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On Tuesday, Feb. 15, leaders from State of Alabama entities met for the monthly Commission on Reentry meeting. Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm further introduced himself to the Commission and expressed his support for ADOC’s participation. The Commission welcomed, among other guests, Georgia Department of Corrections Assistant Commissioner of Inmate Services Jay Sanders.

Sanders discussed the effectiveness of multiple recidivism reduction programs in Georgia. One program explored, among others, is Georgia’s medium security Metro Reentry Facility, which uses evidence-based practices and community collaboration in Atlanta and its surrounding counties. Staff at this facility are trained in risk reduction and mental health services to rehabilitate individuals with less than two years left on their sentence who would otherwise be at a higher risk for recidivism. More information is available here: http://www.dcor.state.ga.us/Facilities/metro-reentry-facility

Georgia Ann Hudson, Communications Coordinator for the Alabama Department of Archives and History, introduced the Commission to Changing the Course: Art by the Currently and Formerly Incarcerated, an exhibition featuring works of art created by individuals in Alabama’s prisons, transitional homes, and Day Reporting Centers. The exhibition will be on display at the Alabama Department of Archives and History until April 15, 2022, and admission is free. More information on this event can be found via news releases ADAH and the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.

Ingram State Technical College Director of Pardons and Parole Programs LaShanda Hails spoke about the upcoming 2021 Foundation Dinner, taking place on Thursday April 7, 2022 in Wetumpka. The event will consist of dinner, entertainment and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the ISTC Foundation, which pursues grants and other awards to support ISTC activities. More information can be found on the ISTC website: https://istc.edu/foundation/

Members of the Commission include Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm, Ingram State Technical College President Annette Funderburk, Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kimberly Boswell, Senator Will Barfoot, and Representative Connie Rowe, along with leaders from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, the Alabama Department of Labor, the Alabama Department of Human Resources, Medicaid, and the Governor’s Office.

The primary goal of the Commission, adapted from Section 3 of Alabama Senate Bill 221, is identifying, implementing, and promoting evidence-based research, policies, strategies, and programming to support successful reentry and reintegration.