Reflections on Washington Post article, “He spent 50 years fighting to leave prison. Now he helps others get out.”

by Gene Downing, Policy & Education Associate

Reentry into your community after incarceration can be incredibly difficult, as described in the recent Washington Post article, “He spent 50 years fighting to leave prison. Now he helps others get out.” As a returning citizen myself, I understand the barriers that Mr. Won’s article highlights far too well. And while Mr. Nole’s work is inspiring, no individual should have to singlehandedly provide support for the thousands of people coming home each year. Supporting reentry success must be a community-wide and collaborative effort.

No one should have to rely on the luck of the draw to find abenevolent helper like Mr. Nole. I was lucky to find mentors who opened doors to professional work following my release. But I know too many men and women who face discrimination and get rejected from jobs they are qualified for or housing they desperately need. Because of that, I made it my mission to create better opportunities for returning citizens in the District.

Most people from D.C. coming out of prisons and jail – more than 6,000 in just 2023 alone – struggle to secure jobs, housing, and transportation. While I want to help every one of those people coming home individually, much like Mr. Nole, I believe that we must also focus on breaking down barriers systemically. This is why I lead the D.C.-focused Second Chance Hiring Alliance, bringing together employers, workforce development programs, government agencies, and returning citizens to increase employment opportunities for those with criminal records.

Those who have paid their debt to society, like me and Mr. Nole, should be able to rebuild their lives after incarceration without struggling against systemic barriers or discrimination that ultimately make oursuccess less likely. But do you know who else is struggling? D.C. area employers are also having difficulty filling jobs. According to the Chamber of Commerce’s Worker Shortage Index, the District is rated “most severe” in terms of labor shortages. The virtually untapped labor pool of returning citizens iseager and willing to get to work, if only employers would let them.

I call upon those who read Mr. Won’s article to encourage their employers to join efforts like the Second Chance Hiring Alliance, to learn about the benefits of hiring returning citizens, and to ultimately openmore jobs to people with criminal records, so that everyone can be a thriving member of a strong DMV workforce. Visit www.scha-dc.org for more information.