Women Beyond Bars Breakfast

Description

In the past 30 years, corrections spending in West Virginia has increased at a rate more than 450 percent greater than K-12 spending.  This economic burden is due, in part, to high recidivism rates resulting from formerly incarcerated people facing challenges reintegrating into society and finding stable employment. By keeping individuals from returning to prison, states are able to save on average $15.5 million on incarceration costs.
 
We believe you can help reduce this economic burden on our state and gain access to a stable workforce.
 
Research indicates that employees with criminal records are more loyal their jobs, making company retention rates higher and turnover rates lower. Further, the federal government offers a tax incentive called the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for employers who hire and retain formerly incarcerated individuals. If a formerly incarcerated employee works at least 120 hours a year, a company can claim a 25 percent tax credit of their first year’s wages and 40 percent if he or she works 400 hours.
 
Join us for breakfast to learn more. RSVP: http://bit.ly/breakfast-simulation

During this breakfast, participants will take part in a simulation exercise provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, meet other employers and talk to community organizations that provide resources to formerly incarcerated people. 
 
Please share this invitation with others that you think may also be interested in learning more. If you have questions, please reach out to geah.pressgrove@mail.wvu.edu.
 
Did you know that 20 percent of the employees working for Ziegenfelder Frozen Treat Company in Wheeling have drug or criminal histories? Learn more about how they have engaged this workforce.
 
If you are interested in learning more about how incarceration is impacting our country, the Oct. 28 issue of The Washington Post Magazine was dedicated to the topic