Friday, October 6, 2023
Alabama has officially become the latest state to join Reentry 2030. In partnership with The Council of State Governments Justice Center and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Alabama Bureau of Paroles and Pardons and various public and private partners commit to comprehensive reentry reform by bringing together diverse resources and expertise. Joining Missouri, a pioneer state that signed onto this initiative earlier this year, Alabama is dedicated to reshaping reentry efforts to make a lasting impact.
Their goals include the following:
- Reduce the state’s recidivism rate by 50% by 2030.
- Strengthen the workforce participation of formerly incarcerated Alabamians by 50%. The state aims to expand educational services and create employment opportunities to bolster the workforce. This includes providing access to high-demand skill sets, such as welding, forklift operations, electrical work, and tree trimming.
The launch event was held at the Perry County Probation and Parole Reentry Education Program (PREP) Center, where probationers and parolees receive rehabilitation services, such as substance use and mental health treatment, in addition to education and employment training. The Alabama Bureau of Paroles and Pardons rallied with local and state organizations involved in reentry success, including the Alabama Department of Corrections, Alabama Department of Labor, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, GEO Reentry Services, and Alabama Power. Attendees heard from these entities about their support and commitment to successful reintegration and were given the opportunity to tour the PREP Center and hear about services that prepare individuals for their reentry into society.
“What we’re doing today is turning the findings of a report into a reality for our state. Alabama has a recidivism rate of 28–30%. We’re 25th in the country, but who wants to claim victory because we’re halfway in the middle? No, we want to be one of the best. We want to cut recidivism in half by the end of this decade. All of the partners you see here today are committed to the same goal. Together, let’s become one of the top states in the country on how we deal with recidivism,” said Cam Ward, director of Alabama
As a pivotal part of the Reentry 2030 launch, attendees also participated in the Utility Tree Trimming Program graduation ceremony. Graduates shared their personal journeys and spoke about the invaluable support they received from the program. Their stories were a testament to the positive impact of the program on their lives, highlighting the acquisition of new skills, increased self-confidence, and their aspirations for a brighter future.