Governor Cooper has just issued a new executive order, directing a ‘whole-of-government’ coordination to significantly enhance reentry services for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals across the state of North Carolina.
Executive Order No. 303 specifically collaboration with various state agencies, aims to bolster rehabilitation and streamline the reintegration process.
“Strengthening reentry services for formerly incarcerated people is both the right and smart thing to do,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Employers are looking for new and skilled workers while many formerly incarcerated people are eager to change their lives, get a job and join their communities. This Executive Order directs a whole-of-government approach to improve reentry services, strengthen our economy, make communities safer and give people the second chance they deserve.”
As part of this initiative, North Carolina joins the national Reentry2030 campaign, committing to ambitious goals by 2030. These include increasing educational achievements for incarcerated individuals by 75%, reducing post-release homelessness by 50%, and expanding reentry assistance across all counties. The state also aims to enhance educational and apprenticeship opportunities within correctional facilities and increase partnerships for second chance employment.
The Executive Order mandates specific actions from each cabinet agency and the Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission. These include improving access to career services, facilitating eligibility for benefits like SNAP and Medicaid, and providing resources for obtaining driver’s licenses. It also focuses on supporting justice-involved veterans and enhancing education and transition services for youth in the juvenile justice system.
Additionally, the order strengthens prison education programs, integrating them into the Prison Education Consortium to ensure they lead to market-relevant qualifications. A Joint Reentry Council is established to create a strategic plan with measurable goals for improving reentry and to monitor progress towards these objectives.
What do you think about the new executive order?
