Rafiki Bakari

I'm quite averse to the connotations of the word "give." It implies award as opposed to the ethic of "reward." Reward happens when an ex-offender leaves prison, determines within himself to betterment and self-sufficiency... Continue reading

From my experience, ex-offenders (and criminals in general) are very entrepreneurial. When you think about the make up of that group, you see mostly non-violent drug offenders. Drug dealing is entrepreneurial, just on the... Continue reading

When you talk about a cooperative, are you thinking of a business that is owned and operated by a group of formerly incarcerated people? I think that's a terrific idea! I realize that this subject in not something to joke... Continue reading

Entrepreneurship sounds great, and I support any efforts to promote entrepreneurship. The reality is that ex-offenders face obstacles in starting up their own businesses that other don't face. The main obstacle, of course,... Continue reading

The grants and loans that would be the source of financing for ex-offenders are the same ones used by non-offenders. A bank doesn't ask if you are an ex-offender, they ask if you have a bankable plan and some collateral.... Continue reading

I agree 100%. If the state is going to incarcerate 100's of thousands of people under the guise of "rehabilitation" they need to provide the means to that rehabilitation. Education and job training fits that mandate.

As the level of educational attainment goes up recidivism goes down. We need to insist the state provides real educational opportunities of all kinds for prisoners, and then just as equally insist that prisoners avail... Continue reading

Worthwhile as education and training are, unfortunately they won't solve this problem because far too many employers won't hire ex-offenders, no matter how well-qualified they are for a job. In this job market,... Continue reading