Can Faith and Business Coexist in Prison?
A Shared Foundation of Values At the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, business and faith are not seen as opposites. They work together to help participants lead with both confidence and character. The program teaches strategic planning and financial literacy, but it also emphasizes values like integrity, accountability, and purpose. These principles are central to both ethical […]
A Look Inside PEP’s Business Curriculum
Building a Foundation for Success The Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) offers a comprehensive business education designed to equip incarcerated individuals with the skills needed to succeed upon release. This curriculum, often referred to as a mini-MBA, provides participants with practical knowledge and hands-on experience in business development. Curriculum Structure PEP’s business curriculum spans several months […]
How PEP Builds Confidence from Day One
Confidence Is the Foundation of Change For many incarcerated men, confidence is the first casualty of incarceration. Years of isolation, stigma, and regret can erode a person’s sense of self-worth. The Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) addresses this challenge head-on, beginning on the very first day. PEP’s approach is rooted in the belief that every individual […]
Why We Teach Business Ethics in Prison
Business Is Not Just About Profit At the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, we believe business education must begin with character. It is not enough to teach how to build a business. We must also teach why that business should be built on integrity. That is why ethics is woven into every part of PEP’s curriculum. From […]
How to Help Someone Reentering Society After Prison
What Are the First Steps to Help Someone After Prison? Start with stability. Housing, transportation, ID documents, and access to basic services are top priorities. Help your loved one: These early steps reduce stress and create momentum. How Can I Support a Loved One Emotionally After Release? Be present, patient, and consistent. Reentry is overwhelming, […]
What Is a Business Plan Competition in Prison?
Turning Ideas Into Action Behind Bars At the core of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program is a challenge that changes lives: the Business Plan Competition. This capstone experience gives participants the chance to take an idea from concept to execution inside a Texas prison, while gaining the tools and confidence to build a legitimate business after […]
Myth-Busting: What Most People Get Wrong About Prisoners
Breaking the Narrative The conversation about incarceration in America is often shaped by fear, stereotypes, and outdated assumptions. These narratives affect public policy, hiring decisions, and how returning citizens are treated when they reenter society. At the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, we work with men who are proving those narratives wrong every day. To move forward […]
Behind the Scenes: What Day One Looks Like in a PEP Class
A Structured Start The first day of a PEP class is focused, intentional, and unlike any other experience inside a correctional facility. Participants enter with questions and expectations. Many have heard that PEP is different. From the start, that difference is clear. Staff and volunteers greet participants by name. There are no titles, no formalities, […]
How PEP Transforms Inmates into Entrepreneurs
A Pathway from Prison to Purpose Entrepreneurship requires resilience, vision, and the ability to adapt. These are qualities that many incarcerated individuals have already developed through personal adversity. At PEP, we help refine those traits into tools for business leadership. Our process guides participants step by step, from incarceration to successful reentry, through education, mentorship, […]
What is the Prison Entrepreneurship Program?
Unlocking Potential Behind Bars At PEP, we believe in second chances, and we believe that transformation begins from within. Since 2004, the Prison Entrepreneurship Program has equipped incarcerated men in Texas with the character development, business training, and post-release support they need to thrive. More than a reentry program, PEP is a launching pad for […]
