ore than 600,000 people reenter their communities from prison each year – but a staggering 62% are rearrested within three years and return to the penal system. Enter Turn90, a unique organization on a mission to improve life outcomes for men leaving prison.

By pioneering a prison reentry model with the potential to reduce recidivism and be replicated nationwide, Turn90’s groundbreaking therapeutic social enterprise reentry model – which also includes a screen-printing shop that’s a recent recipient of an apparel grant from S&S – could revolutionize how the U.S. addresses reentry challenges and give formerly incarcerated men a bright new lease on life.

Uphill battles for people just out of prison

People leaving prison often face specific risk factors that existing social services don't adequately address. While many services focus on issues like unemployment, homelessness and illiteracy, these aren't the problems that most directly lead to re-incarceration. Instead, a lack of social support, exposure to crime networks, lifestyle addictions and underdeveloped problem-solving skills are the key risks for these individuals. Unfortunately, if these issues aren’t addressed, even those with stable housing and improved circumstances are at a high risk of returning to prison.

One of the most significant challenges for formerly incarcerated individuals is finding employment. The stigma of a criminal record, combined with gaps in work experience and a lack of relevant skills, creates major barriers to securing stable, well-paying jobs. This employment struggle is a critical piece, as stable work is essential for reintegration and reducing the likelihood of recidivism.

Turn90’s approach is different. By offering a comprehensive program that includes cognitive behavioral classes, peer mentorship, social work support, and full-time paid employment, Turn90 addresses both the root causes of incarceration and the challenges faced after release. “We call this a ‘therapeutic social enterprise model of reentry,” says Amy Barch, founder and executive director.

“This model has the potential to change the entire prison reentry landscape. Social movements in recent years have proven a critical need and desire for real solutions like Turn90 to solve inequalities in our criminal justice system and our communities.” - Amy Barch, founder and executive director of Turn90

To date, Turn90 has assisted hundreds in successfully returning home from prison and helped cut rearrest rates by two-thirds. Only 5% of graduates have ever returned to prison – while 89% remain employed at a job placement for 90 days or more and 74% for 180 days or more.

Turn90’s unique backstory (with a print shop twist)

After recognizing the significant challenges faced by men leaving prison, Barch established Turn90 to provide a comprehensive solution that breaks the cycle of re-incarceration and improves life outcomes for successful reintegration.

A screen-printing company, The Turn90 Print Shop, was developed as a central part of this mission.

“The shop was a strategic component designed to provide transitional employment opportunities, integrating vocational training and employment support into the reentry process. This ensures that participants gain valuable work experience while receiving necessary support.”
- Amy Barch, founder and executive director of Turn90

Incarcerated individuals learn about Turn90 through their corrections department as they approach release. Turn90 offers a holistic approach to reentry by providing enrollees with:

●      Daily cognitive-behavioral classes to develop social, coping, and problem-solving skills

●      Supportive services delivered by social workers

●      Paid transitional employment in The Turn90 Print Shop

●      Peer mentorship by program graduates on staff

●      Placement into entry-level career jobs.

“Making a deep investment in a person’s emotional, social, behavioral and financial well-being gives them the skills to manage life differently, a pathway to legal employment, and an offramp from the incarceration cycle,” Barch says.

“Our single-site, immersive experience addresses both the risk factors correlated with incarceration and the external barriers faced upon release, offering a more comprehensive and supportive reentry process.”
- Amy Barch, founder and executive director of Turn90

A slew of success stories

Since Turn90’s inception, hundreds of formerly incarcerated individuals have enrolled in the program, with 78% of graduates remaining arrest-free, reducing national rates by two-thirds. Impressively, 89% of graduates remain employed 90 days or more.

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In 2017, Turn90 launched its print shop to tackle low job placement retention rates, quickly improving 90-day retention from 40% to 89%. By 2018, a Turn90 graduate joined the permanent staff, and now 40% of the staff are program graduates. This growth continued with a strategy in 2019 to open two additional centers in South Carolina. A process evaluation in 2020 confirmed that Turn90 was following the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) principles with fidelity, leading to the opening of Turn90’s Columbia center in 2021. Rearrest rates among participants remain under 25%, and in 2023 alone, Turn90 hired 135 men out of prison.

In 2022, Turn90 expanded further, to operate two locations in Charleston and Columbia. The organization doubled its staff, brought payroll in-house, revamped its client data system, developed a sophisticated bookkeeping system, implemented HR policies and procedures, onboarded an internal communications platform, upgraded its print shop software, and executed a major fundraising campaign. This work created a strong foundation for Turn90 and established a replicable platform for growth into a statewide and national organization. The next major milestone in this expansion plan is opening a third Turn90 center in 2024.

A man named Terrance is one of Turn90's most inspiring success stories. Initially unsure if he’d complete the program, Terrance not only graduated but also secured a job and later returned to run Turn90’s print shop. He was then invited to move to Turn90’s Columbia location to manage a larger shop, eventually becoming center director for the Columbia Center. “Terrance’s story is a testament to breaking the cycle of incarceration, providing a better life for his son, and showcasing the transformative power of meaningful work,” Barch says.

Turn90 serves as a vital link between men returning from prison and the business community, connecting companies committed to fair chance hiring with skilled, ready-to-work employees. The program's unique design merges a deep understanding of evidence-based practices with practical lessons from its start-up journey. This combination results in a one-of-a-kind approach grounded in both data and a close understanding of the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated men.

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Turn90's approach is rooted in the Risk-Need-Responsivity principles, the only validated model proven to significantly reduce recidivism. By targeting the right individuals, addressing their specific needs, and implementing effective interventions, Turn90 is making a meaningful impact on reentry success. “Starting from zero gave us the advantage of experiencing implementation challenges up-close and experimenting with solutions in real time,” Barch says. “In 2016 we pivoted from a pre-prison alternative to a post-prison reentry model, and re-arrest rates dropped 60% to 22%.”

How Turn90 used its apparel grant from S&S

S&S's apparel grant program donates $2,000 worth of apparel each month to community organizations across the country, making a meaningful impact locally.

Turn90 applied for the grant to participate in the Charleston Wine + Food festival, a major event in Charleston. The grant provided tea towels and aprons, which Turn90 used to create custom designs for the festival. Selling these items on-site allowed Turn90’s graduate staff to engage with festival-goers, share their mission, and break down barriers.

“The printed goods from the grant were crucial for our fundraising efforts,” Barch says. “The proceeds we generated went directly back into our social enterprise, helping us continue to support the amazing men we work with as they reintegrate into society.”

How you can help today

Although Turn90 serves a specialized market, screen printing is a skill you can teach in your shop to a wide audience with the right approach. “Shops interested in similar initiatives should consider creating detailed training programs and engaging with local government, law enforcement and corrections departments for support,” Barch says. “Networking with other organizations and seeking grants or donations can also be beneficial.”

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