April is Second Chance Month
Each April, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs celebrates Second Chance Month to recognize the importance of helping individuals, communities, and agencies across the country appreciate their role in supporting the safe and successful reentry of millions of people returning from incarceration each year. Second Chance Month aims to inform and highlight the many opportunities for state, local, and Tribal governments and community-based service providers to build meaningful second chances for our returning community members.
Missouri Ramps Up Efforts to Improve Reintegration Success through Reentry 2030: Update One Year Later
In April 2023, Missouri became the first state in the country to join the Reentry 2030 initiative and commit to bold goals to improve reentry success for all. This April, we’re celebrating the significant strides that Missouri has made in the past year toward achieving its Reentry 2030 goals. Learn more about Missouri’s accomplishments in establishing cross-sector partnerships to provide coordinated reentry support, removing barriers to employment, and increasing employment opportunities, as well as its next steps.
Nebraska: The Fourth Reentry 2030 State Issues Proclamation
Nebraska has become the latest state to join Reentry 2030, following North Carolina’s launch and executive order signing in January. In partnership with The Council of State Governments Justice Center, Correctional Leaders Association, JustLeadershipUSA, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, Nebraska will unite state and local agencies to improve reentry services. Governor Jim Pillen has spearheaded this commitment to Reentry 2030 by proclaiming February 1 as Returning Citizen Reintegration Day.
Nebraska’s goals include the following:
- Promote education, with a 30 percent increase in GED completion during incarceration, 15 percent increase in GED proctors, and 50 percent increase in college coursework enrollment.
- Expand program participation, with a 50 percent increase in utilization of tablet programming and 25 percent increase in participation in Vocational and Life Skills programming.
- Ensure 100 percent of eligible individuals who are incarcerated are enrolled in Medicaid.
- Assist 100 percent of individuals who are incarcerated with obtaining state identification and birth certificates prior to release.
- Provide support so that at least 90 percent of individuals who are released will be gainfully employed within 30 days of parole placement.
- Develop a systemic approach to reentry through the creation of a statewide reentry council composed of public, private, and service provider entities.
“Launching Reentry 2030 in Nebraska confirms our commitment to rehabilitation and second chances. By setting bold goals, fostering collaboration, and embracing innovation, we aim to build a state where every individual, regardless of past challenges, can reintegrate with safety, intentionality, and purpose. Nebraska leads the way in redefining success, ensuring the well-being of families and communities—the Nebraska Way.” Governor Jim Pillen
“We are embarking on a transformative journey with a holistic approach to preparing individuals for reentry into society. This initiative represents a commitment to comprehensive rehabilitation, equipping individuals with the tools they need for a successful return to community life. It’s about fostering growth, building bridges, and ensuring that every person leaving our facilities has a genuine opportunity for a positive reintegration into society.” Rob Jeffreys, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services
North Carolina: The Third Reentry 2030 State — Governor Cooper Takes Historic Action with Executive Order
North Carolina has become the third state to join Reentry 2030, following Missouri and Alabama’s pioneering launches last year. 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, North Carolina’s Department of Adult Correction will unite with state and local agencies to improve reentry services. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has spearheaded this commitment by signing Executive Order No. 303, solidifying North Carolina’s dedication to Reentry 2030.
North Carolina’s goals include the following:
- Launch a Joint Reentry 2030 council.
- Provide access to educational and employment opportunities through increasing the number of high school and post-secondary degrees by 75 percent.
- Expand access to behavioral health and substance use treatment.
- Ensure all eligible people obtain Medicaid upon release.
- Reduce homelessness among returnees by 50 percent by expanding housing opportunities.
“Strengthening reentry services for formerly incarcerated people is both the right and smart thing to do.”“This executive order directs a whole-of-government approach to improve reentry services, strengthen our economy, make communities safer, and give people the second chance they deserve.” Governor Roy Cooper
“It takes a village to ensure successful reentry. Thank you for your support, which will translate into a safer North Carolina […] as we make implementation of this executive order a transformative success.” Department of Adult Correction Secretary Todd Ishee
Alabama: The Next Reentry 2030 State Commits to Reducing Recidivism by 50 Percent
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 percent by 2030.
- Strengthen the workforce participation of formerly incarcerated Alabamians by 50 percent. 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 percent. 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.” Cam Ward, director of Alabama Bureau of Paroles and Pardons
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.
Missouri: The First Reentry 2030 State
Missouri has signed on as the first Reentry 2030 State! 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 Missouri Department of Corrections plans to work with public and private partners to support incarcerated people in finding and maintaining employment upon release.
Their goals include the following:
- 100 percent of incarcerated Missourians who need career services receive them.
- 85 percent of incarcerated Missourians are employed within 30 days of release.
- 80 percent of formerly incarcerated Missourians maintain their employment for at least nine months after release.
- At the launch event, the Missouri Department of Corrections and other state and local agencies and community organizations committed to partnering to drive the success of this initiative. Attendees heard from two people with lived experience in the criminal justice system who spoke about the importance of the support they received upon reentering their communities.
“I’m so excited that we’re to the point of reimagining reentry instead of continuing what we always have done. We’re challenging the status quo. I’m so proud of the support in Missouri to make our communities better.” Anne Precythe, director of the Missouri Department of Corrections
Governor Mike Parson was also in attendance and offered his support for Reentry 2030.
“We’ve become the first state to initiate this—to say we care, and we’re really going to make a difference.” Governor Mike Parson
Advancing Successful Reintegration for Every Person: Reentry 2030 National Launch
Advancing Successful Reintegration for Every Person: Reentry 2030 National Launch will featured thought leaders from across the country discussing how states can better scale-up access to supports, clear away barriers to opportunities and economic mobility, and work to advance racial equity by joining the Reentry 2030 movement.
Watch the broadcast and learn how Reentry 2030 can help amplify statewide efforts and build momentum, give states the opportunity to learn from each other in real-time as they work on similar goals, and ultimately see significant advances in reentry and reintegration on a national level by 2030.
Reentry 2030 is a national initiative to achieve better and more equitable reentry and reintegration outcomes by engaging states to adopt public, ambitious goals that drive system change. It is also a partnership between the Correctional Leaders Association, The Council of State Governments Justice Center, and JustLeadershipUSA. The event and initiative are supported by Arnold Ventures, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. Additional funding is provided by the Tow Foundation and Microsoft.
Thank you to our guest speakers:
Opening and keynote remarks
U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis, 7th District of Illinois
U.S. Senator Robert Jones Portman, Ohio
Amy Solomon, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice
Roundtable discussion
Dylan Hayre, Director of Criminal Justice, Arnold Ventures
DeAnna Hoskins, President and CEO, JustLeadershipUSA
Anne Precythe, Director, Missouri Department of Corrections
Tom Robbins, Contributing Writer, The Marshall Project
Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr., State Senator, 17th District, Illinois General Assembly
Reentry 2030: Perspectives
John Agnew, Substance Abuse Center of Kansas
Shounda Edward, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana
James Hodgkins, Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
Justin Thomas, Ripple Affect Media
