Incarcerated Engineer Lands Job at Tech Startup Through Remote Work Program
A Maine prisoner's journey to becoming a startup software engineer shows how remote tech jobs can transform lives—even behind bars.
Matilda
Incarcerated Engineer Lands Job at Tech Startup Through Remote Work Program How an Incarcerated Software Engineer Got Hired by a VC-Backed Startup
What happens when raw talent meets a second chance? For Preston Thorpe, the answer is a groundbreaking opportunity as an incarcerated software engineer working full-time for a San Francisco-based tech startup. This remarkable story highlights the power of redemption, the impact of remote work programs for prisoners, and how the tech industry is slowly embracing non-traditional candidates. As more startups explore hiring incarcerated developers through experimental rehabilitation programs, Thorpe’s experience raises both hope and important questions about access, trust, and transformation. Image : Google Programs like the one Thorpe joined in Maine aren’t widespread—but their growing success stories could help reshape not only the prison system but also how tech companies think about recruitment, equity, and inclusivity. By placing Thorpe's accomplishments within the broader context of tech, criminal justice refor…
