By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Low earnings and unstable employment before incarceration may play a larger role in the cycle of imprisonment than previously understood, according to a new report from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) that tracks the work histories of nearly 170,000 people released from state prisons.

The report, Employment Before, During, and After Prison in California, found that many people entering prison had weak ties to the labor market, often working temporary, low-paying jobs that failed to lift them above the federal poverty line. Researchers said the findings underscore the need for stronger education, workforce development and employment programs to improve long-term economic outcomes and reduce barriers to successful reentry.

The study analyzed employment records for people released from California prisons between 2015 and 2019, examining their work histories before incarceration, jobs held while in prison and employment after release. Researchers found that nearly half of those studied never held a job outside prison during the period examined, while one in four had no recorded employment before, during or after incarceration.

“Policymakers have long sought to promote employment among released prisoners through policies and programs that reduce incarceration and broaden access to the labor market,” researcher Heather Harris stated. “This descriptive report provides previously unavailable information about employment before, during, and after incarceration among released prisoners with the aim of highlighting opportunities for improvement.”

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Before incarceration, about one-third of employed individuals worked temporary jobs. After release, that share increased to 42%, suggesting employment remained unstable even after returning to the community. The report also found that prison jobs generally paid about 40% less than the national average, and nearly one-third of incarcerated workers received no wages at all.

Researchers found that low earnings were common throughout the employment histories they examined. Only 28% of people employed before incarceration earned more than the federal poverty threshold in at least one year. Although that share rose to 45% after release, many workers continued to earn too little to achieve lasting financial stability.

The report also identified significant disparities, with Black workers earning an average of 38% less than White workers and women earning about 20% less than men.

Despite those challenges, the report identified several factors associated with stronger employment outcomes. Individuals who worked before incarceration were nine times more likely to find employment after release, while prison jobs, vocational education, college coursework and substance use disorder treatment were all linked to improved employment prospects.

“Our findings suggest that improving access to education, job training and employment opportunities before, during and after incarceration could strengthen labor market outcomes for formerly incarcerated Californians,” Harris stated.

The researchers said expanding evidence-based workforce and education programs could help break the connection between persistent low earnings and incarceration, while improving economic mobility and reducing the likelihood of future justice system involvement.

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic legislative leaders announced a final agreement June 26 on California’s $355.9 billion 2026–27 state budget, saying the spending plan preserves health care and other essential services while eliminating projected deficits through the next two fiscal years.

The agreement between Newsom, Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) balances the budget while maintaining investments in health care, education, housing, public safety and other priorities despite continued economic uncertainty and federal funding challenges.

“A balanced budget isn’t an end in itself — it’s how we deliver for Californians,” Newsom said. “This budget demonstrates responsible choices that protect our fiscal strength while continuing to invest in what matters most. In California, we support working families, create more opportunity, and build safer, healthier communities.”

The budget includes $300 million to lower health care costs, preserves $0 monthly health plans for many lower-income Californians, and helps offset higher insurance premiums resulting from the expiration of enhanced federal Affordable Care Act subsidies. It also protects funding for behavioral health programs and continues implementation of Proposition 1.

Other major investments include a record $2.4 billion in ongoing funding for special education, $5 billion for TK-12 schools, $500 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, $200 million for affordable multifamily housing, a $100 million Disaster Rebuilding Fund, and new funding to strengthen election security, voter outreach and protections against misinformation. The agreement also preserves free school meals, universal transitional kindergarten, universal preschool, summer school programs and childcare slots.

Limón said lawmakers worked to shield Californians from federal spending reductions while strengthening the state’s finances.

“Today’s budget agreement reflects our commitment to protect core programs and address our short and long-term financial future by building up our rainy-day fund and making responsible budgeting choices,” Limón said. “I am also proud that the Senate was able to secure critical funding for childcare slots, safeguard access to care, and take significant steps toward ensuring large corporations pay their fair share.”

Rivas said the budget “protects health care, preserves food programs, invests in housing at record levels and builds reserves to fight back no matter what Trump and Republicans throw at us.”

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By Calvin Naito, Special to The Post

On June 4, a national nonprofit named the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) – which aims to increase public construction contracting opportunities for small and historically underutilized businesses – held a day-long event in downtown San Francisco to rally supporters and build momentum to its cause.

It was attended by more than 100 individuals from public agencies, private firms, and other organizations committed to increasing contracting opportunities with governmental agencies, thereby creating more competition and lowering public costs.

The EIP event was held the Hyatt Regency San Francisco in conjunction with BuildIT, which aims to increase contracting opportunities for LGBT-owned businesses.

At the event, 16 entities signed the EIP pledge, vowing to take steps to increase public contracting opportunities in their spheres for small and historically underutilized businesses.

The pledge signees included Hub International, the Port of San Francisco, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, California High-Speed Rail Authority, the Port of Oakland, Robert Graham of Webcor Builders, Holder Construction, the Weitz Company, Sky Blue Builders, Hornblower, Swinerton, Luster National, Talson Solutions, Center for Community Wealth Building, and the Construction Contractors Alliance.

Following the workshop, BuildIT hosted a VIP evening reception honoring EIP, whose principals – Phil Washington, John Procari, and Rick Jacobs – accepted the award.

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The event also set in motion the coalition’s efforts to implement recommendations from EIP’s “Procurement for Prosperity: A Playbook.”

The Playbook is a practical guide for public agency leaders and procurement and contracting practitioners to grow the capacity of small and first-time contractors, strengthen competition, and deliver better value for taxpayers.

Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), a long-time EIP supporter, also told attendees, “This is about commitment.  This has been a life’s work. This is a tailwind moment.”

The event’s presenting sponsor was Hub International, one of the largest insurance brokerages in the nation, which was joined by partners Travelers Insurance and the State Compensation Insurance Fund.

After the pledge-signing ceremony, attendees participated in a workshop in which they examined the policies, practices, and programs needed to meet EIP goals, learned from practitioners, and identified next steps toward utilizing the Playbook.

Ingrid Meriwether, formerly of Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services (MWIS) and current president of Hub International’s Aligned Risk Management, MWIS, described the hard-fought lessons she and her MWIS team have learned over the last three decades administering contractor development programs (CDPs) for the City and County of San Francisco, Alameda County, City of Los Angeles, LA Metro, and other municipalities.

The CDPs help small and local construction firms win public infrastructure contracts with these government agencies.  The program provides bonding assistance, contract financing, technical support, training, and other services to underrepresented businesses funded by public agencies who seek greater contracting participation with these firms.

Merriwether said programs like these “break down systemic barriers, create greater fairness, and save taxpayers money by enabling more competition.  The contractor development programs have, cumulatively, over two decades, helped contractors access over $1 billion in bonding, supporting over $380 million in awarded contracts, and maintaining a loss ratio 250 times lower than the industry average – while saving participating municipalities more than $27 million in contracting costs as a result of enabling more competition.”

Rick Jacobs, EIP co-founder and co-chair urged attendees make plans to meet again in the near future “to continue building on this work, share progress on organizational commitments, and discuss how we can collectively advance the goals of the EIP pledge.”

For more information on the EIP and to access a copy of the Playbook, go online to https://equityininfrastructure.org/

Calvin Naito is communications manager for Equity in Infrastructure Project.

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