The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has been actively involved in a state reentry program that is breaking new ground for formerly incarcerated individuals, providing them with opportunities for employment in transportation work. Born out of a larger vision to ease the transition of former prisoners back into society, this program has set in motion ways for these individuals to acquire jobs, healthcare, housing, and identification cards, which are crucial for societal reintegration.
In January 2024, former Gov. Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 303, an initiative aimed at bolstering reentry services, which has continued under the current administration of Gov. Josh Stein. According to a statement provided by the NCDOT, the Transitional Work Pilot program has expanded existing work release efforts, setting a foundation for a more prepared life post-incarceration. NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins iterated that the program's focus on "removing barriers, creating job opportunities, and improving reentry services" is pivotal to curtailing crime and relapse cycles.
Aiding in the practical aspects of these ambitions, NCDOT's On the Job Training program recently culminated its first transportation work training academy for five individuals who have walked the difficult path of incarceration. "The work is part of NCDOT’s Highway Construction Trade Academies," as Rhonda Royster, the Workforce Development manager for NCDOT, was quoted saying in an announcement. Upon completion of the specialized training, each participant was promptly hired for transportation construction work in the Raleigh area.
Furthering its commitment to reentry assistance, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is now stepping efforts to issue state ID cards to eligible individuals before their prison release. These identification cards are often gates to admission for primary needs. NCDOT, according to the department's own reports, has been successful in connecting these individuals with daily maintenance work in Charlotte via a contract with the Center for Employment Opportunities, which includes services such as roadside maintenance and traffic control.
Fostering the ambition of the executive order, Deputy Secretary for Adult Correction George Pettigrew emphasized the importance of the close collaboration with NCDOT.
Ebony Pittman, NCDOT’s deputy secretary for Business Administration, drew attention to the very real challenges that face formerly incarcerated individuals – including "significantly lower callback rates from potential employers". The program according to Pittman, is a vital stepping stone, a means to provide these individuals with "a meaningful pathway" and restore a sense of hope in their own future.
