July 3rd marked a powerful milestone at the Perry County PREP Center, as the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles celebrated its 10th graduating class. The energy in the room was unmistakable—more than 50 new graduates, each one a testament to the possibilities that open up when people are given real support and a second chance.
Since opening in April 2022, the center has helped nearly 400 individuals earn their diplomas. Perhaps most striking is the statistic that continues to surprise and inspire: not a single graduate has returned to incarceration. Zero percent recidivism isn’t just a number; it reflects hundreds of stories of determination, growth, and hope.
“The PREP Center has become a best practice and blueprint for what’s working in reentry,” ABPP Director Cam Ward said. “This is a life-changing program that provides the tools, knowledge, and guidance, whether that’s job training, mental health counselling, or substance use treatment for formerly incarcerated Alabamians to succeed in life after prison. Of course, this model and its success are only possible thanks to our great partners and our folks on the front lines.”
Graduates like Micah Williams stated how the program goes beyond technical skills, nurturing confidence and a sense of purpose. “People make mistakes, but that doesn’t make you a mistake,” reminded Annette Funderburk, President of J.F. Ingram State Technical College, echoing a message of compassion that resonated with everyone present.
Words of encouragement came from all corners: partners, educators, board members, and those who have walked the same path. Lakrystal Love, Program Director for GEO Reentry Services, urged graduates to move forward boldly, recognizing the progress they’ve made and the strength they carry. Michael Brackin of the Fatherhood Initiative spoke about the importance of owning one’s story and building strong support systems, themes that wove through the entire event.
Behind the scenes, partnerships with organizations like Alabama Community College System, Ingram State Technical College, Alabama Power, and others have been vital to the PREP Center’s ongoing success. Their collaboration ensures that each graduate has access to education, job opportunities, and the kind of guidance that turns hope into real change.
The 10th graduation did more than celebrate academic achievement; it marked a turning point for dozens of individuals who now look toward the future with new skills and new confidence. The PREP Center’s ongoing commitment to public safety, rehabilitation, and reentry stands as a reminder that real transformation is possible, and that with the right tools and support, people can and do rewrite their stories.