North Carolina has stepped into the spotlight with a pioneering initiative that could set a new standard for the nation when it comes to supporting those exiting the prison system. The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) recently rolled out what they claim is the country's first-ever "Reentry 2030 Dashboard," an online tool designed to monitor and track the state's reintegration efforts for formerly incarcerated individuals, as reported by their website.
Introduced in a meeting of the Joint Reentry Council on September 11, which First Lady Anna Stein also attended, the dashboard is not just a static page – it's interactive, live,, and richly detailed in its portrayal of the state's progress. "North Carolina is leading the way in how we provide reentry services," NCDAC Secretary Leslie Cooley Dismukes stated, as detailed on the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction official announcement. The platform outlines four overarching goals, 26 objectives, and multiple strategies and metrics to gauge their success or lack thereof, including clear indications when certain objectives have yet to begin.
First Lady Stein praised the dashboard, emphasizing its significance: "Providing incarcerated people with the tools and resources to succeed after reentry is crucial, whether through job readiness or mental health services. This dashboard is a valuable resource to ensure we stay on track for Reentry 2030," as mentioned on the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction website. Along with the performance metrics and objectives, the dashboard offers testimonials from formerly incarcerated individuals who have benefited from North Carolina's programs while still in state custody.
The Reentry 2030 initiative, steered by The Council of State Governments, has found a committed partner in North Carolina. The state's efforts are a follow-up to an executive order inked by former Gov. Roy Cooper back in January 2024, focusing on a collaborative, government-wide approach to helping those transitioning from incarceration back into society. "I am very impressed by the work done to create this Reentry 2030 dashboard," said NCDAC Deputy Secretary for Rehabilitation and Reentry George Pettigrew, "The public can keep track of the hard work our staff and other state organizations are doing to improve the lives of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people," as per the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction website.
