Fresh Start Diplomacy

Submitted to:
President Donald J. Trump
45th and 47th President of the United States
Washington, D.C.

Submitted by:
Brian C. Alston
Founder, ND ENTERPRISES, LLC
Līhuʻe, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, United States
profalston@gmail.com

Date:
April 12, 2025

Confidential Policy Briefing Document

Prepared in consideration of national interests, economic innovation, and global diplomacy

April 12, 2025
President Donald J. Trump
45th and 47th President of the United States
Washington, D.C.

RE: Executive Summary – “Fresh Start Diplomacy: A U.S.-Africa Initiative for Criminal Justice Reform, Workforce Development, and Global Mineral Equity”

Dear President Trump,

I am honored to present a bold, strategic initiative that aligns with your ongoing vision to revitalize the American economy, restore global leadership, and ensure government efficiency. Fresh Start Diplomacy proposes relocating up to 50% of African American inmates from U.S. state and federal prisons to structured, internationally sanctioned job training and workforce reintegration programs across Africa—focusing on the mining sector and other high-demand industries.

This initiative offers a transformative solution to America’s most costly and socially destructive policy failure: mass incarceration. By partnering with African nations to develop critical workforce infrastructure and redirect prison expenditures toward productivity and opportunity, we can save billions in taxpayer dollars annually while creating long-term diplomatic and economic alliances abroad.

Through this effort, the United States would not only cut incarceration-related expenses and reduce recidivism, but also lead a renaissance of reconciliation—giving African American men the opportunity to reclaim their dignity, develop trade skills, and contribute to Africa’s mineral-driven economic revival. In return, African governments gain a skilled labor force, U.S. investment in infrastructure, and protection against predatory foreign interests—particularly China’s unchecked dominance in the mineral sector.

Fresh Start Diplomacy would initiate a new chapter in U.S.- Africa relations by creating a continental mineral oversight body, establishing blockchain-secured systems for transparency, and embedding American values of fairness, entrepreneurship, and free-market excellence into the heart of Africa’s future.

I respectfully recommend that your administration explore this program as a legacy-defining initiative—one that saves U.S. dollars, reduces domestic crime, supports African development, and sets the global standard for post-incarceration reform.

I humbly offer my leadership as a strategic developer and manager of this visionary project (RESUME).

Thank you for your leadership and unwavering commitment to bold, America-first innovation.

Respectfully,
Brian C. Alston
Founder, ND ENTERPRISES, LLC
Līhuʻe, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i
profalston@gmail.com

BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM STATEMENT

The United States currently leads the world in incarceration, with over 1.9 million people behind bars. While this figure alone raises concerns about the scale of punitive justice, the racial disparities embedded in the system are even more alarming. African Americans—just 13% of the U.S. population—represent approximately 38% of the prison population, according to data from the Prison Policy Initiative. In many states, Black Americans are incarcerated at rates five to ten times higher than white Americans, reflecting a deeply rooted structural imbalance in policing, sentencing, and social opportunity.

The overrepresentation of African Americans in both federal and state prisons is not an isolated issue—it is a systemic crisis with generational consequences. It disproportionately affects Black families, contributes to intergenerational poverty, and fuels public distrust in the justice system. A significant share of incarcerated African Americans falls within the 25–39 age range, the prime working years of adulthood, compounding the social and economic cost of their exclusion from the labor force.

Financially, the burden on federal and state governments is staggering. The annual cost of incarceration per inmate ranges between $30,000 and $60,000, with some states spending more on incarceration than on public education. Nationwide, more than $80 billion is spent each year on public corrections facilities, excluding the billions in ancillary costs related to policing, court systems, and probation services. When combined with the economic impact of lost productivity and reduced lifetime earnings of incarcerated individuals, the real cost rises dramatically—damaging not just individuals and families but the nation’s long-term fiscal health.

Moreover, the justice system is failing in its rehabilitative mission. Recidivism rates in the United States remain alarmingly high, with over 44% of state prisoners re-arrested within one year and more than 68% within three years. Among African American males, these rates are often higher due to systemic barriers that hinder reentry into the workforce, including limited access to education, housing, and meaningful employment.

The incarceration cycle creates a feedback loop of poverty, family instability, and marginalization. Many African American communities have been systematically weakened by the removal of able-bodied men from homes and neighborhoods. Children of incarcerated parents are more likely to face educational setbacks, emotional trauma, and ultimately, involvement in the justice system themselves.

Compounding the social and economic toll is the reality that mass incarceration does not correlate with reduced crime rates. Decades of research, including studies by the U.S. Sentencing Commission, have shown that higher incarceration rates do not necessarily produce safer communities. In fact, community-based rehabilitation, employment access, and education programs have proven more effective in reducing crime.

In summary, the current U.S. prison model—particularly as it pertains to African Americans—is both economically unsustainable and socially destructive. It drains public budgets, damages family structures, and undermines the very goals of justice and rehabilitation. There is a clear and urgent need to explore bold, innovative solutions that transform this cycle into a pipeline of productivity, empowerment, and global engagement.

The Fresh Start Diplomacy initiative emerges as one such visionary solution: repurposing correctional resources toward strategic workforce deployment, international diplomacy, and economic revitalization—offering not only justice but also opportunity.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW: THE “FRESH START” INITIATIVE

The Fresh Start Initiative is a bold, human-centered, and globally strategic U.S.- Africa partnership designed to transform incarceration into opportunity. By relocating eligible African American inmates to partner nations in Africa—beginning with Angola—the program provides vocational training, entrepreneurial development, and reintegration pathways that benefit both continents.

At the heart of this initiative lies a transformative belief: justice should not end in confinement but begin with a second chance. Through this program, non-violent inmates nearing the completion of their sentences are offered the opportunity to undergo a structured, supervised, and diplomatically sanctioned transition to freedom—anchored in training, industry, and international partnership.

Program Launch Site: Angola & CITIC Centennial Vocational School

The pilot program will launch in Angola, home to both strategic mineral reserves and a growing workforce infrastructure. Specifically, the CITIC Centennial Vocational School, developed by China’s CITIC Group, offers immediate capacity for training up to 500 students annually in vital trades such as construction, electrical work, and mechanical engineering. The school’s full-time, residential model provides wraparound support for successful reintegration, and discussions are underway to expand its reach in alignment with Fresh Start’s objectives.

This hub will serve as a model for scaling the program across additional African nations, including Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, and Zambia—countries rich in both mineral potential and workforce development needs.

Program Structure

The Fresh Start Initiative will operate in four progressive phases:

1. Screening & Selection (U.S. Department of Justice + Partner States)

   • Identification of eligible inmates based on sentence completion, behavior, and security profile.

   • Voluntary participation with legal reclassification as “rehabilitation relocation candidates.”

2. Relocation & Enrollment

   • Transfer to Africa under diplomatic and legal agreements.

   • Immediate housing and orientation into the vocational ecosystem.

3. Vocational Training + Entrepreneurial Development

   • 9–18 months of intensive hands-on training in trades, mining-related skills, construction, agriculture, ICT, and small business fundamentals.

   • Courses certified and monitored by U.S. and African educational oversight bodies.

4. Post-Training Deployment

   • Graduates placed in employment across African industries.

   • Opportunities for microfinance, land leasing, or integration into the Global South Business Incubator to launch local businesses.

Eligibility Criteria

Participants must meet the following conditions:

• Be a U.S. citizen of African American descent currently incarcerated for non-violent offenses.

• Be within 24 months of sentence completion.

• Demonstrate good conduct and willingness to participate voluntarily.

• Pass physical and psychological assessments.

• Agree to full participation in training and economic reintegration programs.

Expected Outcomes

• Reduced U.S. Prison Costs: A 50% relocation target for eligible inmates could result in billions of dollars in annual savings at state and federal levels.

• Lower Recidivism: International relocation + workforce development is expected to reduce recidivism by 40–60%, based on analogous reentry data.

• Workforce Development in Africa: African nations receive a trained, disciplined labor force contributing directly to national GDP through infrastructure, energy, and mining industries.

• Diplomatic Partnership: Establishes new U.S.-Africa development agreements with embedded equity, transparency, and long-term mineral oversight.

Africa's Gain, America’s Relief

This partnership is not simply a humanitarian gesture—it is a shared strategic imperative. The U.S. reduces its criminal justice burdens and redirects spending to global development, while Africa gains skilled workers, private investment, and geopolitical support. At its core, Fresh Start is a model for how two continents can collaborate to rewrite the narrative of incarceration into one of purpose, productivity, and peace.

ECONOMIC VALUE PROPOSITION FOR THE U.S.: FLORIDA CASE STUDY

The Fresh Start Initiative presents a transformative opportunity to alleviate the financial burdens of incarceration in the United States by relocating eligible African American inmates to structured rehabilitation programs in Africa. This approach not only addresses systemic issues within the criminal justice system but also offers substantial economic benefits.​

Florida's Incarceration Landscape

• Prison Population: Florida maintains one of the largest prison populations in the U.S., with over 87,000 individuals incarcerated in state prisons.​The Penitent Thief+1project180reentry.org+1

• Demographics: African Americans constitute approximately 17% of Florida's general population but represent nearly 48.5% of the male prison population, highlighting significant racial disparities in incarceration rates. ​Florida Phoenix

• Cost of Incarceration: The average annual cost to incarcerate an individual in Florida is approximately $24,265. ​OPPAGA+4The Penitent Thief+4project180reentry.org+4

• Recidivism Rate: Florida's recidivism rate stands at 21.2%, indicating that over one-fifth of released inmates return to prison within three years. ​Wikipedia

Projected Financial Impact

Implementing the Fresh Start initiative to relocate 50% of African American inmates from Florida's prisons could yield significant cost savings:​

• Target Group: Approximately 21,000 African American inmates (50% of the 42,000 African American prison population in Florida).​

• Annual Savings: Relocating these inmates could save Florida approximately $510 million annually in incarceration costs (21,000 inmates x $24,265 per inmate).​project180reentry.org+1The Penitent Thief+1

• Recidivism Reduction: By providing vocational training and employment opportunities, the initiative aims to reduce recidivism rates, leading to additional long-term savings in incarceration and related costs.​

Broader Economic and Social Benefits

• Workforce Development: The initiative would contribute to workforce development in African nations, fostering economic growth and stability.​

• U.S. Economic Relief: Reduced incarceration rates would alleviate financial pressures on state budgets, allowing for the reallocation of funds to other critical areas such as education and healthcare.​

• Social Equity: Addressing the overrepresentation of African Americans in the prison system promotes social justice and equity.

CRIME REDUCTION AND RECIDIVISM IMPACT

The Fresh Start initiative offers a transformative approach to reducing crime and recidivism, especially within African American communities disproportionately affected by mass incarceration. By providing structured vocational training, mentorship, and opportunities for relocation, the program addresses the root causes that often lead to reoffending.​

Addressing Recidivism Through Employment and Training

Stable employment is a critical factor in preventing recidivism. Research indicates that formerly incarcerated individuals who secure consistent employment are significantly less likely to re-offend. For instance, a study by the Brookings Institution highlights that having a job reduces the likelihood of committing new crimes, as stable, full-time employment provides both financial stability and a sense of purpose. ​Brookings

The Fresh Start program's emphasis on vocational training equips participants with marketable skills, enhancing their employability and reducing the economic pressures that often lead to criminal activity.​

The Role of Mentorship in Reintegration

Mentorship plays a vital role in successful reintegration. Programs that incorporate mentorship have been shown to reduce recidivism by providing guidance, support, and positive role models. A study published in the Journal of Offender Rehabilitation found that peer-mentored community reentry programs significantly decrease the likelihood of reoffending. ​UTC ScholarSage Journals

By connecting participants with mentors who have successfully navigated reentry, Fresh Start fosters a supportive environment that encourages personal growth and accountability.​

Relocation as a Catalyst for Change

Relocating participants to new environments can disrupt cycles of crime by removing individuals from contexts that may contribute to reoffending. The Fresh Start program's relocation component offers participants a chance to rebuild their lives in settings that support rehabilitation and growth.​

This change of environment, combined with employment opportunities and mentorship, creates a holistic approach to reducing recidivism and promoting long-term success.​

Anticipated Outcomes

• Reduced Recidivism Rates: By addressing employment and social support, the program aims to lower recidivism rates among African American ex-offenders.​

• Economic Benefits: Decreased incarceration rates can lead to significant cost savings for the criminal justice system.​

• Community Strengthening: Empowering individuals to become productive members of society contributes to the overall health and safety of communities.​

POVERTY AND SOCIAL IMPACT

The Fresh Start initiative directly targets the root causes of poverty in urban African American communities by dismantling the incarceration cycle that has destabilized families, reduced generational wealth, and undermined community cohesion. The mass removal of African American men from their communities due to incarceration has left profound socioeconomic voids, contributing to increased rates of out-of-wedlock births, reduced fatherhood involvement, and long-term dependency on public assistance.

Through the voluntary relocation of eligible non-violent inmates into a rehabilitative, employment-driven ecosystem abroad, Fresh Start repositions these individuals as contributors to global industry and as future providers for their families. Rebuilding dignity through skill acquisition and meaningful employment allows formerly incarcerated men to reclaim roles as fathers, leaders, and economic anchors in their families.

Studies have consistently shown that children with present and engaged fathers tend to perform better academically, are less likely to commit crimes, and have higher self-esteem. By facilitating economic mobility and psychological renewal through this program, Fresh Start becomes a tool for intergenerational change.

The reinvestment of incarceration savings into U.S. communities further accelerates this transformation. Redirected public funds can support housing, job creation, and youth mentoring programs, contributing to community stabilization and long-term workforce development.

VALUE PROPOSITION FOR AFRICAN HOST COUNTRIES

African host countries stand to benefit immensely from participating in the Fresh Start initiative. Through a well-regulated diplomatic framework, countries such as Angola, Ghana, and Zambia gain access to a pre-trained, economically motivated labor pool ready to support strategic industries such as mining, agriculture, and construction.

One of the most immediate gains is the increased supply of skilled labor for the mineral sector, a key driver of GDP in many African nations. By partnering with the U.S. to host participants in state-accredited vocational schools and workforce programs, host nations receive international investments, technical training infrastructure, and economic activity in rural and underdeveloped regions.

Moreover, the program includes provisions for bilateral technology transfer, regulatory reform, and the formation of a Continental Mineral Oversight Organization (CMOO), co-managed by African nations and U.S. development experts. This body will introduce price standardization mechanisms and transparency tools that can liberate African economies from exploitative Chinese-dominated mineral trading schemes.

Fresh Start is a pathway to sovereignty: it empowers African governments to set labor standards, negotiate ethical trade deals, and diversify their economies while reinforcing their diplomatic alignment with the United States.

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL RECONNECTION

The Fresh Start initiative is not only an economic and justice reform project—it is a historical and spiritual reconnection. For centuries, African Americans have carried the trauma of displacement and enslavement, severed from their ancestral lands without pathways to return. Fresh Start offers that long-denied bridge.

This program allows descendants of enslaved Africans to return not in chains, but in purpose. As trained workers, entrepreneurs, and community builders, they re-enter the continent with tools, dignity, and opportunity. The symbolic reversal of the transatlantic slave route underlines a redemptive narrative—a people once sold for labor now return to lead development.

By investing in this cultural reconnection, African host nations also benefit from global visibility, increased tourism, diaspora engagement, and potential pathways to dual citizenship initiatives.

This is more than diplomacy; it is historical healing. It aligns with the global movement for reparative justice, but uniquely transcends financial reparations to prioritize identity restoration, economic integration, and global unity.

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

The Fresh Start initiative will unfold through a phased, scalable implementation model grounded in international law, workforce science, and diplomatic consensus:

Phase 1: Pilot (Year 1)

• Location: Angola, CITIC Vocational School

• Cohort: 500 participants from Florida and Georgia

• Agreements: Establish bilateral MOUs, legal custody transfer framework, and housing logistics

Phase 2: Scale-Up (Years 2–3)

• Expand to Ghana, Zambia, and South Africa

• Enroll 5,000+ participants across sectors: mining, construction, agriculture, ICT

• Establish the African Continental Mineral Oversight Organization (ACMMO)

Phase 3: Institutional Integration (Years 4–5)

• Establish permanent training campuses co-managed by U.S. and African education ministries

• Launch visa-adjusted work placement and diaspora integration hubs

• Begin joint infrastructure projects funded by reinvested incarceration savings

Governance Structure

• U.S. DOJ & State Department oversight

• African Ministries of Labor and Education

• NGOs and diaspora-led civil society groups for participant support

This structure ensures transparency, diplomatic harmony, and localized economic benefit.

JOBS-TO-BE-DONE FRAMEWORK INTEGRATION

Applying Clayton Christensen’s "Jobs-to-Be-Done" theory reveals the multidimensional value of Fresh Start across stakeholders:

• Inmates need dignity, redemption, and employability. Fresh Start offers a clear path from incarceration to economic empowerment in a supportive, stigma-free environment.

• U.S. Government: Needs cost reduction, crime control, and community healing. This program replaces incarceration expenses with long-term savings and enhanced public safety.

• African Nations: Need labor, investment, and international alliances. The program delivers a productive workforce, American partnership, and sovereignty from foreign (esp. Chinese) mineral dominance.

• Global Investors: Seek stability, ethical supply chains, and social impact ROI. Fresh Start positions itself as an investable model in justice-to-industry transitions.

By reframing incarceration as an untapped market challenge, Fresh Start functions as a globally integrated innovation solving unmet needs in law, labor, diplomacy, and human rights.

SUPPORTING DATA AND CITATIONS

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & AFRICAN RENAISSANCE

The Fresh Start initiative aligns with and advances several U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• Goal 1: No Poverty – Transitioning inmates into economic contributors lifts households out of poverty.

• Goal 4: Quality Education – Skills-based training in trades and entrepreneurship builds lifelong learning.

• Goal 5: Gender Equality – Reduced incarceration improves father involvement and family balance.

• Goal 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth – Fresh Start expands labor capacity in high-demand sectors.

• Goal 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions – Promotes transparent, ethical governance via U.S.-Africa diplomacy.

By empowering both continents, the initiative creates the foundation for Africa’s mineral-powered renaissance—led by ethical governance, American technology, and formerly incarcerated citizens turned builders of the future.

PROPOSAL CONCLUSION

The Fresh Start Diplomacy proposal presents an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine justice, diplomacy, and economic cooperation between the United States and Africa. At its core, this initiative seeks to convert one of America’s most persistent liabilities—mass incarceration—into one of its greatest global assets: workforce-driven diplomacy.

Through voluntary relocation, vocational training, and strategic bilateral partnerships, Fresh Start creates new beginnings for African American inmates while building a bridge of prosperity between two continents. It reduces crime, restores families, counters China’s economic influence, and empowers African nations to rise as equitable partners in a shared global future.

We respectfully urge the Trump Administration to consider this visionary proposal not just as a policy innovation but as a legacy-defining initiative capable of launching two renaissances: one African, one American.

Now is the time for Fresh Start Diplomacy.