|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles Director Cam Ward recently met with Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill to discuss the significance of the Second Chance Act and share Alabama’s reentry success stories. As part of a delegation of criminal justice executives and policy experts, Director Ward participated in a panel and presented findings on the impact of the PREP Center. He met with members of the Alabama Congressional delegation and stakeholders from the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“We’re proud to represent Alabama and Governor Kay Ivey by sharing our testimony with key Congressional leaders, including Senator Katie Britt, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, and Representative Barry Moore,” Director Ward said. “They have been staunch supporters of our work—especially the award-winning PREP Reentry model, and we are grateful for their dedication and advocacy on behalf of the people of our state.”
The Perry County PREP Center, a cornerstone of Alabama’s reentry initiatives, has achieved remarkable success since its inception in 2022. Notably, none of its graduates have reoffended or returned to prison, underscoring the program’s effectiveness in reducing recidivism.
The PREP Center offers justice-involved individuals support services and addresses barriers to successful reintegration. Primary program providers include GEO Group, under the advisement of the Alabama Department of Mental Health, J.F. Ingram State Technical College, and Alabama Power.
Nationally recognized for its innovative approach, the PREP Center was recently a finalist for the State Transformation in Action Recognition by the Council of State Governments. The program’s success will be highlighted in an upcoming publication celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Second Chance Act, serving as a case study for effective reentry strategies.
The Bureau’s reentry efforts continue to expand, with a new class scheduled to graduate from the PREP Center on December 20, 2024, further contributing to Alabama’s commitment to reducing recidivism and supporting successful reintegration.
