What is The Business Case for Second Chance Employment Conference?

Over 600,000 people return from prison each year, with two-thirds of them recidivating within three years, largely due to limited job opportunities stemming from employer bias and inadequate access to evolving technology.

The Second Chance Conference aims to bring together various stakeholders including business leaders, academics, administrators, state leaders, and justice-impacted communities to discuss and explore pathways to sustainable employment for the pool of untapped talent among the 80 million Americans with an arrest or conviction record.

When and where is the conference taking place?

The conference will take place on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the Wharton School from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM ET.

Who is organizing the conference?

The conference is organized in partnership between the Wharton Coalition for Equity and Opportunity, Resilience Education | Wharton WORKS, Business Roundtable, & Second Chance Business Coalition. It is co-chaired by JPMorgan Chase & Co. & Eaton.

What topics will be covered at the conference?

The conference will explore labor market trends and the role that corporations and business schools can play in educating the business community and future corporate leaders on the benefits of second chance employment. Topics will include:

• The economic impact of second chance employment
• The pivotal role of local ecosystems
• Shifting the narrative around second chance employment
• Incorporating second chance initiatives into broader talent management strategy

Who should attend?

The conference is open to anyone interested in the topic of second chance employment, including business leaders, academics, human resource professionals, administrators, state leaders, and members of justice-impacted communities.

Is there a cost to attend?

No, there’s not cost to attend.  If you are interested in registering for the event, please click here.

Will there be updates provided leading up to the conference?

If you have additional questions or require accessible accommodations, please reach out to us at whartonceo@wharton.upenn.edu.