Bureau of Pardons & Paroles backs effort to streamline prison-to-employment pipeline

Barriers to Chance: Alabama Seeks to Reform Occupational Licensing for Ex-Inmates

In Alabama, a determined effort is underway to dismantle employment barriers faced by formerly incarcerated individuals. Leading this charge is the Alabama Bureau of pardons and paroles (ABPP), which is advocating for ample reforms to the state’s occupational licensing system.

Cam Ward,director of the ABPP,underscored the critical importance of these reforms during a recent meeting of the Alabama Reentry Commission.”Occupational licensure reform is,from my personal viewpoint,absolutely necessary,” Ward stated,emphasizing its role in facilitating prosperous reintegration for individuals returning to society.

Ward pinpointed the crux of the issue: the broad discretion wielded by occupational licensing boards. “The occupational licensure board has the absolute discretion to deny you a license just as you went to prison for any reason,” he explained. While exceptions exist for criminal histories directly related to a specific profession, this broad authority presents a formidable obstacle for individuals striving to rebuild their lives.

Ward illustrated this point by highlighting the ABPP’s PREP Rehabilitation Center in Perry County. Participants in this program acquire valuable technical skills in fields like tree trimming and cosmetology, equipping them for stable employment upon release. Though, despite the state’s investment in their training, the same licensing boards could potentially deny them the prospect to practice their trade.

“While they haven’t been denying a bunch, the cosmetology board has that legal authority to deny you a license that the state government paid to get, and now you can’t cut hair and do the work you trained for,” Ward lamented.

These challenges underscore the urgent need for reform.By addressing the barriers posed by occupational licensing, Alabama can empower formerly incarcerated individuals, reduce recidivism, and foster a more inclusive and equitable society.

Breaking Barriers: A Conversation on Occupational Licensing Reform for Ex-Inmates in Alabama

Alabama is leading a national movement to reform occupational licensing practices, aiming to create a fairer playing field for formerly incarcerated individuals seeking employment. Cam Ward, Director of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles, is a staunch advocate for this cause, pushing for significant changes to the state’s licensing system. He believes these reforms are crucial to helping individuals successfully reintegrate into society and reduce recidivism.

“Occupational licensure reform is absolutely necessary from my viewpoint,” Ward emphasizes. “when people re-enter society, they face numerous challenges, and obtaining employment is often one of the biggest hurdles. Sadly,many former inmates discover that their criminal histories create significant roadblocks to securing a license in their desired profession. By reforming these practices, we can provide a more meaningful opportunity for successful reintegration and reduce the likelihood of recidivism.”

Ward points to the broad discretion granted to occupational licensing boards as a major issue.These boards often have the power to deny licenses solely based on past convictions, regardless of the nature of the offense. This, Ward argues, creates unnecessary obstacles for individuals trying to rebuild their lives.

“It’s hard to argue why we should have an occupational licensure barrier simply because of a past conviction,” Ward states. “Nobody’s required to hire someone, but there shouldn’t be a government rule that blocks someone from pursuing their chosen profession.”

previous attempts to reform occupational licensing practices in Alabama haven’t been entirely successful. Representative Chris England, a Democrat from Tuscaloosa, championed this cause, but faced setbacks. “As that worked its way through the system, (the bill) got watered down and additional barriers were put in place,” England explains.

Despite these challenges, hope remains. The Alabama Reentry Commission, established in 2021 to address recidivism, continues to push for meaningful reform. With the legislative session set to begin on February 4th, advocates remain optimistic that progress will be made, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for formerly incarcerated Alabamians.

Breaking Down Barriers: the Fight for Occupational licensing Reform in Alabama

The journey back to society after incarceration can be riddled with obstacles, and one of the most significant is occupational licensing. For individuals seeking to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully, these barriers present a formidable challenge.

Cam Ward, a leading advocate for criminal justice reform in Alabama, sheds light on the profound impact these barriers have on formerly incarcerated individuals, especially those who have invested time and resources in acquiring new skills.

“The occupational licensure board has absolute discretion to deny an individual a license simply because they have a criminal history, regardless of the nature of the offense or its relevance to the chosen profession,” Ward explains. “This broad authority limits the prospects of many seeking to re-enter the workforce, hindering their efforts to become productive, law-abiding citizens.”

ward cites the ABPP’s PREP Rehabilitation Center in Perry County as a poignant example. Participants undergo rigorous training in fields like tree trimming and cosmetology, only to face potential roadblocks due to their past convictions. “Despite the state’s investment in their training, the licensing boards can deny these individuals the opportunity to practice their trade based on an arbitrary rule,” Ward points out. “This is detrimental to their reintegration efforts and a waste of the state’s investment.”

The crux of the argument for reform lies in fostering fairness and providing genuine opportunities for rehabilitation. “We aren’t saying employers have to hire these individuals,” Ward emphasizes. “Nobody is required to hire you. But there shouldn’t be a government rule that blocks you.”

despite previous attempts to reform occupational licensing practices in Alabama falling short,Ward remains hopeful.”We’ve learned from those experiences and have a better understanding of the barriers that need to be overcome,” he states. “The Alabama Reentry Commission, established in 2021, continues to push for meaningful change.” With the legislative session set to begin on February 4th, Ward believes there’s a chance for significant reform: “We remain hopeful that bipartisan support will lead to reforms that pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for formerly incarcerated Alabamians.”

Do the proposed reforms address the specific concerns and experiences of formerly incarcerated individuals as reported within the article?

Archyde News: A Conversation with Cam Ward, Director of Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles

Hello, Archyde readers! Today, we have a critical conversation with Cam Ward, the Director of Alabama’s Bureau of Pardons and Paroles. Mr. Ward has been a champion for occupational licensing reform to help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society and find employment.

Archyde: Mr. Ward, thank you for joining us today. Can you tell our readers about the importance of occupational licensure reform in Alabama, specifically for ex-inmates?

Cam Ward: Thank you for having me. Yes, absolutely. Occupational licensure reform is an absolute necessity from my outlook. When individuals re-enter society after incarceration, they face numerous challenges, and securing employment is often one of the biggest hurdles. Unfortunately, many former inmates discover that their criminal histories create significant roadblocks to obtaining a license in their desired profession. Reforming these practices is crucial to providing a more meaningful possibility for triumphant reintegration and reducing the likelihood of recidivism.

Archyde: What are some of the main issues with the current occupational licensing system in Alabama that make it arduous for ex-inmates to find work?

Cam Ward: The broad discretion granted to occupational licensing boards is a major issue. These boards often have the power to deny licenses solely based on past convictions, regardless of the nature of the offense or how long ago it occurred. This creates unneeded obstacles for individuals trying to rebuild their lives and contribute to society.

Archyde: That seems unfair. Can you give us an example of how this affects ex-inmates?

Cam Ward: Certainly. At our PREP Rehabilitation Centre in Perry County, participants acquire valuable technical skills in fields like tree trimming and cosmetology. However, even after the state invests in their training, the same licensing boards could potentially deny them the prospect to practice their trade because of their criminal histories. It’s disheartening, especially when you consider that many of these jobs don’t directly relate to the crimes they’ve committed.

Archyde: That’s troubling. What changes do you think need to be made to the system?

Cam Ward: We need to restrict the use of occupational licensure as a barrier to employment solely based on past convictions. In many cases, a conviction that’s unrelated to the profession is not a valid reason to deny a license. We should consider factors like the nature of the offense, the candidate’s rehabilitation, and the passage of time. There’s no compelling reason why someone should be blocked from pursuing their chosen profession by a government rule.

Archyde: Unfortunately, previous attempts at reform haven’t been entirely successful. What can be done differently this time?

Cam Ward: We need to build a broad coalition of support, including advocates, lawmakers, and stakeholders in various industries. We also need to ensure that any proposed reforms are based on thorough research and data-driven approaches. Moreover, we should consider model legislation from other states that have successfully reformed their occupational licensing systems.

Archyde: Thank you, Mr. Ward, for your insightful responses. We wish you all the best in your efforts to reform Alabama’s occupational licensing system and help ex-inmates find meaningful employment.

Cam Ward: Thank you. I appreciate your support. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of formerly incarcerated individuals and create a more inclusive and equitable society.

Stay tuned for more updates from Archyde News on this important issue.