Jon Ponder | |
|---|---|
 Ponder in August 2020 | |
| Nationality | American |
| Criminal penalty | 5 years in prison |
| Criminal status | Pardoned |
Jon Donyae Ponder is an American thrice-convicted bank-robber who after his release in 2009 has founded the Hope for Prisoners program in Nevada which helps former prisoners to reintegrate into society.[1]
Ponder's work was put into the national spotlight when President Donald Trump granted him a pardon during the 2020 Republican National Convention.[2] The pardon was publicized shortly before Ponder was scheduled to appear as a speaker at the event.[3]
Life[edit]
Ponder grew up in New York City where he got involved with gangs as a teenager. He was first arrested for armed robbery at the age of 16.[4] In 2004, he was arrested for bank robbery in Las Vegas and sent to federal prison in Pennsylvania.[4][5]
Hope for Prisoners[edit]
In 2009, he founded Hope for Prisoners to enable former convicts to reintegrate into society, working with law enforcement (including the FBI agent who arrested Ponder) and local businesses.[3][4][5] According to researchers at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, between January and June 2015, 64% of participants of the program found stable employment while 6% of participants were arrested again.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ Schoenmann, Joe (April 23, 2019). "Hope For Felons Is Real In Nevada". Nevada Public Radio. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ^ Villarreal, Daniel (August 25, 2020). "Donald Trump Pardons John Ponder, Hope For Prisoners Founder Scheduled to Speak at RNC". Newsweek. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ^ a b Snell, Kelsey (August 25, 2020). "Ex-Bank Robber Receives Pardon Right Before His Convention Speech". NPR. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Juhl, Wesley (October 16, 2016). "Las Vegas-based program gives prisoners hope after release". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ^ a b Valley, Jackie (August 23, 2012). "Re-entry programs give former prisoners hope in the real world - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved August 26, 2020.