From bars to breakthroughs: Why second chances matter

For formerly incarcerated women striving to rebuild, a rescinded offer is more than a setback—it’s a harsh reminder that rhetoric doesn’t always translate into reality.

Over the past year, I’ve taken calls from women I’ve mentored—formerly incarcerated and working hard to rebuild their lives. These are the moments that remind me why I do this work. Their voices, full of hope, share the same story: they’ve made it to the final stages of a job application. They’ve been upfront about their pasts, impressed in their interviews, and now they need one final thing: a reference from me, which I provide without hesitation.