Helping Prisoners Get a Fresh Start

PREP is designed to assist newly ex-prisoners in the community through an employment-based program that incorporates housing, mentoring, job training, and other services. As the lead agency, Primavera works with DK Advocates, Old Pueblo Community Foundation, YWCA, House of Neighborly Services, The Pima County One Stop and The Arizona Department of Corrections to assist 200 previously incarcerated persons each year.

High recidivism rates translate into thousands of crimes committed each year; successful re-entry has implications for public safety and community health. Approximately 2 out of every 3 people released from prison in the US are re-arrested within three years of their release; 90 percent are unemployed at the time. Employment is the most stabilizing factor in successfully re-entering society for prisoners.

By guiding individuals to find jobs and housing, Primavera helps ex-prisoners find the strength to move into a positive and successful life path.

PREP works closely with local employers interested in partnering with this collaboration. The benefits of partnering with PREP as an employer include:

  • temporary to hire options are available, with no placement fee;
  • on the job training money is available to help with training costs
  • there are federal tax credit benefits in hiring released prisoners
  • participants have more support and guidance than the average job seeker;
  • participants are counseled by social service professionals;
  • a Job Developer monitors progress and any potential problems

If you are an employer and are interested in learning more about the program and the options available to you, please call our Job Developer at 882-9668 ext. 103.

Other prisoner re-entry programs include

New Chance- Primavera partners with Jackson Employment

Interested in participation in PREP?

Eligibility requirements for PREP:

  • Must have no history of sex or violent offenses
  • Released within the past six months

Call for more information at 520-547-3341.

PREP provides participants with:

  • Job Leads
  • Employment IDs
  • Birth Certificates
  • Mentoring Support
  • Clothes for Work
  • Job-Related Tools
  • Bus Passes

Referral Entities:

Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) Parole Officers
The Pima County Jail
Federal Probation
Federal Halfway Houses
Pima County Probation
Pima County Superior Court, Drug Court
"Weed and Seed" Coalitions
Pima County One Stop Career Service Centers
State of Arizona Department of Economic Security
Community Partnership of Southern Arizona
Self-Referrals