Calling All Entrepreneurs!

We've got big events going on inside the Cleveland Unit, and we want you there!

We invite you to join us on Friday, August 28th for Venture Capital Panel. This event gives the participants an opportunity to pitch their preliminary business concepts to determine feasibility. As a panelist, you will provide feedback on their ideas before they commit to writing their business plans for the competition. If you are a business owner or entrepreneur, this event is for you, as it will challenge you to help our participants think through their business ideas.  The event will be held from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, August 29th, Class 12 will host Concept Day. Concept Day is a mostly one-on-one event with participants where you can "get your hands dirty" providing in-depth feedback regarding initial business strategies and feasibility. This event tests the participants on the practical application of the business concepts they have been learning in class in order to create a sound business plan. The event starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m. You can get more information about these events and RSVP by checking out our RSVP website.

Kicking-Off a Second Chance

Honest … caring … responsible … businessman.

What do these words have in common? Surprisingly they describe prisoners, specifically the new Class 12 recruits for the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. Not surprising, though, is that Class 12 is the biggest starting class in the history of PEP and will provide more than 70 men with a real chance to transform their lives.


The Class 12 Kick-Off event provided new participants one-on-one time with business executives, volunteers and graduates of past PEP classes. The event closely mirrored a family reunion rather than a prison event. Participants and guests hugged each other, danced in groups through their introductions and gave their personal testimonies on how PEP has changed or will change their lives.

Read More about Kick-Off
View Pictures from Kick-Off here

Outside the Wire

Our new monthly column will give you updates on PEP graduates as they make their way in the free world, outside the wire.

When Roberto was just a week into the PEP class in prison, he wasn’t sure what he had gotten himself into. His perception was that PEP was a skills upgrade program. What he had experienced so far was way beyond that. Even after making all the cuts to get in, he didn’t know if he was really ready for a life change. While sitting in the back row, avoiding interaction, he allowed his consciousness to simmer with plans of revenge for AK-47-inflicted wounds that almost killed him years earlier. Bitterness and distrust clouded his ability to appreciate how PEP could help him. When Ms. Rohr noticed his stance and sat down to talk with him, his response was guarded and dismissive.

She persisted and sought to listen. Always ready to gut-check a participant’s commitment level, she asked him to trust her and give the program a try for two more weeks. After that, he was free to opt-out. Upon hearing this, his guard lowered slightly. Her offer to understand him made him feel human.

Read Full Story Here

Straight from the Inside

Everything is new for Class 12 participants. From nicknames to business names, Class 12 participants are making their way through the challenging first few weeks at PEP. Check out their thoughts in their weekly journals, an excerpt of which is below:

"It is crazy how your outlook can change so quickly. A couple of weeks ago, I thought that when I left prison, I was leaving prison, meaning that I did not think that I would keep in touch with anybody I met here. I am now scratching that from the record."

Read More Journals Here