More than 50 people on supervised release from Alabama’s prison system sat in folding chairs inside the Montgomery Day Reporting Center earlier this year. Speakers briefly addressed them, telling what to expect from the resource and job fair they were about to visit.
“Please learn all you can, put in the applications, make the day about you,” said Rebecca Bensema, assistant director for reentry with the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.
“One other thing that I would say is, don’t let people judge you that didn’t get caught. Okay, hold your head up. Be proud. Let’s get some things done today.”
The event was part of an effort to bridge employment gaps and reduce recidivism rates in Alabama. The state incarcerates more of its people than most others, and when they’re released, those with criminal records struggle to find jobs – increasing the likelihood they’ll reoffend. Meanwhile, many businesses can’t find enough skilled workers…