by Executive Director Andee Huxhold
Coming home after incarceration isn't just about staying out of prison—it's about building a life worth living. For many, that means finding a job, securing housing, and reconnecting with family. But what happens when every door seems closed? When job applications go unanswered? When financial stability feels impossible?
One of the biggest challenges for individuals exiting incarceration is economic survival. Without access to meaningful employment or financial independence, too many are pushed back into the same cycles that led them to prison in the first place. The reality is clear: if we want to reduce recidivism, we have to provide real economic opportunities.
Why This Matters to Me
As the Executive Director of Dismas House of Indiana, I witness these challenges firsthand every day. Economic barriers don't just make reentry difficult—they determine whether someone can truly rebuild their life. My work at Dismas House has only reinforced what research has shown: economic empowerment is one of the most effective ways to reduce recidivism.
I am currently completing my Master of Public Policy (MPP) thesis on this very issue, exploring how entrepreneurship and workforce development create sustainable pathways for individuals exiting incarceration. The data is compelling—when people have control over their financial future, they don't just survive reentry; they thrive.
The Limits of Traditional Employment
For years, workforce development programs have been the go-to solution for reentry success. But the truth is, a job alone isn't always enough. Studies show that individuals with criminal records face significantly lower hiring rates and, when they do find work, are often funneled into low-wage, unstable jobs.
That's where entrepreneurship comes in.
When justice-impacted individuals are given the tools to start their own businesses, they gain control over their own futures. Research has shown that formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs have lower recidivism rates and greater long-term success than their peers in traditional employment. Programs like the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) report that participants who launch businesses after release have a recidivism rate below 9%, compared to the Texas three-year average of 21.4% (pep.org).
Why Entrepreneurship Works
Starting a business isn't easy for anyone, but for someone with a record, it's often the best shot at financial independence. It allows individuals to build something for themselves, develop leadership skills, and tap into their creativity and resilience. More importantly, it shifts the narrative—from someone needing a job to someone creating opportunities.
Formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs are launching businesses in construction, landscaping, catering, graphic design, and tech—industries where they can use their skills and build something sustainable. With access to business training, financial literacy programs, and fair lending opportunities, they can turn an idea into a stable future.
Building a Future at Dismas House
At Dismas House, we've seen firsthand how self-sufficiency transforms lives. Many of our residents have incredible talents—whether in the arts, trades, or business—that, when nurtured, can become real career paths. While we continue to connect residents with second-chance employers, we also believe in fostering economic independence through skill-building, mentorship, and access to resources.
To expand these solutions, we're developing The Dismas Hub, a dedicated space where residents can access entrepreneurial training, collaborate on business ideas, and connect with community mentors. By providing these resources, we aim to empower our residents to take control of their economic futures and reduce the likelihood of returning to incarceration.
Looking Ahead: What Needs to Change
To truly support economic empowerment for individuals coming home, we need policy and community investment. This means:
Expanding entrepreneurship training inside and outside of prisons
Increasing access to small business funding for justice-impacted individuals
Passing fair hiring and licensing laws to reduce unnecessary employment restrictions
Supporting reentry-friendly business incubators and cooperative models
Economic empowerment is not just about survival—it's about ownership, dignity, and stability. If we want to create real pathways to success for those leaving incarceration, we have to do more than offer low-wage jobs. We have to provide opportunities to build, create, and lead.
Because when people have the chance to thrive, they take it.
References
Neumann, T. (2021). The impact of entrepreneurship on economic, social and environmental welfare and its determinants: a systematic review. Management Review Quarterly, 71, 553–584. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-020-00193-7
Pager, D. (2007). Marked: Race, crime, and finding work in an era of mass incarceration. University of Chicago Press.
Prison Entrepreneurship Program. (2020). Annual impact report. Retrieved from https://www.pep.org/results/
Western, B., Kling, J. R., & Weiman, D. F. (2015). The labor market consequences of incarceration. Crime and Justice, 28, 281-336.
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