…Taxes, public safety, education in public schools, transportation and many other services are affected by high recidivism rates, mass incarceration and long term poverty.
Creating just 100 jobs for this population would have an enormous positive economic impact on participants, communities and city and state budgets. Millions of dollars can be saved in state budgets for incarceration costs. New taxpayers are created instead of repeat offenders. Every job created would help reduce crime. “Nothing stops a bullet like a job” (Father Greg, Founder of Homeboy Industries, Los Angeles, Ca)
Job creation for this population would reduce the need for local government subsidies and increase local spending for goods and services. The following is a basic example of the economic impact of just 100 jobs created.
Direct and Indirect Cost of Incarceration – Per Person (all cost not included)
Annual Cost Of Bed Per Inmate: 31,286
Lost Wages Due To Incarceration: 8,737
Total Direct Costs: 40,023
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Indirect Costs:
Lost Child Support-1 year 2,849
Foster Care 21,902
Total Indirect Costs: 24,751
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Lost Federal/ State Income 893
Lost Payroll Tax (Social Security, 1,337
Lost Federal Unemployment 84
Lost State Unemployment 64
Total Lost Federal and State Income 2,378
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Total annual cost of incarceration per person: 67,152
Multiply x 100 people: 6,715,200
Purchasing power generated from employment: The first 100 jobs initiative:
19,200 annual/per person starting salary x 100 people = 1,920,000 paid directly into at risk communities per year in the form of paychecks.
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