Bill Overview
Title: Prison to Proprietorship for Formerly Incarcerated Act
Description: This bill directs the Small Business Administration, in coordination with the Bureau of Prisons, to require the Service Corps of Retired Executives to provide entrepreneurship counseling and training services to formerly incarcerated individuals.
Sponsors: Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8]
Target Audience
Population: Formerly incarcerated individuals seeking entrepreneurship opportunities
Estimated Size: 3000000
- The bill aims to help those who have been released from incarceration, specifically by facilitating their transition to entrepreneurship.
- The services are provided by the Service Corps of Retired Executives, which is a nationwide resource available to all in the United States, thereby potentially impacting formerly incarcerated individuals nationwide.
- The global estimate focuses on countries with substantial prison populations and available reentry services. It assumes that similar initiatives might impact populations in other countries with interest in the bill.
Reasoning
- The policy targets formerly incarcerated individuals, aiming to offer them a pathway to entrepreneurship. The desired outcome is to reduce recidivism by providing opportunities for financial independence through business ownership.
- Considering the budget constraints, the policy must be efficient in its delivery, leveraging existing structures like the Service Corps of Retired Executives to minimize overhead costs.
- The program's success will depend on the ability to effectively reach the target population, which can vary significantly based on geography, existing support systems, and individual readiness to engage in entrepreneurial activities.
- As it is a national policy, it is possible to affect individuals across different demographics and socioeconomic backgrounds, leading to varied impacts on wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Unemployed, recently released (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've always been interested in cooking and have dreamt of having my own food truck. The support from experienced business mentors could make this dream feasible.
- Finding a job with my record has been really challenging. Entrepreneurship seems like a good path, but I'd need guidance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Part-time retail worker, recent release (Houston, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this program could really help people like me learn the business skills I lack and make something of myself.
- I need help understanding business plans and online marketing. It would be great to compete in the online market with the skills I'd learn.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Part-time janitor, released 5 years ago (Chicago, IL)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative might give me the push I need to finally open that shop. I know my way around cars, but running a business is a whole other thing.
- Support and advice from experienced mentors could be the difference-maker for my repair shop idea.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Unemployed, recently released (Miami, FL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about the future, but this training could be a game-changer for someone like me with no connections.
- I want to bring my clothing designs to life, and learning the business side is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired, voluntarily engaged with reentry programs (Rural Ohio)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- At my age, I'm more interested in giving back, helping younger folks avoid the mistakes I made.
- This program could provide the necessary framework to impact my community positively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Freelance artist, release over a year ago (New York, NY)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have the vision but lack the business acumen to realize it. This support could bridge that gap.
- Art is my life; a gallery would be an amazing opportunity if I can make it sustain.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Unemployed, trying to stabilize post-incarceration (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With a criminal record, starting a business seems daunting, but something like this could provide a real shot at a new start.
- Fitness transformed my life—it could be the basis of a successful future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Part-time caregiver, released several years ago (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be an opportunity to solidify the concepts I've been learning and bring my daycare dream to life.
- I believe my experience could help many working parents if I could start the business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired, volunteer work with other formerly incarcerated individuals (Detroit, MI)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This program may not directly affect me much, but it can enhance the lives of those I mentor, that's important.
- Any resource that makes reentry smoother is beneficial; I'd integrate it into my consulting plans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Recently released, seeking direction (Seattle, WA)
Age: 19 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm still young and open to possibilities; learning to code seems promising.
- This program might guide me to combine what I learn with entrepreneurship.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $16000000 (Low: $11000000, High: $21000000)
Year 5: $16000000 (Low: $11000000, High: $21000000)
Year 10: $18000000 (Low: $13000000, High: $23000000)
Year 100: $21000000 (Low: $16000000, High: $26000000)
Key Considerations
- The efficiency of the SCORE program in delivering tailored services to a specific demographic.
- Uptake rate and willingness of formerly incarcerated individuals to engage with entrepreneurship training.
- The ability of these individuals to successfully establish businesses and generate stable incomes.
- The scalability of the program beyond initial estimates to accommodate increased demand.