Second Chance: Free Parole Prep & Case Management

Every year, thousands of men and women in Alabama's prisons face one of the most critical moments of the lives, their parole hearing.  For many, this hearing represents the possibility of a second chance, an opportunity to return home to their families, and a chance to begin rebuilding their lives.  The reality is that most individuals are unprepared and uninformed about what they need to do to prepare for their hearings. They don't know what the board is looking for, they don't have a professional parole packet prepared, and they lack the support network that shows the board they are ready for release.

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Without guidance, to many people are denied parole, not because they are unworthy of another chance, but because they simply didn't have the tools or knowledge to demonstrate their readiness.  These denials don't just affect the individual.  They keep families apart, place greater strain on Alabama's overcrowded prison system, and deny communities the opportunity to benefit from the gifts and talents of people who are ready to contribute.

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At On The Way Home Reentry, we believe that finances should never be a barrier to freedom.  That's why we created the Paving the Way Home Initiative, a program dedicated to providing parole support and case management services completely free of charge.  Our mission is to aid in reintegrating incarcerated citizens into the community, reduce recidivism, and improve public safety through addressing the educational, employment, parole and probation, benefits, healthcare, housing and family relationship needs of prisoners reentering society.

Through this initiative, we provide:

• Personalized parole preparation. We work with each client to gather their history, accomplishments, educational achievements, work experience, and rehabilitation efforts into a clear and professional parole packet.
• Case Management. We don't stop at parole.  Out case mangers walk alongside clients as they plan for reentry, connecting them with housing resources, employment opportunities, educational programs, and mental health services.
• Family reunification support. We coordinate with families, ensuring that they are part of the reentry plan, strengthening support networks, and helping repair bonds strained by incarceration.
• Community connections.  We collaborate with parole officers, community organizations, and service providers to build a strong foundation for long-term success.

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The impact of this work is profound. Imagine a father who has spent years incarcerated, uncertain if he will ever return to his children.  With our help he is able to demonstrates his commitment to change.  His parole packet tells a story of his growth, his family support letters show the love waiting for him, and his reentry plan reassures the board that he has a stable path forward.  When parole is granted, his children don't just get their father back, they gain stability, hope, and the chance to grow up in a stronger family.

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Or picture a young man who made a mistake early in life. Without resources, his chances of convincing the board of his readiness would be slim. But through our free services, he learns how to advocate for himself, how to show his progress, and how to outline a realistic plan for the future.  When he returns home, our case managers continue working with him to secure housing, find work, and access mental health support.  His successful transition reduces the risk of recidivism and helps create safer, healthier communities for us all.

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This is why your support matters so much.  Every packet we prepare, every meeting we attend, every plan we help create costs time, resources, and staff support.  But we refuse to place that cost on the shoulders of people already facing immense barriers.  Instead, we're turning to you, our community, our partners, and our supporters to ensure that freedom, opportunity, and dignity are never dependent on someone's ability to pay.

Your donations to this campaign will directly fund:

• Staff support for case management and parole support.
• Printing, mailing, and compiling parole packets.
• Transportation assistance and communication tools for clients.
• Family reunification workshops and support services.
• Emergency client needs like ID's, clothing, or medical co-pays.

By contributing, you are doing more than donating, you are actively changing the trajectory of someone's life.  You are helping father's return to their children, mothers return to the families, and young people return to their communities with hope, dignity, and purpose.  You are also making Alabama safer by supporting proven, effective reentry strategies that reduce recidivism and build stronger communities.

We aim to serve 50-100 individuals each year, and every dollar raised brings us closer to that goal.  With your help, we can ensure that no one has to face the parole process or the challenges of reentry alone. Together, we can pave the way home for men and women who are ready for a second chance.

Your support is more than a donation.