How an Ex-Felon Is Helping Others with Their Second Chance at Life
Sep 6, 2021
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Jason Wang, CEO of FreeWorld and a formerly incarcerated individual, shares his transformative journey from prison to advocacy. He discusses the immense challenges ex-felons face when reintegrating into society, including systemic obstacles that hinder their second chances. Highlighting the importance of support and job opportunities, Jason emphasizes how his organization helps break the cycle of generational poverty. He candidly reflects on his own struggles and the need for heartfelt change in the penal system to foster hope and community for those seeking a fresh start.
Jason Wang's journey from incarceration to founding Free World illustrates the transformative power of education and support during reintegration.
The systemic challenges faced by ex-felons, including employment barriers, significantly contribute to high recidivism rates and ongoing poverty.
Free World's focus on job placement in high-demand industries demonstrates how meaningful employment can effectively break the cycle of crime.
Deep dives
The Challenges of Reintegration After Incarceration
Reintegrating into society post-incarceration presents significant challenges for individuals, as they often encounter barriers that make leading a normal life difficult. Many formerly incarcerated people find it hard to secure employment, with 27% remaining unemployed, and the criminal justice system imposes overwhelming requirements that contribute to recidivism. Statistics indicate that 68% of felons are rearrested within three years of release, reinforcing the perception that once individuals have been branded as ex-felons, they become trapped in a cycle of poverty and crime. This systemic issue highlights the need for supportive services that assist ex-felons in reintegrating successfully and breaking the cycle of recidivism.
The Impact of Jason Wang's Early Life
Jason Wang's childhood was marred by abuse and instability, which ultimately led him to seek belonging in a gang. Growing up in a dangerous environment with immigrant parents struggling to provide, Jason experienced trauma that facilitated his entry into the gang lifestyle. By 15, he was incarcerated for aggravated robbery, facing a 12-year sentence in a maximum-security prison. This transformative experience, marked by hardship and personal growth, became the catalyst for his later commitment to helping others with similar backgrounds.
Transformative Power of Education and Support
While in prison, Jason Wang's perspective shifted, largely due to the support and education he received, particularly from his mother. She advocated for his education by constantly sending him lessons and materials, which kept him engaged during his incarceration. This education became crucial for his transformation and reintegration into society, as it equipped him with the skills necessary for a successful transition. Wang's experience underscores the vital role that education and familial support play in enabling formerly incarcerated individuals to rebuild their lives.
Establishing Free World and Its Impact
After his release, Jason Wang founded Free World, an organization designed to provide support and resources to ex-felons seeking employment, particularly in the trucking industry. Recognizing the barriers faced by individuals with criminal records, Free World addresses systemic issues by training and placing individuals in high-demand jobs that offer living wages. The initiative boasts a remarkable less than 1% recidivism rate, demonstrating the effectiveness of providing meaningful employment to those formerly incarcerated. By focusing on job placement in industries with labor shortages, Free World significantly disrupts the cycle of poverty and recidivism.
The Ripple Effect of Second Chances
Through the work of Free World, Jason Wang has not only changed the lives of individuals who have completed the program but also influenced entire families and communities. By helping individuals secure good-paying jobs, the organization addresses systemic poverty and reduces the likelihood of future generations from becoming involved in the criminal justice system. The success stories of individuals who have reclaimed their lives, such as transitioning from incarceration to stable employment and becoming business owners themselves, exemplify the profound impact of providing second chances. This ripple effect reinforces the necessity of supportive frameworks for reintegration and highlights the potential for transformation beyond individual cases.
After getting out of prison, Jason Wang committed to helping ex-felons get jobs, end generational poverty, and re-enter society.
The United States’ incarceration system has made it nearly impossible for ex-felons to have a second chance at life.
From the minute they’re incarcerated to the minute they’re released, the U.S. justice system imposes the strictest and harshest of penalties. There is little support for felons once they return to life after imprisonment, and readjusting to society without support is extremely hard. Ex-felons are held to impossible standards during probation and expected to comply with an average of 18-20 requirements every single day — and 68 percent of felons end up being rearrested within three years of being released.
But there are people working to improve living conditions for ex-felons once they re-enter society. Free World is an organization working to end generational poverty and the chance of offenders reoffending, and is run by CEO Jason Wang, who is himself an ex-felon who was convicted as a minor. After leaving prison, he found it hard to readjust to civilian life — and now his non-profit works to get ex-felons into well-paying jobs to live life on their own terms.
Guest: Jason Wang, CEO of FreeWorld
Follow Jason on Twitter (@jasonwaang) and visit the Free World website (joinfreeworld.com) to support their work.
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