The Last Mile

What The Last Mile does

The Last Mile (TLM), legally Turn 2 U Inc. dba The Last Mile, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 in San Francisco by venture capitalists Chris Redlitz and Beverly Parenti. The organization delivers in-prison technology education and workforce reentry support for justice-impacted individuals, operating in 12 correctional facilities across 7 U.S. states with 17 classrooms and approximately 300 current students. Its core programming consists of a Web Development curriculum (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Node, Express, MongoDB, MySQL, Git) and an Audio and Video Production Program delivered in partnership with SiriusXM, LinkedIn Learning, and Avid Technology, augmented by a first-of-its-kind Chromebook Initiative that allows students to take laptops to their housing units, an AI-powered training simulator, and a 2025 expansion into skilled trades (roofing, solar installation).

The underlying technology stack is a secure, cloud-based curriculum and operations platform purpose-built for correctional environments without internet access, incorporating VS Code, GitLab, MongoDB, DevDocs, and a custom LMS. In 2024 TLM introduced a Service Delivery Platform that packages this secure ecosystem—real-time and virtual instruction, intake-to-reentry data tracking, and outcomes reporting—for other educational organizations to deploy inside facilities, effectively converting TLM's operating model into a licensable national platform. TLM supplements in-prison education with post-release Workforce Reentry services, including fair-chance hiring partnerships and mentorship, and runs a Turn2U Scholarship Program for children of participants.

TLM's business model is donation- and grant-based rather than revenue-generating: the organization is funded by individuals, foundations, and corporate partners (notably Google.org, the Gianforte Family Foundation, Stand Together Foundation, Bank of America, Apple, Slack, GitLab, and Verizon) and delivers all programs free of charge to participants. Go-to-market operates on two axes: (1) institutional sales to state Departments of Corrections (CDCR, Indiana DOC, Michigan DOC, North Dakota DOC, Montana DOC, Kansas DOC, Oklahoma DOC, and Massachusetts) for facility access, and (2) B2B partnerships with fair-chance employers (Checkr, Apple, Bank of America, Formation, Indiana Pacers) for graduate placement. Reported outcomes include a 75% employment rate for returned citizens, <5% recidivism (versus a 61% national benchmark), and 1,600+ alumni trained since inception.

Name

The Last Mile

Legal name

Turn 2 U Inc. dba The Last Mile

Website

https://thelastmile.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Last Mile is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 that delivers in-prison technology education (web development, audio/video production) and workforce reentry support to justice-impacted individuals across 12 correctional facilities in 7 U.S. states, funded by corporate and foundation donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Correctional Education and Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Reentry, Rehabilitation & Reintegration Programs (Education, Vocational, Case Management) (BPAKANAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time) (BPAEANAE), Corrections & Reentry Adult Literacy (Justice-Involved Learners) (EDAAAAAL)

Keywords

• Correctional education programs
• In-prison technology training
• Workforce reentry services
• Fair chance hiring
• Nonprofit rehabilitation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Last Mile relies on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners. Funding sources include Google.org, Gianforte Family Foundation, and other philanthropic organizations.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Last Mile delivers in-prison technology education and post-release workforce reentry support to justice-impacted individuals, free of charge to participants. Its core training is a web development and software engineering curriculum (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Node, Express, MongoDB, MySQL, Git), augmented by an Audio and Video Production program with Avid certifications, an Entrepreneurship accelerator, a Skilled Trades track (roofing and solar), and a Workforce Reentry program that connects graduates to fair chance employers.

Product overview

The Last Mile is a non-profit organization providing in-prison technology education and workforce reentry support for justice-impacted individuals. The core offering consists of two main programs: the Web Development Program (the flagship curriculum teaching HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Node.js, Express, MongoDB, MySQL, and Git) and the Entrepreneurship Program (business and technology accelerator). Additional programs include the Audio and Video Production Program (AVP), the Chromebook Initiative (allowing students to take laptops to housing units), the AI-Powered Training Simulator, and the Service Delivery Platform (a cloud-based ecosystem for delivering education within correctional facilities). The organization also provides Workforce Reentry services and the Turn2U Scholarship Program. Media offerings include The Last Mile Radio and The Last Mile Marker newsletter. Programs operate across 12 facilities in 7 states, with expansion into skilled trades beginning in 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Turn2U Scholarship Program: A scholarship program supporting children of TLM program participants and alumni by removing financial barriers to education and providing mentorship and guidance for long-term success.
• TLM Radio
• Service Delivery Platform

Products and services

• Web Development Program Flagship in-prison technical training program teaching web development, coding, and software engineering (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Node, Express, MongoDB, MySQL, Git) to incarcerated men and women, leading to nationally recognized job certifications and apprenticeships.
• Audio and Video Production Program (AVP) Trains incarcerated individuals as sound and video engineers using LinkedIn Learning video content and Avid Technology's audio and video creation software, leading to Avid certifications.
• Chromebook Initiative Enables incarcerated students to take Chromebook laptops back to their housing units to continue web development education during lockdowns, quarantine, and outside classroom hours, using in-house customizations, identity management, WiFi access points, and custom networking equipment.
• Service Delivery Platform Secure, cloud-based platform enabling other educational programs to deliver high-quality instruction inside correctional facilities, with real-time and virtual delivery, intake-to-reentry data tracking, and evidence-based parole and workforce outcomes.
• Workforce Reentry Program
• Turn2U Scholarship Program Scholarship program supporting children of TLM program participants and alumni; awards up to $5,000 per year with a maximum of $20,000 over four years, and includes mentorship and guidance for long-term success.
• Skilled Trades Program In-prison skilled trades training program beginning with roofing and solar installation, designed to address U.S. labor shortages in construction-related trades.

Quantifiable outcome

• Recidivism reduced from 61% nationally to <5% for TLM graduates
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FormationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2024Formation provides AI-powered interview prep program for TLM alumni through their Fellowship Program, offering access to FAANG-level engineering mentors, technical recruiters, and career coaches.
• Michigan Department of CorrectionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 22 October 2019TLM launched at Michigan's Vocational Village at Parnall Correctional Facility with funding from Google.org and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II support.
• Kansas Department of CorrectionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 June 2019Ribbon cutting held at Topeka Correctional Facility in June 2019 for The Last Mile computer coding program.
• ApplecoreTechnology or IntegrationApple provides technology and support for The Last Mile's technology education programs in correctional facilities.
• Bank of AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBank of America partners with TLM through fair chance hiring and has collaborated on fellowship programs with the LA Rams.
• LinkedIn LearningcoreTechnology or IntegrationLinkedIn Learning provides video content and practice files used in TLM's Audio and Video Production Program curriculum.
• UdemycoreTechnology or IntegrationUdemy for Business partnership offers TLM alumni unique scholarship opportunities for continuing education with over 3,500 courses available.
• SiriusXMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSiriusXM launched The Last Mile Radio show, has created a program for TLM alumni to learn audio production skills, and produced an award-winning documentary series about TLM.
• Frontend MasterscoreTechnology or IntegrationFrontend Masters helps TLM reshape the justice system through tech education content and curriculum support.
• Avid TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationAvid Technology sponsored TLM to participate in the Avid Learning Collective, providing curricular content, audio and video creation software, and certifications for the Audio and Video Production Program.
• California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCALPIA partners with TLM and CDCR to deliver Computer Coding and Digital Audio Production Programs at San Quentin, providing industry-accredited certifications.
• California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCDCR partners with TLM to provide educational programming within California correctional facilities including San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.
• Indiana Department of CorrectionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndiana was the first state outside California to introduce TLM's coding program. Partners include Indiana Women's Prison and Putnamville Correctional Facility.
• CheckrcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCheckr partners with TLM through fair chance hiring, offering apprenticeships and employment to TLM graduates. Checkr also supports TLM through volunteer events.
• North Dakota Department of CorrectionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNorth Dakota's DOC celebrated graduation of TLM's web development program at State Penitentiary with six students graduating.
• Montana Department of CorrectionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMontana DOC partnered with TLM for inaugural graduation at Montana State Prison with 17 students graduating in the first cohort.
• Oklahoma Department of CorrectionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOklahoma DOC partnered with TLM to bring its coding program to Mabel Bassett Correctional Center.
• Empower by GoDaddyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmpower by GoDaddy helps TLM alumni reach their entrepreneurship goals through the program.
• LA RamsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLA Rams partnered with Bank of America and TLM to provide paid fellowships for individuals with challenging backgrounds.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Defy Ventures: Nonprofit that runs in-prison entrepreneurship and workforce-readiness programs for incarcerated individuals, with a CEO-level mentor model closely aligned to TLM's mission of reducing recidivism through career training.
• Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP): Texas-based nonprofit delivering in-prison business and leadership training to incarcerated individuals, with reentry support — directly comparable to TLM's in-facility education and post-release model.
• Televerde Foundation: Workforce development program that trains incarcerated women in sales, marketing, and professional skills inside correctional facilities, then employs them post-release — overlapping TLM's in-prison training + reentry placement model.
• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): Large nonprofit providing immediate employment and reentry services to people returning from incarceration across multiple U.S. states — a comparable outcome-driven workforce reentry operator, though with different in-prison programming depth.
• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free technology training (IT support, software engineering, cybersecurity) to individuals from underserved communities, with employer partnerships similar to TLM's fair-chance hiring model.
• Generation (by McKinsey): Global nonprofit offering accelerated technical and vocational training programs for underserved adults, with strong employer placement outcomes — comparable training-and-employment methodology applied to a different underserved population.
• Fortune Society: New York-based nonprofit providing education, housing, and workforce reentry services to formerly incarcerated individuals — comparable comprehensive reentry model with outcome measurement similar to TLM's.
• Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC): California-based nonprofit advocating for and supporting formerly incarcerated individuals through leadership training and reentry services — peer in mission, advocacy, and reentry support, though with less direct in-prison technical training.

Broad incumbents

• Code for America: Nonprofit using technology to improve government services for low-income Americans, including criminal-justice and reentry programs — adjacent in mission and tech-for-impact model, but broader in scope than TLM's direct service delivery.

Others

• Last Mile Health: Global nonprofit named similarly but operating in healthcare worker training in underserved regions; included only as a thematic/mission-aligned counterpart given the shared 'last mile' framing of access to opportunity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/thelastmile
• Xx.com/tlm
• Facebookfacebook.com/thelastmileorganization
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-last-mile

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Last Mile