ABPP, Ingram State Host Career Expo to Connect Alabamians with Employment Opportunities

From the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles

October 22

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles (ABPP) partnered with J.F. Ingram State Technical College (ISTC) today to host a career expo in Montgomery, connecting formerly incarcerated Alabamians with employment opportunities in theregion.

Participants completed ISTC programming offered through the Bureau’s network of Day Reporting Centers (DRCs), focusing on career readiness and personal development skills essential to successful reentry.

“We are proud to work with Ingram State Technical College and job creators across the state who have stepped up to be a part of Alabama’s reentry success,” Bureau Director Cam Ward said. “Jobs alone are not the solution, but our approach combines job training with soft skill development, mental health counseling and substance use treatment to ensure those who go through our programming are set up for success. And when they win, then Alabama wins because it lowers recidivism, stops crime and strengthens our workforce.”

Several River Region employers, including representatives from the manufacturing industry, attended the expo to accept resumes and share information about employment opportunities.“

Our partnership with the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles is instrumental in connecting individuals with meaningful employment opportunities that support successful reentry,” said ISTC President David Walters. “Through events like the Montgomery DRC CareerExpo, we are bringing together employers and individuals who are prepared to contribute to Alabama’s workforce. At Ingram State, our focus is on providing industry-recognized credentials and workforce training that meet the needs of Alabama employers. By workingalongside ABPP and our private-sector partners, we are creating pathways to long-term employment, strengthening our workforce and supporting the communities these individuals return to.”

ABPP, ISTC and their partners continue to advance Alabama’s reentry efforts through programs designed to reduce recidivism and prepare participants for successful transitions back into their communities. These efforts include programming offered through thestate’s network of DRCs and facilities such as the Perry County PREP Center.

The PREP Center has reported a near-zero recidivism rate, reflecting its focus on equipping participants with the skills and resources needed to overcome challenges, secure stable employment and successfully reintegrate into society after incarceration.

Building on these efforts, ABPP recently partnered with Workforce Alabama, the Southwest Alabama Partnership for Training and Employment (SWAPTE) and Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center to launch the Alabama Restart Initiative. The initiative seeks to connect Alabama industries, employers and local reentry organizations to establish a permanent, employer-connected talent pipeline. This effort will link probationers and parolees trained by ISTC with meaningful employment opportunities in high-demandskilled trades.

The initiative also supports Alabama’s broader goals of increasing participation in workforce services among formerly incarcerated individuals and reducing recidivism by 50%.

“Jobs are a crucial component to successful reentry,” Ward said. "When someone overcomes an underlying mental health condition or substance use issue, stable employment is essential to their continued success. Statistics show that good employment reduces the likelihood of reoffending, and we are grateful to all stakeholders – from Ingram State Technical College and the Alabama Community College System to private sector industry leaders – who have partnered with us to make sure they can find opportunities and careersclose to home.”