The rebranded Reentry Alabama commission to reduce recidivism has met for the first time since it was reauthorized by Senator Will Barfoot’s SB 162 during the 2024 Regular Session in the Alabama Legislature.
The commission is formerly known as the Study Commission on Interagency Cooperation and Collaboration on the Rehabilitation of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals.
“The members of this commission are coming together, breaking down barriers and opening doors to new opportunities for Alabamians who have been involved in the criminal justice system,” Commission Chairman and Alabama Bureau of Pardons & Paroles Director Cam Ward said.
“We do it the right way – without cutting corners and with the goal of setting these citizens up for success through programs that focus on mental health, substance use treatment, job training, education and proactive supervision.”
Reentry Alabama plans to address the issue by "expanding access to education and mental health programs, eliminating impediments to reentry, and pursuing partnerships with the private sector to create a workforce and job-opportunity pipeline for those served by reentry efforts," said a press release sent on Thursday.
"For Alabama’s part, the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles (ABPP) plans to expand programs like the PREP Center and Day Reporting Centers, which have resulted in recidivism falling from 30% to 4% by those who participated in these programs," the press release further states.
The commission comprises:
Senator Will Barfoot, Senator Robert Stewart, Representative Chris England and Representative Prince Chesnut as well as representatives from the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles, Alabama Department of Labor, Alabama Community College System, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alabama Department of Mental Health, Department of Human Resources, Alabama Medicaid, Alabama Department of Corrections, Alabama Veterans Affairs, Alabama Department of Youth Services and the Alabama District Attorneys Association.
"That 86% reduction in recidivism translates to millions in savings for taxpayers and thousands of new highly skilled and productive workers who can help shore up Alabama’s workforce participation rate."
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