeting Cards

►Bakery

►Clothes Tailoring Service

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Scenes from Southeastern Correctional Institution

Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP)

►PEP Video – click here

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PEP Venture Capital Pitch Day

PEP Facts ► Headquarters: Houston

► Offices: Houston & Dallas

► Prison: Cleveland Correctional Center

(GEO)

► Staff: 18

► Volunteers: > 600 / year

► Budget: $1.5 mm (80% for Programs)

► Funding: 95% Private and 5% Earned

Income

► Annual Audits 16

Program Services & Results ► Reintegration: Community of accountability and encouragement

► Transitional Housing

► Business Services

Entrepreneurship School (eSchool) & Executive mentoring

Access to financing

Employment (last 24 months)

Average days to employment: 26

100% employed within 90 days of release

Average wage: $9.50

Business Formation (since inception)

Businesses started: 82 Active today: 52

PEP Recidivism under 5%

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Direct Benefits to Texans

► Texans save over $5 million on each group of 150 PEP released graduates

Represents over 300% ROI in PEP

570 released graduates earn approx. $14 million per year in wages, spending an est. $9 million per year in local economies

Released grads generate almost $4 million per year in payroll, sales and income taxes

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PEP Business Plan Competition & Graduation June 10-11, 2010

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Making the Case with Correctional Programs

►“Green” business and jobs are relevant to prisoner reentry

►that IDAs are important tools for personal investment in reentry

►that “green” training and IDAs complement existing training and counseling programs

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Relevance of “Green” to Prisoner Reentry

►Low- and moderate-technology/skill job and business opportunities

►Apprenticeship programs complemented with ‘green’ training and certification

►Growth of prison industries prepares ex-offenders for start-up business and job opportunities

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Relevance of ‘Green’ to Prisoner Reentry: Low & Moderate Skills in

Each Sector

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Examples of Low & Moderate Skill ‘Green’ Jobs and

Businesses ►Weatherization

►Building retrofit component parts

►Manufacturing

►Landscaping

►Solar panel assembly and installation

►Plumbing & electrical helpers and apprentices

►Cleaning business using environmentally friendly products

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Relevance of ‘Green’ Component of Business Model to Prisoner

Reentry

• Job training and business planning can start

in prison (classroom & actual work)

• Apprenticeship programs can be

complemented with ‘green’ training and

certification

• Community-based transition programs can

align with workforce development programs

• ‘Green’ job growth faster than other jobs

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American Correctional Association Adoption of ‘Green’

Standard: August 1, 2010

►Standard: The program shall demonstrate that it has examined, and implemented, where appropriate, strategies that promote recycling, energy and water conservation, pollution reduction and utilization of renewable energy alternatives.

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Green Job Skills Training - Examples

► Skills training for growing organic vegetables grown and reduces the cost of purchases for food in the prison

► Inmates are taught benefits of composting and Vermiculture (worms) – reduces disposal costs

► Bicycle repair program donates bikes to low-income children in the community

► Solar panel installation – cleaning & maintenance

► Cleaning prisons using environmentally friendly cleaning products (growing public consciousness for home & business)

► Training on Hydroponics/Aquaculture and Aquaponics (growing vegetables and shrimp)

RecycleForce

RecycleForce Columbus is a social enterprise with the two-fold mission of recycling end-of-life electronics

and providing employment for persons reentering the community from prison based in Ohio

(www.recycleforcecolumbus.org).

Mission:

“Providing a pathway for formerly incarcerated men and women to successfully re-integrate into the workforce and become responsible, tax-paying,

productive community members & citizens through comprehensive environmentally sound and secure

end-of-life electronics processing.”

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More information

Bobby Clark, President

Sustainable Business Ventures PO Box 1367

Lexington, KY 40588-1367

859-227-0263

www.sbventures.org

sbvclark@gmail.com