TYSONS, Va.–In conjunction with Second Chance Month, PenFed Credit Union President and CEO James Schenck and NCUA Board Member Rodney Hoodvisited the headquarters of Bungee Obleceni in Philadelphia to meet with its founder and lead designer Darrell Alston.
The purpose of the meeting was to recognize and discuss the ongoing challenges that convicted felons face in finding careers after finishing their sentences, according to PenFed.
The White House named April Second Chance Month to raise awareness about the need for opportunities for convicted felons who wish to safely reintegrate into society. According to the proclamation, 600,000 individuals leave prison and re-enter their communities every year.
“I don’t think any of us would want to be judged for the rest of our lives by the worst mistake we ever made,” said Schenck, who is also CEO of PenFed Foundation. “The credit union industry is committed to serving communities, and this includes formerly-incarcerated individuals for low level, non-violent crimes, who have served their sentences. We can help support those who are determined to better their lives rather than withholding opportunities, a mistake which could perpetuate a life of crime.”
Six Years in Prison
Alston, who spent more than six years in prison for dealing drugs, is one of 19-million Americans with a felony conviction. He now faces costly car and life insurance, difficulty finding housing, getting approved for loans, or finding jobs in the fast-food industry, as a first responder, or in the military, among other industries.
“I’ll never be able to do any of that stuff simply because of what I did years ago,” said Alston. “I’m not saying every single person deserves the opportunity of a second chance, but I’ve met a lot of people that do.”
Added Hood, “Part of our national identity is grounded in the idea that America is a place where people can start anew. Darrell’s story is an example of how individuals, their families, their communities, and our society benefit when we practice forgiveness and extend redemption to those who sincerely repent past mistakes. The dividends are both spiritual and tangible. But far too often, hiring practices lack that quality of mercy. Otherwise qualified applicants are rejected, based on long-ago convictions for low-level criminal activity. Society has begun rethinking these punitive hiring practices, and I say it is about time.”
CUs Could Help ’10,000’
PenFed noted that while Hood was NCUA chairman the agency streamlined the process so credit unions can now more easily offer jobs to people with nonviolent criminal records. In 2019, the NCUA board moved to reduce barriers to employment for returned citizens whose low-level, nonviolent offenses had occurred far in the past.
“I can’t save everybody, but if I can save one or two, and 5,200 other credit union CEOs can do the same, we can give livelihood to 10,000 individuals who deserve a second chance,” said Schenck. “There are thousands – hundreds of thousands – of individuals like Darrell across this country. And it’s up to each of us to do our part to try to make a difference.”