August 2, 2024 A Partnership To Help Returned Citizens Get Tech Jobs The Last Mile Classroom Formation is a company with an interview prep platform for software engineers aimed at diversifying the tech industry’s workforce. The Last Mile (TLM) is a nonprofit that works inside prisons, teaching coding skills like web development fundamentals and game programming to inmates looking to learn entry-level skills. Last year, they joined […] Read Article
August 1, 2024 Nonprofit Quarterly Interview with Kevin McCracken Nonprofit Quarterly sat down with Kevin McCracken, The Last Mile’s new executive director, to discuss the urgency of education and employment opportunities to combat incarceration and recidivism, drawing from his experiences as a justice-impacted, returned citizen.In this interview, Kevin emphasizes the importance of education and employment in reducing recidivism. He highlights the significance of rehabilitative […] Read Article
July 30, 2024 Ryan Leaf’s Visit to Montana State Prison Last week, former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf spoke to the participants of The Last Mile program at Montana State Prison, where he had previously been incarcerated, to share his journey. This visit marked his first time returning to the facility since his release in 2014. After his NFL career ended, Leaf faced a downward spiral, […] Read Article
May 31, 2024 AAPI Heritage Month and Justice Reform: An Interview with TLM’s Johnson Thieu May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the collective identity and diversity of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). But this month is more than just a celebration—it’s an acknowledgment of the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of the AAPI community. And for many, like those who have been justice-impacted, […] Read Article
May 31, 2024 How The Last Mile and Rhode Island want to lift people up, from prison to tech jobs Katie Mulvaney, Providence Journal This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: ‘This is my last chance’: How an ACI program wants to lift people from prison to tech jobs. CRANSTON – It’s a Friday morning just before noon and 15 men are quietly hunched over computers in the medium-security unit at the Adult Correctional Institutions. Occasionally, an […] Read Article
May 21, 2024 A Second Chance: One woman’s journey from prison to working for the Pacers By: Jessica Gruenling, WRTV INDIANAPOLIS — Each morning, Billie Edison drives to work at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. “I pull into the parking lot and I still get emotional,” said Edison. It’s a route she’s taken for almost nine months now for her job with the Indiana Pacers. “I cannot believe I’m coming to work for this organization,” […] Read Article
May 16, 2024 Stand Together’s Evan Feinberg on how dignity can reduce recidivism Recidivism is high. Empowering people and innovators would help. Evan Feinberg offers a principles-based approach to tackling over-incarceration and poverty. The country’s poverty rate has not budged in the last 50 years. Addiction is rising and 82% of people released from U.S. prisons are eventually jailed again. These challenges persist because society misjudges people and problems, Stand Together Vice President Evan […] Read Article
May 16, 2024 A mom of 7 in prison turned down early release. She now works for the Pacers. Billie Edison, a graduate of The Last Mile program at Indiana Women’s Prison, is now in the IT department for the Indiana Pacers. Learn more about her story from the Indy Star. Read Article
April 26, 2024 Criminal Justice Reform: A Human Rights Imperative Beyond Politics Why criminal justice reform is a human rights issue. Read Article
April 23, 2024 Billie’s Fair Chance: From Prison to Working at the Indiana Pacers Billie’s incredible journey from prison to a job at the Pacers. Read Article