At Alameda County’s Juvenile Justice Center, a dramatic transformation is underway. Once operating near its 300-bed capacity, the facility now serves between 42 and 60 youth—a shift driven by intentional reforms, collaborative leadership, and a strategic embrace of technology.

This episode of Second Chances at Work dives into how Alameda County partnered with Orijin to integrate a digital learning platform that does far more than deliver education. Orijin is now embedded into behavior management, skill-building, and reentry planning—helping young people earn privileges through positive choices and access high-quality educational content, soft skills modules, and workforce training.

Superintendents Albert Bañuelos and John Ebrahimi share how Orijin’s Incentive Engine motivates youth to stay engaged, meet goals, and demonstrate accountability. From GED prep to entertainment, access is earned through pro-social behavior. The result? Improved facility safety, calmer living units, and a stronger culture of growth.

The conversation also highlights the power of voice calls through tablets, which have replaced conflict-prone shared phones. With over 648,000 minutes logged, these calls provide vital emotional connections that reduce tension and encourage reentry readiness.

Reentry Services Coordinator Rakeya Cherry-Hill discusses how technology supports individualized case plans and cognitive behavioral interventions—helping youth stay on track from day one through release. She also shares a promising initiative to grant school credit for tablet-based programming.

Whether you’re a correctional leader, educator, or policymaker, this episode offers valuable insight into how Alameda County is redefining rehabilitation—and why they believe in sharing their success with others.

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In this inspiring episode, Arti Finn, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, sits down with Tanaine Jenkins—TEDx speaker, award-winning recidivism strategist, and national advocate for probation and parole reform. Her journey spans military service, banking, incarceration, and ultimately finding her voice as a national leader.

Today, Jenkins serves as Director of the Florida Safety Coalition and State Organizer for Reform Alliance, the nonprofit founded by Meek Mill and others after Meek’s probation case exposed deep flaws in the system. Since 2018, Reform has helped pass 18 laws in 11 states, creating real second chances.

Jenkins shares stories from her childhood in Jacksonville, her military service, and the financial struggles that led to her incarceration. But it’s her post-release journey that stands out. She explains the "second sentence"—the 33,000 invisible barriers justice-impacted individuals face after prison, from employment discrimination to blocked access to licenses and insurance.

She also breaks down the hidden traps of probation and parole: monthly fees, drug testing costs, and violations for things like crossing county lines to reach a hospital. It’s a system stacked against success—and one Jenkins is working hard to change.

But her story isn’t just about barriers—it’s about breakthrough. During the pandemic, she paid off nearly $20,000 in restitution by delivering DoorDash orders. She invested in herself, refined her public speaking skills, and began sharing her story—first at the Florida Capitol, then on the TEDx stage.

Today, she's leading change. In Florida, Jenkins helped push for SB 752, which rewards probationers with time off their sentences for maintaining steady work or earning credentials like a GED or vocational certificate.

Jenkins and Finn discuss what’s needed to break the cycle: fair chance hiring, mental health support, and ending the stigma facing returning citizens. Jenkins reminds us that justice-impacted individuals aren’t liabilities—they’re often the hardest-working people, if given a real shot.

She leaves listeners with this powerful message: "Starting over isn’t starting from scratch. It's starting with experience. Forgive yourself, make a plan, and know that your best days are still ahead."

Whether you're a correctional leader, policymaker, employer, or someone rebuilding after incarceration—this conversation is for you.

Tune in to hear Tanaine’s incredible story and be part of the change.

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In honor of Second Chance Awareness Month, this episode of 2nd Chances @ Work features the remarkable John “Divine G” Whitfield — the justice-impacted changemaker whose real-life story inspired the critically acclaimed film Sing Sing, starring Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo.

Divine G’s journey from wrongful incarceration to founding Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) inside New York’s Sing Sing Correctional Facility is a powerful testament to how creativity, self-expression, and community can drive personal transformation — and change lives behind the wall. As he shares in this deeply human conversation with host Arti Finn, Divine G’s leadership helped build a program with a 3% recidivism rate, compared to the national average of about 60%.

Listeners will hear how his passion for the arts sparked hope in even the most hardened individuals, what correctional leaders can do to support transformation, and why he believes love, patience, and purpose are the keys to rehabilitation.

He’s a train operator, published author, and former tour team member for Lil Wayne — and he’s still fighting to clear his name. Divine G’s story reminds us that transformation is always possible when people are given the tools, trust, and second chances they deserve.

Listen now and be inspired to see justice-involved individuals in a new light.

Learn more and support his fight for exoneration: FreeDivineG.org
Learn more about Orijin and our work to empower incarcerated learners: Orijin.works

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In this episode of 2nd Chances @ Work, host Arti Finn sits down with Solomon Baymon, Director of Roca Western Massachusetts, to explore how relentless engagement, education, and customized pathways are transforming the lives of high-risk young people—and ultimately increasing public safety.

A Springfield, Mass., native, Solomon spent 15 years in corrections, rising to Deputy Warden before making a bold move—walking away from his pension and career stability to join Roca. Now, instead of overseeing incarceration, he’s focused on breaking cycles of violence and recidivism by meeting young people where they are and helping them build real opportunities for success.

Roca’s Model: Persistence That Works

At Roca, engagement isn’t passive. Staff members knock on doors, show up relentlessly, and never give up—even when young people push back. Their model, rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), workforce readiness, and partnerships with law enforcement and courts, is proving that change is possible:

• 98% reduction in recidivism for young people who complete Roca’s program
• 40% drop in Springfield’s homicide rate in the last year
• Over 32,000 outreach efforts—proving that persistence and trust-building make a difference

In this episode, Solomon shares his journey from corrections to community intervention, explains why building trust with young people is key, and highlights the critical role of education, job training, and emotional regulation in successful reentry. He also delivers a powerful message to incarcerated youth, urging them to believe in themselves and take control of their futures by engaging in the resources available to them.

Why This Matters to Orijin

At Orijin, we share Roca’s belief that education, job training, and mentorship are essential to breaking cycles of incarceration. Like Solomon, we’re committed to meeting learners where they are and giving them the tools to create a new future. Every effort to engage justice-impacted youth is a step toward safer communities and brighter opportunities.

We applaud Solomon and all those working to empower young people in the justice system—because real change starts with people willing to show up, again and again.

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When we first featured Anthony Barwick II on 2nd Chances @ Work, we heard a powerful story of resilience and transformation. But behind his journey was a father who never stopped believing in him. In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Barwick Sr. to hear his perspective on the challenges of having both of his sons incarcerated at the same time—and the unwavering love that carried them through.

Anthony Sr., a military veteran, business leader, and funeral director, never imagined receiving the devastating news that his sons, Anthony and DeRon, had been arrested. The shock quickly turned into the painful reality of navigating the justice system, shouldering legal fees, prison visits, and the emotional toll of watching his sons serve nearly a decade behind bars. But despite the hardship, he made a promise: he would never abandon them.

His dedication made all the difference. Encouraged by their father, both Anthony and DeRon used their time in prison to develop new skills, leading to fresh opportunities upon their release—including Anthony’s successful dog training business, Privilege Paws. Along the way, Anthony Sr. faced his own struggles, from strained family relationships to the social stigma that cost him business opportunities. But instead of giving in to bitterness, he turned his pain into purpose, working to help others clear past convictions and rebuild their lives.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that second chances don’t happen in isolation—they require support, guidance, and belief. Listen now to hear Anthony Sr.’s inspiring journey and his message of resilience, redemption, and the transformative power of love.

Listen now on 2nd Chances @ Work.

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This episode was recorded when Orijin was still known as American Prison Data Systems.

In this episode of the 2nd Chances Podcast, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Arti Finn sits down with Kimonti Carter, an entrepreneur, educator, community activist, and social strategist, who currently serves as Chief Operating Officer.

Carter shares his powerful journey and lived experience—from receiving a life sentence as a teenager to his release in July 2022 after serving 25 years in prison. In this candid conversation, he offers his insights on:

• The role of social capital and the importance of building meaningful relationships.
• Advice for incarcerated and justice-impacted individuals seeking to transform their lives.
• His one wish to fundamentally change the corrections system for good.

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In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Anthony Barwick II, who turned a ten-year prison sentence into a thriving business with Privileged Paws, a mobile dog-training and care service.

Anthony shares how a dog-training program during incarceration became a lifeline, teaching him resilience and sparking his entrepreneurial spirit. From the challenges of reentry to launching the innovative "Pup Bus," Anthony’s story highlights the power of second chances, family support, and determination.

Tune in to hear how he transformed adversity into opportunity and what it means to build a future rooted in purpose and passion.

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Transformation is never easy for justice-impacted individuals, but with the right support system, it becomes possible. After serving 18 years in prison, Hassan Latif emerged as a leader, founding the Second Chance Center in Denver, Colorado. Today, the center provides critical support services—including mentorship, job readiness programs, addiction counseling, and housing—for justice-impacted individuals reentering society.

Hassan’s journey underscores the power of second chances and the importance of stability, both personal and structural. From starting his organization out of his car to now leading a multi-location operation, his story reflects resilience, accountability, and the value of strong community support.

In this episode, learn how Latif turned personal growth into action, using his experience to inspire others and address the barriers justice-impacted individuals face. Discover how he’s transforming lives through initiatives like building stable housing and advocating for legislative change.

At Orijin, we share Latif’s belief in the power of education and workforce development to break cycles of incarceration. Join us as we explore his remarkable journey and the lessons it offers for creating meaningful change.

Listen now to hear Hassan's inspiring story

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