Little Rock, Arkansas – In a unanimous vote last Friday, the Arkansas Board of Corrections approved Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ new pilot program aimed at reducing recidivism across the state’s prison system. The initiative, which will begin with 100 inmates, is designed to address the root causes of reoffending by helping incarcerated individuals prepare for re-entry into society.
“As Governor, I have been tough on crime, which is why I signed the Protect Act, opened more than 1,500 prison beds in existing facilities, and am working to build a new 3,000-bed prison,” said Governor Sanders. “But a major goal of incarceration is rehabilitation, and right now, our state isn’t doing enough to prepare inmates for re-entry into society. This pilot program will address many of the issues that cause former inmates to recommit, like lack of housing, employment, and substance abuse treatment. Ultimately, we want to expand this program statewide to lower Arkansas’ recidivism rate and prepare inmates for a healthy, well-adjusted life outside prison.”
The program will be launched at an existing Arkansas Department of Corrections facility and will focus on inmates within six months of their scheduled release. It will repurpose existing resources and operate without additional funding for now.
Housing, Employment, and Community Support at the Core
One of the most urgent challenges for individuals exiting prison is finding safe and stable housing. To meet this need, the pilot program will involve coordination between state agencies, community groups, and employers to secure transitional housing. Some supervision terms will also be adjusted to allow participants to live, work, and travel together when part of structured employment partnerships.
To remove common bureaucratic obstacles, the program will bring government services directly into the facility to help inmates obtain vital documents such as birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and social security cards. A newly created “Case Manager” position will provide personalized support for each participant, connecting them with parole officers, sponsors from the faith community, and other key services.
Addressing Substance Abuse and Mental Health Needs
Incarcerated individuals often face serious struggles with addiction and mental illness. Through partnerships with state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based groups, the pilot program will offer evidence-based treatments for substance use and psychological challenges. Upon release, inmates will be linked with local recovery groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, trauma counseling, and primary healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care.
Another feature of the program involves improving inmates’ ability to stay connected with their families during incarceration. Contracts for phone and visitation services will be revised to allow for more affordable and frequent contact with loved ones, which is known to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
Building Skills and Earning While Incarcerated
Employment plays a critical role in post-release success. The pilot program will offer job training and on-site industry experience to help inmates build marketable skills while still incarcerated. Collaborating with employers and nonprofit partners, the initiative aims to provide real earning potential, job-readiness preparation, and direct pathways to employment after release.
State officials say that this is just the beginning. The pilot will be monitored closely, and if successful, it could expand statewide.
