San Antonio District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo has submitted a Council Consideration Request calling for the City of San Antonio and Bexar County to create a Second Chance Workforce Initiative and Incentive Program. The program is designed to support residents with felony convictions, helping them reintegrate into society and access stable employment opportunities.
According to Chrysalis Ministries, Bexar County has a 60% justice-impacted rate, with District 5 home to one of the largest concentrations of individuals facing barriers due to felony records. In Texas, the conviction rate (84%) and incarceration rate (751 per 100,000 people) both exceed the national average, according to the Prison Policy Initiative Texas State Profile. These numbers indicate the number of individuals attempting to rebuild their lives, yet they continue to face systemic barriers to housing, employment, and stability.
The Sentencing Project reports that people with felony convictions face more than 44,000 collateral consequences after serving
their sentences. These lifelong obstacles can include the loss of voting rights, limited access to food assistance, difficulty securing housing, and limited opportunities for steady, well-paying jobs. For many, the punishment does not end with incarceration—it extends into every aspect of their lives.
Councilmember Castillo emphasized that addressing these barriers is key to safer, stronger communities:
“It has been proven that having these basic needs met limits recidivism. When people have access to meaningful jobs, stable housing, and the ability to provide for their families, our entire community benefits. This initiative is about reducing barriers, reducing recidivism, and building a safer, more inclusive city.”
The proposed initiative draws inspiration from the “Second Chance Hiring Initiative Case Study” by the Manufacturing Institute, which highlights the Toyota model of second-chance hiring. By implementing these strategies locally, Castillo hopes to expand reintegration opportunities, encourage employers to adopt second-chance hiring practices, and connect the local economy with a motivated and well-trained workforce.
The Second Chance Workforce Initiative is a step toward building equity, inclusion, and public safety in San Antonio. By removing barriers to employment and supporting justice-impacted residents, the program has the potential to strengthen both families and the broader community, while ensuring that businesses benefit from an eager and dedicated labor force.
