Gov. Andy Beshear has signed legislation that provides the framework to create Kentucky’s first reentry campus. It focuses on increasing public safety and boosting the state’s workforce.
April is Second Chance Month, which brings communities and organizations together throughout the nation to raise awareness of barriers that inmates face upon reentering society.
“In Kentucky, we believe in the importance of second chances, and that’s evident in the legislation we’re signing today which will establish our commonwealth as a national model for public safety,” Gov. Beshear said. “Together we’re building a safer New Kentucky Home by improving reentry outcomes and helping people get good-paying jobs – because it’s the right thing to do.”
The reentry campus will be operated by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System on the grounds of Northpoint Training Center in Burgin. Once constructed, it will provide up to 400 inmates each year with targeted vocational technical education programs and intensive reentry services.
“KCTCS is the commonwealth’s affordable entry point to higher education and leading workforce provider. Through HB 5, we’ll be able to accelerate our work in providing training that leads to a job for our fair-chance population,” said Dr. Ryan Quarles, president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. “I want to thank Gov. Beshear and Secretary Jackson for their partnership, and Rep. Decker, Sen. Storm and their co-sponsors for their leadership in the General Assembly. One of the best predictors for decreasing recidivism is providing access to gainful employment. Economic development is our guide star, and this is one more way we’re helping Kentucky meet its workforce needs.”
The program will require inmates from across Kentucky’s state prisons to qualify and apply for participation and to maintain good behavior and success to remain in the program. Participating inmates will be enrolled as students in KCTCS and will receive vocational training in industries that support Kentucky’s booming economy. The facility’s intensive reentry services will prepare inmates for success in their jobs and communities upon release.
“Kentucky is safer when we work together to provide inmates with the skills and tools needed to get a good-paying job once their sentences are complete,” Department of Corrections Commissioner Cookie Crews said. “We’re excited to partner with our friends at KCTCS to make sure all our communities are made safer and generational cycles of crime are ended.”
House Bill 5, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Decker of Waddy, received bipartisan support at each stage of the legislative process, passing out of the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously.
“Because we have authorized the new school doors to be open here at Northpoint, I’m confident fewer prison doors will close behind Kentuckians in the years ahead,” said Rep. Decker. “Thank you again for this signing today, and may God richly use this bill and all our efforts to improve the commonwealth.”
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