about us

We know that the United States ranks #1 for the largest incarcerated population in the world. We also know that upon exiting prison, formerly incarcerated people are given one-way bus tickets or gate money to get to where they need to go. What we don’t know is: where does this population go and where do they end up after exiting prison?

Over 27% of formerly incarcerated people are unemployed—that's higher than the total U.S. unemployment rate during any historical period, including the Great Depression (Prison Policy Initiative, 2018). Formerly incarcerated people want to work, but face barriers to securing employment including stigma and restrictive laws. In order to render this invisible weight visible, we must get people to give a shit and take action.

With a focus on UN Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequality, Bound Project LA aims to empower college students to support businesses that believe in second chances. Even though we aren't policymakers nor employers, we are consumers that can use our dollars to cast a ballot for the kind of world we want, helping formerly incarcerated people reenter society by supporting the businesses they work at.

we, the people of bound project LA, believe in the importance of uplifting stories of formerly incarcerated people. the barriers to reentry go beyond the prison gate. we believe that second chances are not second rate. we give a shit about the truth. do you?

meet the team

We're a team of four Loyola Marymount University students. Although grouped together by chance, we all share a common goal to help formerly incarcerated people reenter society.

amanda

Marketing Major, Studio Arts Minor

Orinda, CA

Favorite Bound Project LA memory:

Visiting Alma Backyard Farms and seeing first-hand the amazing work that they are doing for the community and the impact that the organization has on each and every individual

faith

Marketing Major, APAM & ASPA Double-Minor

Claremont, CA

Favorite Bound Project LA Memory: Interviewing Jeff Korzenik, author of Untapped Talent

Marketing Major, Psychology Minor

Rye, NY

hannah

Favorite Bound Project LA Memory: Interviewing Louis at Alma Backyard Farms

peter

Marketing Major

Denver, CO

Favorite Bound Project LA Memory:

Interviewing Luis at ALMA and interviewing Jason Lester at the Colorado Coalition of the Homeless