Candice Baughman

I am a reentry specialist, speaker, and community consultant dedicated to supporting people returning from incarceration and helping communities build stronger systems of support. My work is rooted in lived experience, education, and a deep commitment to justice and dignity for those who have been impacted by the criminal legal system.

After spending years incarcerated, education became the turning point in my life. While in prison I enrolled in college courses, became a teaching assistant, and helped start the first Phi Theta Kappa honor society chapter in a women’s prison. Since returning home, I have dedicated my life to ensuring others have the support, resources, and community connections they need to rebuild their lives.

I currently work as a Program Specialist with Underground Ministries through the One Parish One Prisoner initiative, where I help faith communities build support teams for individuals returning home from prison. I also founded Education 4 Empowerment, a consulting initiative focused on connecting organizations, developing reentry programs, and strengthening community-based solutions.

My work includes peer mentoring, program development, training workshops, public speaking, and collaboration with nonprofits, universities, and policy leaders across Washington State. I am passionate about helping organizations understand the barriers people face after incarceration and creating practical solutions that lead to real change.

Through advocacy, education, and community partnerships, my goal is to help build systems where people are not defined by their past but supported in creating meaningful futures.

I am a reentry specialist, peer mentor, and community program builder with experience supporting individuals returning from incarceration and helping organizations develop stronger reentry support systems. My work centers on building partnerships, providing mentorship, and connecting justice-impacted individuals to resources such as housing, education, employment, and community support.

I currently serve as a Program Specialist with Underground Ministries through the One Parish One Prisoner initiative, where I work with faith communities to build support teams for individuals returning home from prison. In addition, I founded Education 4 Empowerment, an initiative focused on bringing organizations together to improve reentry outcomes and create opportunities for individuals rebuilding their lives after incarceration.

My experience includes peer mentoring, program development, public speaking, and collaborating with nonprofits, community organizations, and educational institutions across Washington State. My work is grounded in lived experience and a commitment to strengthening communities through education, accountability, and second-chance opportunities.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Community Services from St. Martin’s University and am currently completing my Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Adams State University. My education has focused on leadership, organizational development, and building sustainable programs that support community change.

While incarcerated, I participated in college courses through Tacoma Community College and served as a teaching assistant in the business program, where I also helped support other incarcerated students in their educational journeys. These experiences strengthened my commitment to education as a pathway for personal transformation and community impact.

My academic work, combined with my lived experience, continues to shape my focus on justice reform, reentry support, and building programs that expand opportunities for individuals returning from incarceration.