City Budget
Some business that employ ex-offenders can now get a tax credit. Tuesday, Mayor Michael Nutter unveiled the Philadelphia re-entry program on his 100th Day in office. Any business that has hired an ex-offender since January 1, 2008 can apply for a $10,000 credit against their Business Privilege Tax for up to 3 years.
By Elizabeth Fiedler
 Listen Now [1 minute 6 seconds]
WHYY News, April 16, 2008
Mayor Michael Nutter hopes that encouraging businesses to give former prisoners a second chance will make sense to employers both financially and socially.
Nutter pitches the idea as a way to cut crime, stabilize family and save the cost of possible reincarceration.
"For people coming right out of prison, about 6 months before they're to be released they'll be told about the program and start to line up social service activities and training for that individual," explained Nutter.
"The goal of course is that shortly after they're released they'll be able to literally walk into an employment situation."
It's a good start says Kofi Asante from the National Comprehensive Center for Fathers. He helps ex-offenders transition into being responsible fathers, husbands and productive employees.
"Let's see if the proof is really in the pudding. Are the jobs gonna be really viable, are they gonna pay a wage so an individual can pay his child support and still live?" asks Asante. "Will the benefits be there? Will the PECOs and gas companies of Philadelphia really start to open their doors? Will this really be a serious move for the business community to open their doors?"
So far, the city has allotted $5 million for the re-entry program.
More information
The Mayor's Office for Re-entry of Ex-Offenders
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