In June 2023, The GEO Group, through the GEO Continuum of Care and in collaboration with GEO Board Member, Jack Brewer, began a partnership with Honest Jobs to significantly expand second chance employment opportunities for individuals returning to their communities from a GEO facility.
Honest Jobs is the nation’s leading fair-chance employment platform for those impacted by the criminal justice system. They have built a robust network of 1,300+ employers, as well as proprietary technology specifically to serve job seekers with felonies and misdemeanors. Their data shows that formerly incarcerated people find jobs up to 8x faster and 2.5x higher starting pay using Honest Jobs. Honest Jobs connects individuals with national second chance employers such as Koch Industries, Pepsi Cola, Amazon, Coca Cola, etc.
This partnership gives GEO access to an employment website for anyone being released from any GEO facility or program including U.S. Secure Services facilities and Residential/Non-Residential Reentry Programs.
Any individual participating in the program will have access to the following services through the website:
In March 2023, GEO’s Honest Jobs employment website was piloted to a small population of returning citizens and the program immediately demonstrated success in helping those individuals find a job. Donna Jacobs, Moore Haven Correctional & Rehabilitation Facility Program & Treatment Manager assisted GEO in piloting Honest Jobs.
“The partnership between GEO and Honest Jobs is truly building the bridge for resident success. Individuals now have the opportunity to go home employed,” said Ms. Jacobs.
Kevin Sabbath, a GEO Alumni member, feels Honest Jobs is more than a second chance. “Life has its ups and downs. I recently found myself between jobs, and like anyone else, I was filled with uncertainty and worry. I was provided the link to Honest Jobs, and within a few hours, I was back on track.” With his new job, Kevin aims to “pay the bills and pay it forward.” Kevin now meets with individuals releasing to the greater Orlando area and assists them with creating their own Honest Jobs accounts.
The lack of employment opportunities for returning citizens remains a primary factor that contributes to high recidivism rates throughout the U.S. At GEO, we understand that finding gainful employment can be a major obstacle for those individuals returning to their communities. As a company, we are at our best when we are helping those in our care reenter society as successful, productive, and employable citizens.
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