Pioneer supports criminal justice-involved individuals with the services needed to successfully re-enter our communities. Our mission is to provide individuals with criminal histories the opportunity to lead healthy, productive lives.
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We believe that words are powerful and can be very stigmatizing and harmful when used to label our citizens who are or were formerly incarcerated. Let’s be clear, the individuals are first and foremost human beings!
We all need to remember that people released from prison or jail share common and descriptive names with everyone else in society to include: grandparent, parent, son and daughter, extended family member, friend, neighbor, colleague and employee. These are the only type of names that should ever be used to describe a person.
When talking about people who have been involved in the criminal justice system, here are labels to avoid and terms that are acceptable:
NEVER USE
|
Convict |
ex-Con |
Inmate |
ex-Inmate |
|
Offender |
ex-Offender |
Criminal |
Prisoner |
|
Felon |
ex-Felon |
Parolee |
Watch a Video about Pioneer
Pioneer Human Services is a nonprofit (501c3) social enterprise. One-hundred percent of our revenues are reinvested within the organization.
I am sharing my story with you on how Pioneer helped me build a path in life to move forward after my release from prison. There are many housing, employment and social barriers that formerly incarcerated people face....Read more >>
Pictured: Liz Welch, program supervisor, Snohomish Youth Residential Homes --------------------------------------------------- Mark was sent to the Cypress House, one of our three Snohomish Youth Residential Homes that....Read more >>
Ashlee has lived in Pioneer’s Rialto housing program in Tacoma for over a year now. She’s very happy with where she’s at now, both in housing and in her life in general. Ashlee has been able to turn the pain of her past....Read more >>