South Raleigh News

Governor Roy Cooper has announced the release of the first Reentry 2030 Progress Report, as directed by Executive Order 303. This report outlines progress made towards the objectives, strategies, and metrics set by the Joint Reentry Council in its Reentry 2030 Strategic Plan, which was introduced in August. The document also includes updated state reentry accomplishments and recommendations for legislative actions to improve reentry in North Carolina during the upcoming 2025 session.

“The Reentry 2030 Initiative is both the right thing and the smart thing to do for our state,” said Governor Cooper. “It’s the right thing to give people opportunities to be ready for release from prison with strategies to take care of themselves and their responsibilities along with the training to get a job. It’s also the smart thing to reduce repeat offenders and keep the public safe.”

Todd Ishee, Department of Adult Correction Secretary and Joint Reentry Council Chair, remarked on the achievements made within the first year of this initiative. “The Joint Reentry Council and our statewide network of stakeholders have been instrumental in our historic work to improve reentry in North Carolina,” he stated. “This is only our first Progress Report, and the achievements we’ve made in the first year are a testament to the dedication and passion our Reentry 2030 initiative has inspired.”

Megan Quattlebaum, director of the CSG Justice Center, acknowledged North Carolina's pioneering efforts since joining Reentry 2030 earlier this year. “When North Carolina became one of the first states to join Reentry 2030 in January, the state laid out bold goals for improving reentry dramatically by 2030,” she said. “Since then, North Carolina has rapidly built up partnerships, mapped out a plan to achieve the Governor’s vision, and achieved key successes that will have an impact on thousands of North Carolinians."

Of 133 strategies outlined in August's strategic plan, 50 are either underway or completed. Furthermore, out of 95 performance metrics included in that plan, baseline statistics have been collected for 68 so far. This progress highlights collaboration among state agencies, reentry partners, and subcommittees within the Joint Reentry Council.

The report also offers legislative recommendations for consideration by the General Assembly during its next session in 2025. Many suggestions focus on investing in expanding successful existing reentry programs across various state agencies.