Recidivism, although difficult to pronounce, has a simple definition. It refers to the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend. The rate of recidivism in Kansas is about 35%, meaning just over onethird of individuals incarcerated in Kansas are likely to re-enter the system. Reducing that number is the goal of SoulCraft: Redemption and Empowerment, a nonprofit organization co-directed by 2013 Eureka High graduate Sage Gorman and his partner, Mr. Ansu Thomas.
SoulCraft has achieved its 501(c) (3) designation as a nonprofit, but the organization is just getting started. “At this point, we’re just trying to get our name out there,” says Gorman, who explained that SoulCraft’s ultimate goal is to work inside the prison system through a contract with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC). For now, the organization plans to use resources already available to gain momentum.
