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The United States is the world's leader in mass incarceration
Rebuilding lives Creating new pathways
Women offenders have special needs that often are not addressed during incarceration. As a result, transitioning from incarceration can be challenging and even impossible for many.
In 2021, there were roughly 228 women who returned to the Triangle area from state prison and in 2022, that number increased slightly to 232 (NC DPS - Office of Research & Planning, 2023). Also in 2022, there were more than 800 women serving their sentences on community probation throughout the Triangle area. Of both parolees and probationers, more than 80% were mothers of minor children and had the primary responsibility for their care prior to and following incarceration. Ex-incarcerated women are more likely than their male peers to experience higher levels of poverty, homelessness and abuse following a jail or prison term...making the post-prison transition much more difficult.
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Research suggests that focusing on the differences between female and male conduits to criminality as well as applying gender-specific interventions, results in more positive outcomes. In the end, the application of specialized practices in criminal justice reform equals greater success for women ex-offenders when attempting to re-establish new pathways to society. It is also proven that the implementation of community-based, gender-responsive practices contributes to lower rates of female recidivism which in turn benefits justice-involved women and their families, the community and society as a whole.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide employment opportunities to women who have been faced with incarceration and need help reintegrating into society and putting their lives back together.
Our Vision
Reentry Center for Women seeks to improve the quality of life for its clients while actively engaging the community to help advocate public policy change within the criminal justice system. These changes will help reduce the female prison population and ultimately keep families together.
Our Values
At the heart of everything we do are our core values. We believe in doing the right thing for our clients and continually emphasize our desire to improve life and increase individual motivation for ex-incarcerated women, while delivering our reentry program to the highest standard and regard for those who rely on us.
Hiring An Ex-Offender Could Help Your Business
Ex-offenders are valuable employees to businesses because they are ready, willing and able to dispel the negative stereotypes associated with those who have spent time in prison. In fact, ex-offenders are dedicated, hardworking individuals with responsibilities to their families and without a job cannot provide their most basic needs. Women ex-offenders in particular are highly motivated to regain custody of their children and obtaining employment is the first step to that process. Another reason why ex-offenders make great employees is due to the terms of their probation or parole which require them to maintain employment.
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So, what's in it for employers? The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a program administered through the government and which offers a tax credit to employers who hire individuals facing barriers to employment. Businesses that hire felons or ex-incarcerated individuals may qualify. The tax credit amount varies as well as depends on a number of factors. Interested employers may receive additional information by visiting the following link or copying and pasting the link into their Internet browser, https://www.commerce.nc.gov/grants-incentives/workforce-grants/work-opportunity-tax-credit
The IRS sponsors the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program and more information can be found by visiting https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/work-opportunity-tax-credit.
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For more information about hiring an ex-offender, please contact our Executive Director by phone, 919-348-9338 or email, contact.rcw.today@gmail.com.