Chairman Cam Ward Releases 2025 Prisoner Re-Entry Report
Reported by Mike Hobson
September 26, 2025
Cam Ward is well known in Bibb County. He formerly served as a State Representative and an Alabama Senator representing Bibb County, before accepting an appointment from Governor Ivey to lead the Pardon & Parole division.
In his 2025 annual report Director Ward had this to say: “On behalf of Governor Ivey and our state legislative leadership, it has been an honor to serve as chairman of the Reentry Commission. Spanning public and private sectors, this team is comprised of excellent leaders from across the state who came together over the past year to study the state’s reentry systems – or the pathways and prospects open to formerly incarcerated Alabamians after their release. Through our work, the Commission devised a strategic plan with recommendations to build an even stronger, safer state by lowering recidivism.
Lowering recidivism benefits Alabama’s economy just as much as it impacts public safety. People with good paying jobs are incentivized to keep those jobs, take care of their families and stay out of trouble. They do not want to go back to prison. Instead, our data finds that they are using the tools, knowledge and training provided by Alabama’s reentry programs to benefit businesses’ bottom-line. Whether it’s welding at state docks, construction with home builders, repairing high tech machines for advanced manufacturers or prepping for new powerlines with utility providers, the people who have participated in Alabama reentry systems’ programming are succeeding in life after prison.
However, we know we can do more.
Over the past year, the Reentry Commission met with leaders, advocates and other stakeholders to get a better understanding of challenges faced by those reintegrating into society after prison – especially our neighbors who have fallen through the cracks. Each commission member siphoned through the data and determined the best solutions to address these challenges. This report highlights our committee’s findings and offers recommendations for the future of reentry in Alabama.
The report also highlights the myriad achievements of our state agencies: the education and training offered by the Alabama Community College System and Ingram State Technical College, substance use treatment programs developed by the Alabama Department of Mental Health, job placement offered by the Alabama Department of Workforce and rehabilitation efforts like the Perry County PREP Center and
our network of Day Reporting Centers – where programming centers on education, training, addiction recovery and counseling. Since its opening in 2022, well over 300 graduates have completed the PREP program, and not one has returned to prison. This success demonstrates that when we invest in second chances, we are not just changing individual lives but strengthening our entire state.
Alabama’s reentry systems are strong thanks to the partnership and dedication of our state agencies, private sector job creators and various stakeholders. This collaborative approach and the support of our state’s elected leaders will help break the cycle of crime, promote lasting change and lessen the burden of incarceration on Alabama’s taxpayers. By continuing to enhance reentry in our state, we can help build a brighter future for all Alabamians.
If you are interested in data and details you can download the entire 2025 Re-Entry Report and read it at this link.
Sources: Alabama Department of Pardon & Parole
