Beyond the Background Check: How Checkr and TLM are Redefining Second Chances for Formerly Incarcerated Americans

Background checks are often the barrier keeping formerly incarcerated Americans from employment, but a partnership between Checkr and The Last Mile is transforming that hurdle into a pathway to opportunity.

The Employment Trap for Formerly Incarcerated Americans

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans leave prison hoping to rebuild their lives, only to find most doors closed. For those who have worked to gain new skills and job training through programs like The Last Mile, the return to society should be a fresh start. Yet they face an employment landscape often unwilling to look beyond their past. A single background check can overshadow all progress, reducing individuals to outdated labels instead of recognizing their present qualifications and potential. 

Christina Louie Dyer, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Checkr, describes the stark reality: “It’s frustrating. For many employers, background checks are an instant disqualifier. But Checkr sees an opportunity to change that.” Through its innovative approach to fair chance hiring, Checkr—a company that built its foundation on background checks—wants to change how America’s job market views people with criminal records. By reimagining the hiring process, Checkr is working to make fair chance hiring more than a token phrase and instead a pathway for real change.

The Role of Checkr: Turning a Barrier into a Bridge

Background checks are standard practice in hiring. Traditionally, a flagged background check signals a perceived risk to the organization, automatically discouraging even the most qualified candidates from landing a job. Checkr, which partners with companies to perform these checks, is using its platform to educate businesses on why they should consider the person behind the record.

Dyer elaborates, “Being a background check company puts us in a unique position. We’re often the gatekeeper for hiring decisions, and we have the chance to reframe the narrative, to help companies focus on what these individuals can bring to the table.” This mission is about shifting corporate mindsets and creating a pathway where companies are comfortable hiring people based on their present potential, not their past.To that end, Checkr launched its own apprenticeship program in 2023, aimed squarely at equipping justice involved individuals with the skills and credentials they need to thrive in today’s workforce. The Last Mile (TLM) is a key partner in this program, providing a talent pipeline of former TLM students as well as subject matter expertise.The program offers a year-long, paid apprenticeship that grants Department of Labor credentials and hands-on experience within Checkr.

The Last Mile: Building Skills and Changing Lives

Founded to break the cycle of recidivism, The Last Mile trains incarcerated individuals in software development and digital media, giving them tools that transform lives on the inside and out. With a mission that intersects perfectly with Checkr’s, TLM has built a powerful case for the idea that real, skills-based training can lay the foundation for meaningful reentry. 

Dyer believes this partnership has underscored the importance of connecting training with real career pathways. “The difference is that with TLM, individuals leave prison equipped with job-ready skills and a sense of purpose,” she says. “It’s not just about hiring people. It’s about ensuring they have the support, training, and credentials that empower them to build a career.”

The impact of TLM’s training is felt both personally and professionally. Zach Moore, now a Senior Software Engineer at Checkr and a former TLM graduate, recalls the partnership’s power to bridge gaps. “I know firsthand what it’s like to come out of prison and face rejection after rejection,” Moore explains. “The problem isn’t skill. It’s stigma. Checkr and TLM are showing that a history isn’t a person’s identity. We’re trying to shift the conversation to focus on the present, on what’s possible.”

Bridging the Gap: How Checkr and TLM Create Pathways for Talent

Beyond the individual success stories lies a broader goal: transforming workplace attitudes about fair chance hiring. To do this, Checkr has committed to practices that benefit both the apprentice and the company. The apprenticeship program isn’t limited to technical skills; it includes general career skills training, networking, mentorship, and a cohort-based model to make stepping into the corporate world less daunting. But perhaps most importantly, it exposes business leaders to the often-overlooked talent and drive within America’s formerly incarcerated population.

Christina Louie Dyer explains that Checkr’s goal is to open opportunities that gofar beyond the program’s official end. “The aim is to create a program where people are not just hired but have career trajectories that lead to long-term success. It’s all about creating access to a sustainable, growth-oriented career,” she emphasizes. For companies, it’s an opportunity to tap into a resilient, loyal, and skilled workforce while building a reputation for social responsibility.

This human-centered approach is what makes the partnership so promising. For Moore, this focus on person-first values hits home. “If we’re willing to invest in career changers from other fields, why not invest in people who are making a complete turnaround in their life? The only difference is the journey that brought them here,” he says. “They bring the same dedication, sometimes even more so, because they know what it’s like to be without opportunity.”

Beyond the Boardroom: Inspiring Change Across Industries

Checkr and TLM are driving change from within, but the partnership’s reach extends beyond the walls of a single organization. The two are actively inviting other companies to adopt similar fair chance policies, challenging more businesses to see what can happen when they invest in people who are often overlooked. Dyer sees this as the natural evolution of the partnership. “The more companies that participate, the more talent will be given the chance to succeed,” she says. “This isn’t just Checkr’s goal—it’s a call for corporate America to think differently about how and who they hire.”

Moore, too, envisions a future where formerly incarcerated people are seen as valuable assets. He describes an informal network of TLM graduates, Checkr employees, and community allies who are already helping formerly incarcerated people get interviews, placements, and mentorships across the tech industry. “Imagine what would happen if we had more companies doing the same,” Moore adds. “The ripple effects would be enormous. Every company that participates makes it easier for others to see what’s possible.”

The partnership has also opened Checkr’s office doors to TLM’s graduates, providing opportunities where formerly incarcerated individuals can practice interviewing, meet industry professionals, and learn the ropes of the corporate world in a low-stakes, supportive environment. For many, this is a vital step toward building confidence and understanding what’s expected in a competitive job market.

A New Vision for Hiring in America

The collaboration between Checkr and The Last Mile is an inspiring example of what can happen when companies step beyond the confines of traditional hiring practices. Together, they’re proving that fair chance hiring isn’t just a trend but a long-term strategy that reaps mutual benefits. For justice-involved individuals, it’s the opportunity to prove their worth in environments that often feel closed off. For companies, it’s the chance to add resilient, hardworking individuals who have overcome incredible odds.

As this partnership grows, Dyer and Moore both envision a day when fair chance hiring is no longer the exception but the norm—a standard part of responsible hiring. Zach’s message to corporate America is clear: 

“When companies see justice-impacted individuals not as risks but as resilient contributors, it’s transformative. We know how to navigate challenges, and we bring a unique drive to every role. It’s not about lowering standards; it’s about unlocking potential and recognizing that people from all paths can bring incredible value.”

Learn more about Checkr by visiting their website!