Every year, more than 640,000 people are released from U.S. prisons. For many, the return home is just another battle in their war with consequences. Traditional reentry programs focus on one individual at a time—but incarceration doesn’t just affect individuals. It affects entire families.
At Persevere, we believe that reducing recidivism requires a wider lens. Our two-generation approach supports incarcerated parents and their children simultaneously, addressing the root causes of intergenerational incarceration. The result? Less than 3% of our graduates return to prison, compared to the national average of 68% within three years of release (National Institute of Justice, 2018).
Through our work, we’ve discovered something powerful: when you heal families, you prevent crime.
The Overlooked Crisis: Parental Incarceration
Today, approximately 1.7 million children in the U.S. have a parent incarcerated in a state or federal facility (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2021). In total, more than 5 million children have experienced parental incarceration at some point in their lives (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2016). These children face a greater risk of:
- Emotional and behavioral disorders
- Academic challenges
- Homelessness
- Poverty
- Future involvement with the justice system
In fact, children of incarcerated parents are three times more likely to suffer from depression or behavioral issues (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2016).
Communities of color are disproportionately affected. One in nine black children has had a parent incarcerated, compared to one in 28 latino children and one in 57 white children (The Sentencing Project, 2022). The trauma of family separation contributes to long-term instability—unless the entire family receives support.
Why Traditional Reentry Programs Fall Short
Most workforce development models serve the individual: Training. Placing in a job. Hoping for a change. But the data tells us this approach isn’t working. Nationally, 68% of formerly incarcerated individuals are re-arrested within three years of release (National Institute of Justice, 2018). Job training alone doesn’t solve for childhood trauma, housing instability, financial insecurity, or lack of family centered services. Without coordinated support, returning citizens face overwhelming odds—and so do their children.
A Proven Solution: The Two-Generation Model
Persevere’s two-generation approach is grounded in one key truth: when families heal together, they succeed together.
For Incarcerated Parents
While incarcerated, Persevere participants complete over 1,000 hours of high-quality, in-demand technology training. Certifications offered include:
Web: AI, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, WordPress, Responsive Web Design, and Intro to React.
Software Development: Python, Git/GitHub, API integration, and software testing fundamentals.
Data and Management: Advanced Excel, SQL, Power BI, IBM Data Analytics, Google Project Management, and Agile/Scrum methods.
Our training is paired with trauma-informed therapy, life skills education, and comprehensive reentry planning. We don’t just train technologists—we help parents become stable, self-sufficient providers. The results? 87% of graduates secure employment within six months with wages ranging from $18–$35 per hour. That’s more than two to four times Tennessee’s minimum wage.
For Their Children
At the same time, Persevere’s EPIC Youth program provides:
- Mentorship from caring adults
- STEM enrichment and academic support
- Mental health services and trauma counseling
- Programs focused on confidence, coping, and connection
These services directly respond to the elevated risks faced by children of incarcerated parents, helping them build resilience and stay on track in school and in life.
The Integration Point: Family Reunification
When our programs converge at the point of reentry, families reunite on stronger footing. Parents return with job skills, emotional wellness, and a plan. Children reunite with caregivers who are better prepared to lead healthy, stable households.
Measurable Impact Across Six States
Persevere currently operates in Tennessee, Arizona, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Florida, and Nebraska. Across all sites, our two-generation model produces powerful, consistent outcomes. These aren’t pilot results—they’re proof points, sustained year after year in partnership with departments of corrections, employers, schools, and local nonprofits:
- Less than 3% recidivism rate nationwide
- Less than 1% in Tennessee specifically
- 87% job placement within six months
- $18–$35/hour average wages
Addressing Racial Disparities Through Targeted Services
Our Memphis-based program is one example of community-level transformation. With 94% of our Memphis participants identifying as Black, we’re directly engaging the communities most impacted by incarceration.
Research shows that Black children are more than seven times more likely than white children to experience parental incarceration (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2016). Our programming meets this disparity with culturally competent, community-rooted interventions.
A Smarter Investment with Long-Term Payoff
According to Pew Charitable Trusts, two-thirds of incarcerated parents are serving time for nonviolent offenses (2010). These are people who can re-enter society as workers, caregivers, and contributors. This is what public safety and economic mobility look like—when built on a foundation of opportunity, not punishment. The ripple effect of successful reentry extends far beyond the individual:
- Reduced spending on prisons and social services
- Increased tax revenue from employed individuals
- Improved outcomes for children and families
- Lower crime rates in communities where families stabilize
Join Us: Be Part of the Solution
The numbers are powerful, but behind every statistic is a story. A child who gets to grow up with both parents. A mother who rebuilds her life through technology. A family that stays together.
The path to ending mass incarceration runs through family restoration—and we have a model that works.
Here’s how you can help:
- Employers: Hire trained, certified Persevere graduates ready to work
→ Email: employers@perseverenow.org
- Employers: Hire trained, certified Persevere graduates ready to work
- Supporters: Donate to scale our impact and serve more families
→ Give today: www.perseverenow.org/donate
- Supporters: Donate to scale our impact and serve more families
- Partners: Bring Persevere’s model to your community
→ Learn more: info@perseverenow.org
- Partners: Bring Persevere’s model to your community
Together, we can disrupt generational incarceration and build a future where all families have the chance to thrive.
