Justice Champion Spotlight: Basic Industries Owner Drew Patterson!

What is Basic Industries?

Basic Industries is a lumber remanufacturer located in Buena Vista, CO. We manufacture wood stakes, furring strips, cut stock, wedges, pattern and various other wood components, while also providing contract milling services. We sell to building product distributers in and around the Rocky Mountain region.

What led you to become an advocate for Clean Slate and second-chance hiring in Colorado?

I have always seen our production work and product line being a great fit for someone who needs an opportunity to show what they can do. Someone with no specific job skills can acclimate to our workplace with relative ease and gain valuable work experience. In addition, this gives our employees a new starting point of purpose and dignity and a place to be useful and productive with their time. The work we do, while partnering with the Buena Vista Correctional Complex (BVCC), has introduced us to the real issues facing formerly incarcerated individuals as they are transitioning back to society — in particular, finding these individuals good, reliable jobs. Clean Slate helps remove some of the barriers they face in their work, to regain their purpose and dignity, and to have the confidence to re-enter society.

Why does Colorado need Clean Slate?

These formerly incarcerated men and women have paid the debt that we as voters and community members have said they owe. If this is true, and the goal is for these individuals to then re-enter society, why are we continuing to punish them by making it more difficult for them to get back on their feet? Clean Slate helps remove current barriers to employment, which in turn helps these individuals pay off restitution, pay child support, and provide for themselves and their families. Colorado also needs Clean Slate to help bolster our state’s workforce. As a small business owner, I appreciate and benefit from the expanded labor pool that these individuals provide. Formerly incarcerated individuals can help fill the vacancies that many businesses in Colorado now face.

What is the business case for supporting second-chance hiring?

Colorado is facing a shortage of labor for many jobs in critical industries. In our town alone, men coming from BVCC are filling jobs that would otherwise be vacant in construction, tourism and service, and manufacturing. This is relieving some of the tremendous stress on local resources, and several of my fellow business owners have shared that hiring formerly incarcerated individuals has saved their businesses from closing.

At Basic, you’ve actually hired individuals from BVCC before they’ve been released. Can you tell us more about that?

The leadership of the Colorado Department of Corrections, Dean Williams & Jessica Warren, have a vision for doing corrections differently. They are looking to address the specific shortcomings of the re-entry process and specifically trying to improve people’s chances - rather than just recycling them through the system again. A key aspect of their approach is to give individuals who will be released relatively soon a chance to live in the Transitional Work Center. While living in this facility, these individuals can work full time jobs in the community - and be paid accordingly. They are able spend a small amount per month on groceries and clothes but the remainder is saved for when they are released. Re-entry comes with costs, and these savings are invaluable to help these individuals transition into housing, get a vehicle, pay off fines to get their licenses back, etc.

What do you do to support these individuals through that transition?

Each person coming through our doors has a unique set of circumstances that can make re-entry very difficult. We are learning that the greatest thing we can do is help them rediscover their purpose, dignity and humanity. They are coming from a system that is designed to remove value from the individual. As they earn a paycheck, they have a new sense of responsibility, they learn the specific ways they are able to contribute, and they develop a place of belonging and purpose. This also gives them time to interact with society and also make plans for their release - which can be difficult or impossible while incarcerated.

I am also building a list of companies (mostly in the Denver Metro area) that are willing to hire formerly incarcerated individuals, most of whom have been working in our community through the Take Two Program. As my employees’ release date gets closer I help them find a job that will help make their transition successful. On a very practical level, we also try to connect them with housing options, as this is another substantial barrier to re entry.

What are some of the benefits you’ve seen from second-chance hiring at Basic?

We make millions of quality wood stakes. But at the end of the day, wood stakes have no intrinsic value to me. However, every day I am thankful that the wood components we manufacture have offered myself, our company, my family and my friends a way to help formerly incarcerated individuals - as well as an opportunity to learn more about their situations and hear their stories. The dichotomy of showing people they have value, while they are incarcerated within a system that says they do not, has been a powerful dynamic to witness. It has been amazing to see what people do when they are treated with respect and decency.

What advice would you give other employers looking to become second-chance hirers?

Approach them with grace. While most of these individuals are looking to make measured change in their lives, but that it doesn't come without difficulties and disappointments along the way. Many of them do not have the support system they need to make good decisions - even when that is what they want the most. Their existing friends and/or family aren't typically supportive or encouraging of the very habits they want to change when they get released. I have an amazing family and supportive community of friends and I still need this same grace extended to me.

If you are willing to provide a good job, I believe you have the opportunity to help individuals become fantastic, reliable, hardworking and loyal employees.

When you aren’t working, what else do you enjoy doing?

I have been married to my wife, Laura for almost 9 years and have 2 girls, Elliott (6) and Shiloh (3). We moved to the mountains from downtown Denver a few years ago and have been taking advantage of all the outdoor opportunities we have here. We have been introducing our kids to the things Laura and I love to do: mountain biking, rock climbing, rafting, dirt biking, and hiking. We have found an amazing community here, and we love to host people and help them experience Buena Vista.

What’s a fact about you that would surprise people?

Many people see me being very social and clearly having no hair... but they would be surprised to find that I am an introvert who used to have quite a lot of hair (imagine blonde, shoulder length braids from my pseudo-hippie climbing/kayaking days).