How PEP Prepares Participants for Employment
More Than a Resume Finding a job after incarceration can be a major hurdle. PEP doesn’t just help participants build resumes. It equips them with the mindset, skills, and strategies to pursue meaningful employment and hold onto it. Employment is more than a paycheck. It’s a step toward dignity, stability, and self-worth. What the Employment […]
From Release to Routine: Building Structure After Prison
Why Routine Matters When someone walks out of prison, the freedom can feel overwhelming. Without the constant structure of incarceration, it’s easy to lose focus or fall into old patterns. That’s why building a healthy routine is one of the most important steps in successful reentry. Routine provides predictability, purpose, and momentum. It gives each […]
What Makes PEP’s Curriculum Different?
More Than Business Basics A lot of programs teach business. Some teach character. Others help with reentry. PEP does all three at once. That’s what sets the curriculum apart. Participants in the Prison Entrepreneurship Program go through a structured, intensive experience that doesn’t just build business knowledge. It reshapes identity, mindset, and behavior. The Core […]
Can a Criminal Record Hold Back a Great Business Idea?
The Idea Is There. What’s Holding It Back? You can have the plan, the pitch, and the passion, but when you’ve served time, some people still won’t see past the record. That’s the reality for many aspiring entrepreneurs coming out of prison. The idea is solid. The person is ready. The challenge? Getting others to […]
PEP at Thanksgiving: What Gratitude Looks Like Behind Bars
A Different Kind of Holiday For most people, Thanksgiving means gathering with loved ones around a dinner table. For PEP participants inside prison units, it’s not the setting that defines the holiday, it’s the perspective. Thanksgiving inside may lack traditional food or family visits, but it’s rich with reflection, brotherhood, and a deep sense of […]
What Is a Reentry Coach?
A Guide for the Journey Home Leaving prison is just the beginning. The first months after release are filled with challenges; housing, transportation, job searches, and reconnecting with family. That’s where a reentry coach comes in. A reentry coach is a mentor, guide, and accountability partner for someone transitioning back into society. At PEP, they […]
How Volunteers Grow Alongside Participants
Service That Transforms Both Sides At PEP, volunteers walk into prison units expecting to teach. They often leave feeling like they’ve learned something profound themselves. Whether mentoring a business pitch, sharing career insights, or simply listening, volunteers discover that transformation is not a one-way street. It’s mutual, and it’s powerful. The Role Volunteers Play PEP […]
What “One Day at a Time” Really Means in Reentry
More Than a Motto “One day at a time” is a phrase many people recognize, but for someone rebuilding after incarceration, it’s more than a saying. It’s a survival strategy, a structure for staying focused, and a way of life that promotes both patience and progress. At PEP, this mindset shows up in how participants […]
How to Get Healthcare After Prison: A Reentry Guide
Healthcare Is a Reentry Essential Access to healthcare is one of the most critical needs for individuals leaving prison. Without medical support, conditions go untreated, mental health can deteriorate, and reentry becomes harder than it needs to be. At PEP, we encourage participants to create reentry plans that include healthcare from day one. Step 1: […]
Why We Teach Long-Term Thinking in PEP
Short-Term Choices, Long-Term Impact Many men entering PEP have lived in survival mode for years. Their choices were driven by immediate needs, sometimes to protect themselves, sometimes to get through the day. Long-term goals felt out of reach or irrelevant. That changes quickly once they enter the program. Building a New Mental Framework One of […]
