Jeff Smith

Host

Entrepreneurship...in Prison?

Dec 18, 2013·164 visitors

Jeremy Gregg

Cohost

Stage· 257 messages

Dec 18, 2013

We'll discuss the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, a 10 year-old non-profit based in Houston that has reduced recidivism rates among its graduates 90% below national averages - and produced million-dollar business in the process!

Jeremy Gregg · 7:00 PM

Here I am!

Jeremy Gregg · 7:01 PM

Jeff -- Your comments are in the comments bar. That alright?

Jeremy Gregg · 7:01 PM

Hello everyone! THank you for logging on to our Tawk. I am grateful for your interest in learning about the Prison Entrepreneurship Program.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:02 PM

Regarding my background, I first began my relationship with PEP back in 2007. I then met one of our staff (Chris Quadri) and was amazed by the story that he was telling me about PEP.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:04 PM

Chris was very impressive as a business leader, and I was astounded by the clarity of his vision for transforming lives through the PEP model.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:04 PM

But what really shocked me was when I learned that he was a graduate of our program!

Jeremy Gregg · 7:05 PM

He invited me to join him in prison, and I am very grateful that I accepted his offer. My first event was a PEP graduation in 2007, and I met men at that day who remain dear friends of mine.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:06 PM

I then began volunteering in 2007 and joined the Dallas Advisory Board for PEP in 2008. I continued to serve as a volunteer until 2012, when I was provided the opportunity to join the staff.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:07 PM

I am privileged to now serve as the Chief Development Officer for PEP. I lead our efforts to share the PEP story with the world and to secure the resources that we need to expand our mission.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:07 PM

★ Spotlighted from Melvin Maltz

“Hello Jeff and Jeremy. Why do you work so hard for PEP?”

Jeff Smith · 7:07 PM

apologies for the technical problem

Jeremy Gregg · 7:08 PM

Great to see you Melvin! I learned long ago that when you find a job that you love, no day feels like work.

Jeff Smith · 7:08 PM

And I - as regular followers know, as a professor of public policy in The New School's urban policy grad program

Jeff Smith · 7:08 PM

and a former Missouri state senator

Jeff Smith · 7:08 PM

and a former federal prison inmate, in SE Kentucky

Jeff Smith · 7:08 PM

Ergo, my interest in PEP

Jeff Smith · 7:09 PM

so Jeremy: tell us from soup to nuts what PEP does

Jeremy Gregg · 7:09 PM

Thanks again for the invite, Jeff. I am still amazed at how I found you ...

Jeff Smith · 7:09 PM

u can tell that story too if you like

Jeremy Gregg · 7:10 PM

For those who don't know, Jeff gave an amazing TED talk about his experience in prison. I discovered that TED talk on my drive to prison one day. It was the day after I had given a TED talk of my own about PEP.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:10 PM

I was astounded to see that the universe was aligning in such fashion!

Jeremy Gregg · 7:11 PM

And while I should not admit this, I could not resist using my phone while driving to look up Jeff on Twitter. I messaged him, and within a few minutes he replied. Months later... he was our graduation keynote speaker in prison!

Jeff Smith · 7:11 PM

Haha. And it was one of the most moving experiences of my life

Jeremy Gregg · 7:11 PM

So for those who have not seen Jeff's talk, it is worth a few minutes of your time:

Jeremy Gregg · 7:11 PM

http://www.ted.com/talks/jeff_smith_lessons_in_business_from_prison.html

Jeff Smith · 7:12 PM

I watched a couple hundred inmates who were far better behaved, and more intellectually curious, than just about any group of grad students I've ever taught!

Jeff Smith · 7:12 PM

Jeremy: tell us about the 7-month process that led to what I saw

Jeremy Gregg · 7:12 PM

So, to Jeff's question on PEP. In brief ... we are a public-private partnership with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice that harness the power of entrepreneurship to transform the lives, families and future of incarcerated men.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:13 PM

We are a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit that receives $0 from the state, but we could not exist without our amazing partnership with TDCJ and the GEO Group (the private operators of the prison where we work).

Jeremy Gregg · 7:13 PM

So, let me back up to what happened to the guys whom Jeff met in prison before they were at graduation.

Jeff Smith · 7:13 PM

OK, so let's start near the start and take Sara's question:

Jeremy Gregg · 7:14 PM

Jeff Smith · 7:14 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sara DeConde

“Hi! Really happy to be here, thanks for your time. Can you talk a little about the application process for PEP participants? Is there an evaluation?”

Jeremy Gregg · 7:14 PM

Thanks Sara! Yes, happy to do so.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:14 PM

In Texas, there are over 154,000 people in prison. About 92% of them are male, which is why we currently focus on serving men.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:14 PM

Within this pool, there are about 10,000-12,000 who are eligible for PEP at any time.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:15 PM

Eligibility means they are getting out of prison in the next few years, they have not committed a sex crime, they are not involved in a gang, they have no major disicplinary case against them in past year (i.e. they have been following prison rules)

Jeremy Gregg · 7:15 PM

and they have their GED

Jeremy Gregg · 7:16 PM

Twice per year, we invite about half them to apply to be a part of PEP by first sending them a postcard about PEP.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:16 PM

So, 4,000 or so postcards go out twice per year.

Jeff Smith · 7:16 PM

and then there is a rigorous interview process, no?

Jeremy Gregg · 7:16 PM

We then get 2,000+ letters back from inmates asking for an application. These letters are at their expense.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:17 PM

We then mail them the application, which is aobut 20 pages long, and ask them to send it back. We get over 1,200+ who do so twice per year.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:17 PM

WE then send them a study guide (AP Writing Style guide, Business Vocab and PEP 10 Driving Values) to study and tell them that we will test them in 2 weeks.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:17 PM

We then arrive at their prison 2 weeks later with our version of the SAT

Jeff Smith · 7:17 PM

(Karen, we'll get to your q's in just a bit)

Jeremy Gregg · 7:17 PM

it is a 50-question Scantron test on the topics they studied

Jeff Smith · 7:18 PM

ok, let's finish up the app process so we can get to the meat of the program

Jeremy Gregg · 7:18 PM

we then interview those who score above a 70%, as well as some who score below but whose applications were very strong

Jeff Smith · 7:18 PM

which is amazing

Jeremy Gregg · 7:18 PM

we then interview them, and select the top 100-150 to start our program

Jeff Smith · 7:18 PM

OK, so once they're in, who do they meet?

Jeremy Gregg · 7:18 PM

So, it is easier to get into an IVy LEague school than to get into PEP

Jeremy Gregg · 7:19 PM

When they are accepted, the TDCJ transfers them to the Cleveland Correctional Center where they go through final interviews wiht "peer panels"

Jeremy Gregg · 7:19 PM

this is what is going on this week

Jeremy Gregg · 7:19 PM

as we speak

Jeremy Gregg · 7:19 PM

if they make the cut past their fellow inmates who are PEP graduates, they enter a three-step in-prison program

Jeremy Gregg · 7:20 PM

led by a PEP Graduate who is now on our staff, Phi Tran, as well as his team of fellow graduates such as Pat McGee (manager of prison initiaitves) and Michael Potts inside the prison

Jeff Smith · 7:20 PM

thank you Melvin - appreciate the support!

Jeremy Gregg · 7:20 PM

Step 1 is a 3+ month program focused on character development, about 20 hours per week

Jeremy Gregg · 7:21 PM

Step 2 is a 6-month business plan competition about 40 hours per week, ending with the graduation that Jeff keynoted

Jeff Smith · 7:21 PM

so the biz plan

Jeremy Gregg · 7:21 PM

Step 3 is the servant leadership program, in which graduates then lead the programs for the inmates who come behind them

Jeremy Gregg · 7:21 PM

yes, the biz plan

Jeff Smith · 7:21 PM

so look jeremy

Jeff Smith · 7:22 PM

when i was locked up

Jeff Smith · 7:22 PM

the dudes i met threw out biz concepts the same you'd lean em at Wharton

Jeremy Gregg · 7:22 PM

Jeff Smith · 7:22 PM

which is what inspired my TED talk

Jeff Smith · 7:22 PM

territorial expansion?

Jeff Smith · 7:23 PM

"when that muthaf**ka on the Westside got chalked I had my dopeboys out on the corner 'fo the body was cold"

Jeff Smith · 7:23 PM

and they understood new product launch, quality control, sales and marketing - in a very raw way, but they totally got it

Jeremy Gregg · 7:23 PM

Plenty of inmates have been successful entrepreneurs in the past. They understand profit margins, proprietary sales channels, customer retention .. they just had an illegal product

Jeff Smith · 7:23 PM

BINGO

Jeremy Gregg · 7:24 PM

PEP redirects that same drive into a positive channel where they can build legitimate enterprises

Jeff Smith · 7:24 PM

So you guys are harnessing those natural entrepreneurial skills

Jeremy Gregg · 7:24 PM

For example, nearly half of our recent graduates never even met their own father

Jeremy Gregg · 7:24 PM

so they never had that role model to encourage them

Jeff Smith · 7:24 PM

But some might ask - you guys are just a nonprofit, what do you know about starting a business?

Jeff Smith · 7:25 PM

how do you solve that one?

Jeremy Gregg · 7:25 PM

Every nonprofit is a business. We simply do not pay income tax. In every other way, we are a business. We have financials, we have customers, etc.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:25 PM

But yes, I get that a lot.

Jeff Smith · 7:25 PM

but wait

Jeff Smith · 7:26 PM

it's not you guys advising the prisoners - it's a bunch of C-suite execs too!

Jeremy Gregg · 7:26 PM

Absolutely.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:26 PM

We have had over 600 different executives volunteer in prison this year

Jeff Smith · 7:26 PM

OMG

Jeremy Gregg · 7:26 PM

Some of whom have built and sold very significant businesses

Jeff Smith · 7:27 PM

Jeremy Gregg · 7:27 PM

At PEP, career criminals sit eye-to-eye with entrepreneurs who have sold businesses in the 7- and 8-figures

Jeff Smith · 7:27 PM

how do you get 600 successful executives to even THINK about walking inside the fence?

Jeff Smith · 7:28 PM

★ Spotlighted from Karen Vander Molen

“What kinds of businesses have PEP grads started?”

Jeremy Gregg · 7:28 PM

Entrepreneurs are a remarkably generous group of people ... because they have seen how many people believed in them when they were beginning.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:28 PM

And yet, they are not interested in low-impact charitable programs that do not change people's lives

Jeremy Gregg · 7:28 PM

they like PEP because we are a results-oriented social enterprise, not a charity

Jeff Smith · 7:29 PM

that is such a great point. can you answer Karen's questions? I know I watched pitches for personal training companies, health food companies, and even a publishing company focused on prisoners' writing

Jeremy Gregg · 7:29 PM

KAREN - Thanks for the question. We have had 1,000 men graduate from PEP now, and the vast majority of their businesses are "main street" businesses

Jeremy Gregg · 7:30 PM

Tradesmen businesses like home repair/remodeling, car repair, lawncare, barber shops, restaurants

Jeff Smith · 7:30 PM

i saw corporate janitorial businesses, landscaping, barber shops

Jeremy Gregg · 7:30 PM

Shoe shine business, candy makers, print shops,

Jeff Smith · 7:30 PM

I saw a superb biz plan for a home health care company. and another guy who was planning a business making special safety helmets for guys who "frack"

Jeremy Gregg · 7:31 PM

A few occassionally propose something like an app or something that is a hyper-growth opportuntiy

Jeremy Gregg · 7:31 PM

And we occasionally have unique products/inventions

Jeff Smith · 7:31 PM

and Jeremy, the execs who nurture these guys come for a Shark Tank-like day near the end of the program

Jeff Smith · 7:31 PM

describe that briefly

Jeremy Gregg · 7:31 PM

but most of the businesses are the kinds of firms that provide the backbone to socity

Jeremy Gregg · 7:31 PM

society

Jeremy Gregg · 7:32 PM

Yes, we have monthly events in prison, and many follow a Shark Tank-like experience that is modeled after similar business plan competitions at leading MBA programs around the country

Jeremy Gregg · 7:32 PM

the guys stand in front of panels of executives and entrepreneurs to give a 2-, 5-, 7- or 10-minute pitch on their business

Jeremy Gregg · 7:33 PM

it begins with elevator pitches at the early stages of class and ends with a full pitch including financials, marketing, brand differentiation and capital needs

Jeremy Gregg · 7:33 PM

and the volunteer panelist are asked to respond as if they were making real investments

Jeremy Gregg · 7:33 PM

So, for example, we give them $10,000 in "PEP Bucks"

Jeremy Gregg · 7:34 PM

and tell them to vote with their dollars

Jeremy Gregg · 7:34 PM

the pitch that raises the most money wins

Jeff Smith · 7:34 PM

so I came and watched the finalists and Jeremy, I may have told you this, but the poise of the presenters exceeded that of most professors I have watched present their research at conferences

Jeremy Gregg · 7:34 PM

all of our guys take a Toastmasters class in prison

Jeremy Gregg · 7:34 PM

and pitch their plan 120+ times outside of these events

Jeremy Gregg · 7:34 PM

so yes, we are very focused on high quality pitches

Jeff Smith · 7:35 PM

and I know we're talking PEP bucks = Monopoly $, but isn't there also a mechanism for interested executives who volunteer to potentially actually invest if the business plans come to fruition once prisoners are released?

Jeremy Gregg · 7:35 PM

Yes, once they are released and stabilized, we have multiple channels for investing in their businesses.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:35 PM

The latest is through KIVA ZIP, which crowdfunds loans from people all over the world to capitalize our graduates' businesses.

Jeff Smith · 7:36 PM

wow, that's a great partnership

Jeremy Gregg · 7:36 PM

Loans are ZERO interest

Jeff Smith · 7:36 PM

and you have produced at least million-dollar business, no?

Jeremy Gregg · 7:36 PM

which is awesome

Jeremy Gregg · 7:36 PM

http://zip.kiva.org/loans/1929/i/ltsf

Jeremy Gregg · 7:36 PM

One guys is raising capital right now

Jeremy Gregg · 7:36 PM

You can invest as little as $25 and you will be repaid over a 2-year peiord

Jeremy Gregg · 7:36 PM

period

Jeremy Gregg · 7:36 PM

this is NOT a gift but a loan

Jeremy Gregg · 7:37 PM

Jeff, yes, we have produced 2 businesses that are now generating $1MM+ in annual revenue

Jeff Smith · 7:37 PM

what an awesome story to tell potential donors

Jeremy Gregg · 7:37 PM

one is a specialty auto parts company

Jeremy Gregg · 7:37 PM

the other is a demolition hauling company

Jeff Smith · 7:37 PM

(esp corporate donors)

Jeremy Gregg · 7:37 PM

and those are just the two we know abut

Jeff Smith · 7:38 PM

and isn't there a guy with a corporate cleaning service who's doing great?

Jeremy Gregg · 7:38 PM

there might be others, but as you can imagine our graduate entrepreneurs are hesitant to tell us how much money they are making

Jeff Smith · 7:38 PM

maybe in Houston?

Jeff Smith · 7:38 PM

hahaha

Jeremy Gregg · 7:38 PM

because they know I will ask them for some!!!!! :)

Jeremy Gregg · 7:38 PM

In fact, one out of every three gifts that we receive for PEP is from a graduate ... so we are serious about asking them to donate.

Jeff Smith · 7:38 PM

i'd be hesitant too, because then you'll hit them up for big bucks! (among other reasons more, um, real)

Jeremy Gregg · 7:38 PM

PEP: Transforming felons into philanthropists!

Jeff Smith · 7:38 PM

LOLOL

Jeff Smith · 7:39 PM

so f*cking cool

Jeff Smith · 7:39 PM

so look Jeremy

Jeremy Gregg · 7:39 PM

We have at least 2 or 3 graduates who have already donated $1,000+ this year

Jeff Smith · 7:39 PM

that's awesome

Jeff Smith · 7:39 PM

but look

Jeremy Gregg · 7:39 PM

You owe me push-ups for that, Jeff :)

Jeff Smith · 7:39 PM

let's be real

Jeff Smith · 7:39 PM

LOL - I do 500 a day regardless, habit i developed in prison, but I'll do an extra 100 for u J

Jeremy Gregg · 7:39 PM

I did 500 .... in the last five years. :)

Jeff Smith · 7:40 PM

but for real: bright and ambitious as most of these guys are, most won't start million dollar businesses.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:40 PM

true

Jeff Smith · 7:40 PM

but is there a broader impact you're having?

Jeremy Gregg · 7:40 PM

WE have released about 900 graduates and they have started 150 businesses

Jeremy Gregg · 7:41 PM

which is a higher rate of business starts than most MBAs focused on entrepreneurship

Jeremy Gregg · 7:41 PM

but the majority of our guys do not pursue their own business

Jeff Smith · 7:41 PM

that is amazing.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:41 PM

at least for now

Jeremy Gregg · 7:41 PM

HOWEVER, almost all of the ones who are working for someone else are working for a small business

Jeff Smith · 7:41 PM

(and we forgot to say why entrepreneurship makes so much sense for this population: because of the dreaded question on a job application)

Jeremy Gregg · 7:41 PM

not a big corporation

Jeremy Gregg · 7:42 PM

Yes, 40% of all ex-offenders are unemployed

Jeff Smith · 7:42 PM

i wish big companies in this country would set an example

Jeremy Gregg · 7:42 PM

For those who do find a job, they typically earn 20-40% less than they did before prison

Jeff Smith · 7:42 PM

i guess if you're a criminal, you can't get hired on Wall St, except for the CEO and CFO positions

Jeremy Gregg · 7:42 PM

So we believe that the best path to creating wealth is for ex-offenders to create their own economic opportunity through entrepreneurship

Jeff Smith · 7:43 PM

that's great. let's talk even more broadly about social impact

Jeremy Gregg · 7:43 PM

yes

Jeremy Gregg · 7:43 PM

Let me share one thing

Jeff Smith · 7:43 PM

work is a huge part of not re-offending

Jeff Smith · 7:43 PM

but family is another

Jeff Smith · 7:43 PM

u guys do anything there?

Jeremy Gregg · 7:43 PM

The solution to the problem of high unemployment among ex-offenders is to create more job opportunities for workers with a prior felony charge.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:44 PM

From our decade of experience at helping ex-offenders to secure employment, we have found that the most felon-friendly employers are those companies that are owned and operated by ex-offenders themselves.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:44 PM

Our Theory of Change: “A felon-owned business is a felon-friendly employer.”

Jeff Smith · 7:44 PM

makes sense

Jeremy Gregg · 7:44 PM

Therefore, we are focusing on creating more firms like thiks

Jeremy Gregg · 7:44 PM

**this**

Jeff Smith · 7:44 PM

the first research assistant i hired at The New School was a grad student who'd been locked up twice.

Jeff Smith · 7:44 PM

true.

Jeff Smith · 7:45 PM

anyway, you guys work to reunite offenders with families members who'd fallen out of touch?

Jeremy Gregg · 7:45 PM

Yes, very much

Jeremy Gregg · 7:45 PM

WE reach about 1,000+ family members per year

Jeremy Gregg · 7:45 PM

Including hundreds of children

Jeremy Gregg · 7:45 PM

who have about a 70% chance of following their father's path into prison

Jeff Smith · 7:46 PM

Oh man. that's great. saddest moments for me in prison were watching guys say goodbye to their kids at the end of visiting hrs, the kids being pulled off of them. tearing up just thinking abt it, esp now that i have kids

Jeff Smith · 7:46 PM

and what does this all add up to?

Jeff Smith · 7:46 PM

like, i assume you're tracking recidivism rates among grads?

Jeremy Gregg · 7:47 PM

Yes sir!

Jeremy Gregg · 7:47 PM

We reduce recidivism by 80-90% compared to the state average

Jeff Smith · 7:47 PM

whoa

Jeff Smith · 7:47 PM

and the TX state avg is, interestingly, about half the fed avg

Jeff Smith · 7:48 PM

so the standard of comparison is not easy at all

Jeremy Gregg · 7:48 PM

This means that every $1 that donors invest into PEP drives a $3.40 savings to the government

Jeremy Gregg · 7:48 PM

abslutely

Jeff Smith · 7:48 PM

holy s*it

Jeremy Gregg · 7:48 PM

you owe me more push-ups :)

Jeff Smith · 7:48 PM

up to 700

Jeremy Gregg · 7:48 PM

Many things drive this

Jeremy Gregg · 7:48 PM

but let me share what we have learned

Jeff Smith · 7:48 PM

In a perfect world, then, the state would join metrics-minded philanthopists in contributing to PEP

Jeff Smith · 7:49 PM

yes: sum it up for us

Jeremy Gregg · 7:49 PM

We have seen that, even for PEP graduates, they are TWICE as likely to return to prison if they go back home immediately after release than if they first move into a PEP transition house

Jeremy Gregg · 7:49 PM

so, you can do as much as you can inside prison, but the real work begins after release

Jeremy Gregg · 7:49 PM

we have to address the re-entry issue

Jeremy Gregg · 7:50 PM

PEP succeeds because we build a community of support and accountability aroudn the lives of our graduates

Jeff Smith · 7:50 PM

yep. forgot to even ask about these transition houses you guys are now running to help guys

Jeff Smith · 7:50 PM

Jeremy, one thing that freaked me out when i was locked up

Jeremy Gregg · 7:50 PM

that keeps them off the streets and away from bad influences

Jeff Smith · 7:50 PM

is that a couple guys started fights when they were just about to leave

Jeff Smith · 7:50 PM

because they were terrified of going home

Jeremy Gregg · 7:50 PM

o hyes

Jeremy Gregg · 7:50 PM

there is so much fear

Jeff Smith · 7:50 PM

i know that wouldn't make sense to most people.

Jeff Smith · 7:50 PM

but once you've seen it up close, it does

Jeremy Gregg · 7:51 PM

That is because many of them are returning to a deeply broken home where they might die

Jeremy Gregg · 7:51 PM

Especially if they've had gang involvmeent

Jeff Smith · 7:51 PM

and everything you guys do - from the application process thru the business plan and char development and the transition houses - helps prepare these guys to make it on the outside

Jeremy Gregg · 7:51 PM

or they are going to release from prison owing $40,000+ in back child support

Jeremy Gregg · 7:51 PM

so from day one they have an ax over their head

Jeff Smith · 7:52 PM

Jeremy

Jeff Smith · 7:52 PM

I gotta wrap this up but God bless you and PEP for the amazing transofrmative work you are doing

Jeremy Gregg · 7:52 PM

Appreciate that

Jeff Smith · 7:52 PM

it is so awesome to see a non-profit that is so results driven and so impatient with bullshit

Jeremy Gregg · 7:53 PM

800

Jeremy Gregg · 7:53 PM

Jeff Smith · 7:53 PM

that so many NPs get preoccupied with

Jeff Smith · 7:53 PM

HA! 800 my friend.

Jeremy Gregg · 7:53 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sara DeConde

“What is average age or age range of participants?”

Jeff Smith · 7:53 PM

Hey last thing:

Jeremy Gregg · 7:53 PM

Sara -- the rnage is basically low 20s to early 60s

Jeff Smith · 7:53 PM

if people wanna learn more about PEP, where can they go?

Jeremy Gregg · 7:53 PM

www.PEP.org

Jeff Smith · 7:53 PM

and real quick

Jeremy Gregg · 7:53 PM

or www.iWasInPrison.com

Jeff Smith · 7:53 PM

answer sara's q quickly

Jeff Smith · 7:53 PM

★ Spotlighted from Sara DeConde

“How many hours of instructional time do participants receive each week? When working on their business plans, is the process pretty individualistic or collaborative?”

Jeremy Gregg · 7:54 PM

Average age is mid-30s

Jeff Smith · 7:54 PM

my sense is that it's VERY collaborative

Jeremy Gregg · 7:54 PM

40 horus per week of college-level programming

Jeff Smith · 7:54 PM

I honestly was floored by how hard guys were rooting for one another

Jeremy Gregg · 7:54 PM

plus homework

Jeff Smith · 7:54 PM

awesome

Jeremy Gregg · 7:54 PM

plus they receive support from remote business plan advisors who help provide research since our guys cannot use Internet in prison

Jeremy Gregg · 7:54 PM

You can volunteer from your desk anywhere in the world: http://pep.org/advisors/

Jeff Smith · 7:55 PM

listen, thanks to everyone for joining us - and thanks so much to Jeremy Gregg for taking the time and for his amazing, transformative work.

Jeff Smith · 7:55 PM

hope you all get involved - it's easy!

Jeremy Gregg · 7:55 PM

By the way, check out this 2-minute video on PEP

Jeremy Gregg · 7:55 PM

http://www.givinglibrary.org/organizations/prison-entrepreneurship-program

Jeremy Gregg · 7:55 PM

And please share it!

Jeremy Gregg · 7:56 PM

Thank you Jeff and everyone who joined. See you in prison!

Forum · 15

Forum· 15 comments

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Karen Vander MolenDec 17, 2013, 4:08 AM

How many businesses have been started by PEP grads?

Karen Vander MolenDec 17, 2013, 4:09 AM★ Spotlighted

What kinds of businesses have PEP grads started?

Melvin MaltzDec 18, 2013, 7:00 PM★ Spotlighted

Hello Jeff and Jeremy. Why do you work so hard for PEP?

Rachael WorkmanDec 18, 2013, 7:02 PM

Hey Jeff it looks like you are logged on as a different Jeff Smith account

Rachael WorkmanDec 18, 2013, 7:02 PM

different picture and profile info... :)

Sara DeCondeDec 18, 2013, 7:08 PM★ Spotlighted

Hi! Really happy to be here, thanks for your time. Can you talk a little about the application process for PEP participants? Is there an evaluation?

Melvin MaltzDec 18, 2013, 7:17 PM

I have to go to work, proud of your efforts today

Sara DeCondeDec 18, 2013, 7:24 PM★ Spotlighted

What is average age or age range of participants?

Tawkers AdminDec 18, 2013, 7:35 PM

TAWKERS TIP: The Tawk grown beyond 25 Tawkers, which means forum comments now need 1 LIKE to be visible to the Hosts. Be sure to vote up comments you like!

Sara DeCondeDec 18, 2013, 7:37 PM★ Spotlighted

How many hours of instructional time do participants receive each week? When working on their business plans, is the process pretty individualistic or collaborative?

Sara DeCondeDec 18, 2013, 7:46 PM

Do you foresee any opportunities to adapt PEP to help chronic offenders not in prison? Like court sanctioned classes of some sort?

Andrei BermanDec 18, 2013, 7:53 PM

ughhhh I missed most of the task! NOOOOO. Such a great topic.

Sara DeCondeDec 18, 2013, 7:54 PM

Awesome! Thanks!!