The power of second chance

Post #259

1060 words; 5 minutes to read

Audio summary by student volunteer Kimberly Duong.

Post by Alexandra Gagnon, law student, University of Alberta

Summary:  This post looks at second chance options for those with a criminal record as supported by Emily O’Brien and her company, Comeback Snacks.  

La version française suit par la bénévole Rachel Cauver

Those leaving custody face many obstacles. Re-entering society after prison means new routines, expectations, and responsibilities like finding housing, securing IDs, and managing finances, all while dealing with the stigma of a criminal record. These challenges can make integration feel overwhelming and the prospect of rebuilding one’s life feel impossible.

The stigma associated with a criminal record is especially burdensome when it comes to finding stable employment. Employers often have systems, such as background checks, that reject people with criminal records, or they are influenced by biases that disadvantage these candidates.

Coupled with the lack of support and resources for those leaving prison, this can exacerbate a cycle of poverty and recidivism. Without a job, formerly incarcerated people can face additional difficulties in securing housing, accessing resources, and building a stable life.

Comeback Snacks

The good news is that people like Emily O’Brien are working to shift the narrative around people with criminal records, and to provide opportunities for those trying to make a comeback.  (Previous posts on Comeback Snacks can be found here, here, and here).

Emily O’Brien is the founder of Comeback Snacks, a business that is challenging the status-quo. Formerly incarcerated herself, Emily has set a goal of removing the stigma around individuals with prior convictions. Emily talked with volunteers of this blog to share her experience with the criminal justice system and the journey that brought her to start her own business.

Her Vision

Emily founded Comeback Snacks to challenge the stigma of a criminal record. Inspired by the creativity of the women around her in prison, who made popcorn with limited ingredients, Emily came to see popcorn as a “blank canvas” for self-expression.  Emily believes every kernel, like each person, is shaped by its environment and experiences.

I found popcorn really interesting and like a metaphor for myself and people that I met in prison, because every kernel of popcorn actually pops differently. If you put popcorn in a pan with no heat, it’s not going to pop. If you put popcorn in a pan with no oil, or the wrong oil, or too much heat, it’s going to burn. I like popcorn as a metaphor to explain that the social environment you’re in influences who you are as a person.

Fair Chance Hiring

Emily believes in the power of second chances. At the heart of Comeback Snacks is the “fair chance hiring principle,” which encourages employers to offer equal job opportunities to individuals with criminal records.

Meaningful employment for formerly incarcerated people can create an environment where they can regain confidence and successfully reintegrate into their communities. Emily is championing the power of second chances and the principle of fair chance hiring through her Comeback Catalyst Program.

The Comeback Catalyst Program

The Comeback Catalyst Program, is a three-month journey that connects formerly incarcerated individuals with entrepreneurship training, empowerment, and education. Set to begin in April 2025, the program is available across Canada to any adult was formerly incarnated at no charge. Applications to join the Comeback Catalyst Program is set to open first week of February. Interested applicants can go to the website and fill out their information or reach out to hello@comebackcatalyst.ca to apply.

The program will last 12 weeks and individuals will meet with the instructor and group weekly for 90 minutes. Individuals who participate in the program will gain access to a network of employers to help them find full-time work, and have access to mentorship, support, and tools to launch their own business. The goal of the program is to create economic opportunities and inspire lasting change for everyone that partakes in the program.

The Importance of Community and Support

Emily believes in the power of community and recognizes the importance of supporting and connecting with people who are on a similar journey.

Support networks offer emotional support, guidance, and a sense of belonging, and often play a critical role in successful reintegration. But connecting with others is challenging for those on parole due to conditions that limit access to crucial relationships and support systems.  The Comeback Catalyst Program aims to address this challenge by providing community support to foster resilience and long-term success for each of its participants.

Advocating for Systemic Change – Beyond the Business

Emily’s mission to help others make their comeback goes beyond her business and entrepreneurial program; she is also committed to challenging the systems that help create the problems. She has played a role in enacting important legislation, including Bill C-5 in Canada. It repeals mandatory minimum penalties for certain offences and promotes diversion for simple drug possession, addressing systemic inequities in the Canadian criminal justice system.

In sharing her story, Emily hopes to inspire others to find their purpose and make a difference, regardless of their circumstances.

 What I built didn’t start with popcorn. It really started with people, purpose, prison, passion. Popcorn came after, and popcorn then became the vector to all of those other more important things.

Emily is proud to be part of a movement that seeks to empower others and challenge outdated systems.

By challenging stigma, creating employment opportunities, and advocating for systemic change, Emily is paving the way for better outcomes after people exit the justice system. Her approach demonstrates the importance of compassion, understanding, and the belief in the power of second chances.

The Need for Broader Change

It is important to raise public awareness about the challenges formerly incarcerated individuals face.  Our conversation with Emily highlights the need for broader systemic reform within Canada’s criminal justice system. Resources should be directed toward supporting individuals transitioning out of custody by addressing housing, food security, employment, and healthcare. Programs must be continuous, starting during incarceration and extending through to post-release follow-up.

To learn more about Comeback Snacks, check out Emily’s website or her Instagram. To learn more about reintegration within Canada, visit the John Howard Society blog.

La version française

Les individus sortant de détention font face à de nombreux obstacles pour se réinsérer dans la société. La réintégration implique l’adoption de nouvelles routines et la prise en charge de responsabilités essentielles, telles que la recherche d’un logement, l’obtention de pièces d’identité et la gestion des finances, le tout en affrontant la stigmatisation liée au casier judiciaire. Ces défis peuvent rendre l’intégration accablante et donner l’impression que la reconstruction d’une vie digne est hors de portée.

La stigmatisation associée au casier judiciaire constitue un fardeau particulièrement pesant en matière d’accès à un emploi stable. De nombreux employeurs appliquent des procédures de contrôle, notamment les vérifications d’antécédents, qui excluent systématiquement les candidats ayant un casier judiciaire, ou sont influencés par des biais défavorables à leur embauche.

Le manque de soutien et de ressources accentue ces difficultés, alimentant un cycle de précarité et de récidive. Privés d’emploi, les anciens détenus rencontrent davantage d’obstacles pour obtenir un logement, accéder aux ressources essentielles et reconstruire une stabilité de vie durable.

The John Howard Society of Canada blog is intended to support greater public understanding of criminal justice issues in Canada.  Blog content does not necessarily represent the views of the John Howard Society of Canada.  All blog material may be reproduced freely for any non-profit purpose as long as the source is acknowledged.  We welcome comments (moderated) and suggestions for content.  Contact: blogeditor@johnhoward.ca