Eradicate Recidivism Project
Our mission is to be a voice for those entangled in an unjust judicial system fighting to reintegrate into society.
It’s impossible to appreciate a problem, let alone solve it, without understanding its scope – the shape and scale of what’s happening. And a complex problem like mass incarceration, typically defined by the 2.3 million people incarcerated at any one time in America, requires substantial unpacking.
Atlas Corps Fellows
WHY ERP MATTERS
Recidivism and the unjust American criminal judicial system impacts individuals of color at an alarming disproportionate rate.
The Truth.
- There are more people of color, specifically black men, impacted by the criminal justice system every year.
- African Americans constituted more than 2 million of people in jail.
- If African Americans and Hispanics were incarcerated at the same rates as whites, prison and jail populations would decline by almost 40%.
- Nationwide, African American children represent 32% of children who are arrested, 42% of children who are detained.
- The highest rates of recidivism are among released prisoners within five years of release.
More than 50% of ex offenders that do not secure living wage or sustainable employment will reoffend within 3 years.
The financial impact of recidivism cripples black communities at a disproportionate rate.
The Cost.
- Nationally prisons and jails account for nearly $200 billion spent annually on public safety.
- The average cost of each instance of recidivism in Illinois alone is approximately $118,746.
- The impact of foregone economic activity of $20,432 per occurrence.
- Every dollar invested in recidivism programs would reduce spending on post-release incarceration by $4 to $5.
- A criminal record can reduce the likelihood of a callback or job offer by nearly 50 percent. The negative impact of a criminal record is twice as large for African American applicants.
The Solution.
- Ensure that checks & balances are enforced.
- Restore humanity of justice impacted individuals in the eyes of society and the eyes of the offender.
- Advocate for the reversal of spending to prevention and recidivism programs from prisons and jails that has increased at triple the rate of spending on Pre‐K‐12 public education in the last thirty years.
WHAT ERP DOES
The documented impacts of incarceration and the challenges of reintegration into social and family environments have largely been ignored. ERP will ignite the change we wish to see.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM CHECKS & BALANCES
ERP will empower individuals to standup for their constitutional rights in pursuit of fair and equitable treatment in the criminal justice system.
As a person of color, resident of a specific community or acquaintance of the two, you are presumed guilty from the onset by the judicial system. You bear the responsibly of proving otherwise, in-spite of constitutional rights that should uphold your innocence until proven otherwise.
Egregious acts of constitutional violations, legal system failures and systematic biases have become shockingly common occurrences resulting in individuals being unjustly entrapped the criminal justice system.
RECIDIVISIM PREVENTION
ERP advocates for ex-offenders to have equitable access to living wage job opportunities and create a safe space to seek and receive health and wellness support.
More than 50% of ex offenders that do not secure living wage or sustainable employment will reoffend within 3 years. The financial impact of recidivism is particularly crippling in black communities at a disproportionate rate, according to the 2005 Bureau of Justice Statistics studies. Nationally prisons and jails account for nearly $200 billion spent annually on public safety. The average cost of each instance of recidivism in Illinois alone is approximately $118,746. The impact of foregone economic activity of $20,432 per occurrence. To change this course every dollar invested in recidivism programs would reduce spending on post-release incarceration by $4 to $5.
By definition, the term “ex” means free of charges precedent. Ex-offenders are people that are free yet forced to serve an infinite term of lack and loss. We're working to restore humanity in the eyes of society and the eyes of the ex-offender. ERP's goal is to work with people for180 days starting before they are released from correctional institutions to help build their mental and emotional stamina in preparation for re-entry to life beyond prison.
ABOUT ERP
Imagining a just justice system
Eradicate Recidivism Project (ERP) is creating space for individuals, families, civic leaders and corporate entities to #MakeAmericaJust for all. We stand with every single person that has been victimized by those individuals who abuse their positions for personal power.
Too often people are at the mercy of systems that abuse principles that are undeniably #unjust. The abusive applications of the American criminal justice system that we see today has made a mockery of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitutional Amendments and Principles that we hold true.
We are taking a stand to give voice to the outcry of #unjust treatment ignored.
ERP is needed in part to combat the habitual issue of employers not hiring ex-offenders. Employers have the right to hire who they want for their business but the repeated denial of ex-offenders gainful employment based on the fact that they were incarcerated is discriminatory. Being classed as an ex offender causes a negative predisposition for employers.
We are raising awareness and presenting solutions for economic opportunity scarcity of ex-offenders and unspoken mental wellness issues - both of which can be triggers for recidivism.
ERP is fueled by the personal experiences of ERP Founder Eddie Ash entrapped in a unlawful imprisonment after an #unjust warrantless traffic stop orchestrated by the Springfield, Ohio Police Department.
Experiencing in real time the deeply entrenched systematic breakdown in constitutional rights and judicial checks & balances of the American criminal justice system, ERP poses the question, am I one of the two out of the five that don't get counted according to the Three Fifths compromise of 1787?
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100% OF NET PROCEEDS WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT
ERP PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES
OUR GOAL
To build & repair community, civil and social ecosystems that engage with the justice impacted.
Focus.
- Educate justice impacted individuals to become better self advocates on the inner workings of the criminal justice system.
- Build the mental stamina of individuals in preparation for reentry to life beyond correctional institutions.
- Empower youth to become future leaders through programs focused on character development, healthy living and entrepreneurship.
- Empower employers to create an inclusive culture for ex-offenders to reintegrate into workforce.
Tactics.
- Advocate for people impacted by the criminal justice system to receive adequate and fair representation.
- Support people on a path to mental wellness in preparation for release from correctional institutions.
- Provide the tools and resources to help prepare people to gain and keep jobs, take up trades and enter into vocational programs.
Goal.
- Be a resource for justice impacted individuals seeking integral, fair, and adequate assistance.
- Provide meaningful opportunities for ex-offenders to become self-sufficient through education in trades and entrepreneurship.
- Direct engagement with correctional institutions and halfway houses to deliver life, trade skills, and financial readiness workshops.
- Provide health and wellness services to address undiagnosed mental health issues.
EMPOWERING THE VOICELESS TO BE HEARD
6.6 M
PEOPLE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES - Bureau of Justice Statistics
215 YRS
TOTAL SPENT IN PRISON BY NINE INNOCENT PEOPLE EXONERATED IN 2018. - Innocence Project
80B
IS THE AMOUNT SPENT ON CORRECTIONS ANNUALLY. -
Prison Policy Initiative
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
January 18, 2020 · criminal justiceEvery year there are hundreds of people that are actually factually innocent that take a plea deal because the pathway to justice is broken. At every level our criminal justice system has been compromised and is now a plea system with no regard for innocence. Why would an innocent person plead...December 18, 2019Clear acts of defiance of the United States Constitution, Declaration of Independence The actions of detective Jason Via under the authority of Springfield, Ohio police department, in tune with the actions of Lisa M. Hoying under the authority of the Clark County Ohio prosecutors office clearly...November 24, 2019Prosecutorial Bias + Constitutional Violations What I have experienced is a testimony to the people of Springfield, OH and Ohio as a whole. Citizens must do their research on an attorney before you hand over your money. In regards to criminal defense, you surely must do your research of an...More PostsDROP US A NOTE
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Eddie Ash// Founder & CEO // Eradicate Recidivism Project // ERP// All Rights Reserved © 2022