Author: pep2022

The Role of Peer Accountability in PEP

A Culture of Responsibility One of the most powerful aspects of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program is not found in textbooks or business plans. It’s the culture. At the heart of that culture is peer accountability; a system that challenges participants to take ownership of their actions, words, and growth. This environment doesn’t just support transformation; […]

Why Listening Is a Leadership Skill We Teach Early

Leadership Starts with Listening When most people think about leadership, they picture confidence, communication, or decision-making. At PEP, we start somewhere else: listening. It’s one of the first skills participants practice, and one of the most transformative. Why? Because real leadership is about connection, trust, and understanding; none of which can happen without the ability […]

Who’s Hiring PEP Grads? A Look at Our Employment Partners

Employers Who Believe in Second Chances Every PEP graduate reenters society with the tools to lead, contribute, and grow. But that journey is only possible when employers are willing to offer a second chance. Fortunately, across Texas, a growing network of businesses is doing exactly that. These employers see the value in hiring men who […]

How PEP Reinforces Emotional Intelligence

More Than Business While PEP teaches entrepreneurship, its deeper impact lies in personal transformation. At the heart of that transformation is emotional intelligence; the ability to understand, manage, and express one’s emotions with awareness and empathy. It’s one of the most important skills a leader can have. It’s also one of the most overlooked areas […]

The Journey from Inmate to Investor

From Survival to Strategy For many men behind bars, surviving the day is the priority. Bills, budgets, and business ideas feel out of reach. But through PEP, the shift from inmate to investor begins; not at release, but inside the walls. The journey starts by reshaping how participants see themselves: not as broken or limited, […]

What Makes PEP Different from Other Prison Programs

Not Just Another Class Behind Bars Many reentry programs focus on education, job training, or personal development. PEP combines all three, and then goes further. Our model is not just about preparing someone for release. It’s about preparing them to lead. A Business Boot Camp Like No Other PEP’s in-prison program includes MBA-level coursework, real […]

Why Every PEP Graduate Is a Ripple Effect

Change Doesn’t Stop at the Prison Gates When a man completes the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, the result is more than personal growth, it’s a chain reaction. Every graduate of PEP represents more than an individual success. He becomes a catalyst for transformation across families, workplaces, and communities. Impact That Reaches Families First Many participants in […]

What We Mean by “Servant Leadership” at PEP

Leadership Starts with Service PEP is committed to developing leaders who lead differently. One of our core values is Servant Leadership, a philosophy that flips the traditional power model on its head. In PEP, leadership isn’t about control. It’s about humility, responsibility, and service to others. What It Looks Like in Practice Participants are taught […]

What Does Reentry Support Actually Look Like at PEP?

Beyond Release Day At PEP, graduation is not the end, it’s the beginning of a new chapter. Reentry is complex, and no one should face it alone. That’s why our post-release support is as intentional and structured as our in-prison program. The First 72 Hours PEP connects with graduates the moment they step out. This […]

Why We Talk About “Men of Honor” in PEP

A Culture of Accountability and Respect Inside PEP, “Men of Honor” is more than a phrase. It is a standard, a challenge, and a vision for who our participants are becoming. From the moment a man enters the program, he’s invited to step into a new identity, one rooted in integrity, service, and dignity. What […]