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Welcome to PEP

At PEP or Prison Entrepreneurship Program, we are dedicated to delivering the nation’s best outcomes in the prison re-entry field.

Our work empowers men to reconstruct their identities from tax consumers to taxpayers, gang leaders to servant leaders, and felons to community role models.

 
Man in a navy blue suit with an orange tie speaks into a microphone while standing in front of a large screen displaying blurred figures.

What is the Prison Entrepreneurship Program?

PEP is one of the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive prison entrepreneurship programs in the U.S. and has been influential in forming and structuring similar programs across the U.S.

 

We provide a holistic approach to prison rehabilitation. It begins inside the prison and continues post-release, a completely life-changing experience.

Our entrepreneurship boot camp and re-entry programs are proven solutions for preventing recidivism, maximizing self-sufficiency, and transforming broken lives.

 

One-on-one training with executive volunteers

Business plan mentoring with seasoned professionals

Highly challenging business plan competition

PEP by the Numbers

Numbers and metrics

Numbers and metrics

Numbers and metrics

Numbers and metrics

Numbers and metrics

Numbers and metrics

Community and
Careers

Community
and Careers

0

hours of post-release education

0

volunteer hours invested since 2007

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million annual savings to TX taxpayers resulting in 764% ROI on charitable gifts

Economic Mobility

  • 100% employment rate within 90 days of release
  • 500+ businesses formed by graduate entrepreneurs
  • 80% of graduates have active savings accounts with an average FICO score of 625 after first year of release.
  • Average time from prison to paycheck: 23 days
  • $122,5 million economic impact in Texas
  • $23,62 average
    $17,97 average wage after first
    $12,63 average starting wage.

Economic Mobility

  • 100% employment rate within 90 days of release
  • 700 businesses formed by graduate entrepreneurs
  • 80% of graduates have active savings accounts with an average FICO score of 625 after first year of release.
  • Average time from prison to paycheck: 28 days
  • $122,5million economic impact in Texas
  • $17/hr average starting wage
    $23 average after 1 year
    $28 average after 3 years

PEP Business

23% Construction

11% Transportation

8% Automotive

6% Landscaping

6% Personal Services

4% Home Services 

4% Apparel

3% Consulting

3% Business Services 

3% Food & Beverage

3% Moving Services

Post-release Support

We are committed to helping our PEP members every step of the way! 

These are some of the post-release services we provide.

Case management

Transition housing

Employment assistance 

Connection to social services

Our Mission

Transforming Lives

Restoring
Families

Rebuilding
Communities

Our #SecondChanceStories

“I got out December and a week and a half later I went to work. I’ve been doing just and I’ve just been pushing forward. I’ve been doing good. I’ve got a crew that I run, take care of them, treat them the same way that I want to be treated, don’t act any different, be a team member. I’m also starting my business that I’ve done my plan for in the inside, you know, I’ve got…, it’s on its way… I’ve got my business cards in, I’ve got some schooling to work on right now, I’m moving forward.”

Johnny R.
PEP Graduate.
“So, I stayed at the Caleb House nearly two years, I’ve been employed since then. I just started college; I’m pursuing my bachelor’s in psychology, but I couldn’t have done it without the help of PEP and of course my life caddie Mikey.”

Felipe C.
PEP Graduate.
“I graduated eSchool. I’ve been out 8 months; it’s going to be 9. I’m in college, my second semester for real estate. I started a job like a month ago, they already made me assistant manager. So, all the tools that you learn they are very effective only if you apply them right. Don’t give up, keep your head up!”

Joseph R.
PEP Graduate.

Are you ready to take action?

Join us so that together we can reduce recidivism, bring hope to families, rebuild communities, and give a second chance to those willing to embrace transformation, responsibility, and love.

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