Reentry
Services
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ Reentry Initiative, also referenced as the Recidivism Reduction Pilot Program, is a statewide effort designed to reduce repeat incarceration by strengthening the pathway from custody to community. The initiative convenes state agencies, educational institutions, private sector employers, and community organizations to align resources and remove barriers that can stand in the way of successful reentry, helping individuals build stability and long term success after release from incarceration.
Purpose & Goals
Workforce Development, Education, & Employment
Connect participants to workforce training, education, and industry recognized credentials that lead to meaningful employment and long term career opportunities.
Health and Recovery Support
Ensure individuals have access to substance use treatment, mental health services, and physical healthcare needed to support stability and long term wellbeing.
Legal Resolution & Identification
Assist with resolving outstanding legal barriers, obtaining identification documents, and restoring driver’s licenses to support employment and independence.
Housing, Food Security, and Financial Stability
Support access to stable housing, reliable food resources, and financial tools that help individuals build a stable foundation after release.
Community Coordination and Support
Strengthen reentry success through coordinated planning, benefits navigation, and connections to trusted community organizations that provide ongoing support.
Partners and State Agency Collaboration
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How the Pilot Works
The Arkansas Board of Corrections approved the pilot program in August 2025 to serve up to 100 individuals. The Reentry Initiative begins working with participants several months prior to their release from incarceration to prepare them for a successful transition back into the community. Each participant is connected with a dedicated primary provider who coordinates services across state agencies, education and workforce partners, and community organizations. Through this coordinated approach, participants receive assistance obtaining identification documents, resolving legal barriers, engaging in workforce training and employment preparation, and connecting with housing and healthcare resources. The initiative also connects individuals to recovery support, faith and community based mentors, and other supportive services that promote long term stability. By aligning state and community resources before and after release, the initiative creates a clear pathway from custody to community.
Workforce Training and Credentials
OSHA 10 Certification
Completion of the 10 hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration course provides a comprehensive introduction to OSHA regulations and workplace safety standards. Participants gain knowledge regarding employer and employee responsibilities in identifying and mitigating workplace hazards during routine operations and emergency situations. This certification strengthens workplace readiness and promotes safe, injury free work environments.
ACT National Career Readiness Certificate
The ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate validates essential foundational workplace skills that are often difficult to demonstrate on a traditional resume. Through assessment in Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents, participants earn certification levels of Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze. This credential allows employers to verify a candidate’s ability to interpret information, apply reasoning to real world tasks, and demonstrate practical math proficiency.
Future Fit Production Operator/Assembler Certificate
Delivered in partnership with University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College
This 96 hour interactive training program utilizes the Tooling U curriculum and includes instruction in:
• Mathematics for manufacturing • Workplace safety • Professional communication • Critical thinking • Blueprint reading and precision measurement • Machine operations • Work ethic and interpersonal skills
The Future Fit program equips participants with the technical competencies required for competitive careers in advanced manufacturing. In addition to technical instruction, participants develop professional resumes and participate in mock interviews with employer partners to strengthen employment outcomes upon release.
If you are interested in partnering with the Reentry Initiative, whether as a community partner, service provider, or an employer committed to hiring individuals returning from incarceration, we welcome the opportunity to connect.
For more information or to explore partnership opportunities, please contact Janet Camp, Director of Judicial Services, at jcamp@restorehope.io.