Job seekers with a criminal record face a difficult time finding employment. What's the best way to break into the workforce? For many, it is partnering with and developing an incarcerated population. We'll talk about how this can help both employers and those who are looking for jobs in this Q&A episode!

In episode 7 of the Prosperity after Prison Podcast, we welcome back our inspiring guest Belinda Potter. Our host Kyle Hannah and Belinda share insights about working with an ex-offender and incarcerated population, including details about the hiring process, the work environment, and how employing this population promotes prison reform.

Belinda speaks about the rewarding aspects of her job, such as being able to help ex-felons struggling with issues such as depression and addiction. In addition, the supportive, compassionate, and gracious team culture not only sets a clear example for the employees but provides the perfect work environment for Belinda and her colleagues. These factors among many others make Belinda’s job feel like a mission rather than a job.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

• Belinda describes the ex-offenders’ enthusiastic, hard-working, and dedicated work ethic. [05:00]
• The Rewarding Aspects of Belinda’s Job: one-on-one coaching and improving upon the ex-offenders and the incarcerated population’s prospects. [10:00]
• The Encouraging and Supportive Team Culture at Underguard: how Belinda and her colleagues support each other to overcome issues and hardships. [11:00]
• Belinda and Kyle share details about the hiring and interview process which is very similar to traditional hiring processes; anyone can apply with a few exceptions. [13:40]
• Kyle notes that the turnover and shrinkage rates are very low compared to traditional businesses as the ex-offenders and incarcerated population are motivated and dedicated to their jobs. [19:50]
• Underguard promotes Servant Leadership, a philosophy in which the goal of the leader is to serve; Belinda has embraced this philosophy fully. [27:26]
• Kyle explains why he was skeptical about employing offenders and ex-offenders at first but then realized how beneficial this business model could be for the business, clients, but especially for the inmates. [31:03]
• Kyle advocates for bigger companies to follow suit: it will help offenders and ex-offenders develop transferable skills, reduce crime rates and recidivism, among many other positive effects. [36:46]

Be inspired and be bold, this is the Prosperity after Prison podcast.

UNDERGUARD TELESERVICES

Website: ugteleservices.com

Facebook: @ugteleservices

LinkedIn: Underguard Teleservices

CONNECT WITH KYLE:

LinkedIn: Kyle Hannah

CONNECT WITH BELINDA:

LinkedIn: Belinda Potter

Facebook: Belinda Elrod Potter

QUOTES:

“I tell people all the time that my job is more of a mission than a job.” - Belinda Potter [01:35]

“It's just so encouraging to me every day, it makes it so rewarding to see those messages and how grateful they are for Underguard, giving them the...