An Alabama reentry pilot aimed at reducing repeat offenses is expanding to Workforce Alabama as state agencies look to better connect probationers and parolees with employment, treatment and other services.

The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles announced the expansion Thursday as part of its partnership with technology provider Unite Us, the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

The program uses Unite Us’ “closed-loop” referral system, allowing probation and parole officers and other participating agencies to identify an individual’s needs, connect them with service providers and track whether those referrals ultimately result in assistance.

Services available through the network include substance abuse and mental health treatment, housing, employment, health care, education and career training.

“We realized our agencies’ target populations and mission work overlap, and by using technology to drive efficiency, we can work smarter, together and break down government silos,” ABPP Director Cam Ward said.

Ward said the partnership could improve the state’s response across public safety, crisis intervention, workforce development and veterans services.

The pilot began in 2025 with funding from the Alabama Opioid Commission’s Opioid Treatment and Abatement Fund. ABPP initially partnered with Unite Us, the Department of Mental Health and Department of Veterans Affairs before adding Workforce Alabama this month.

The workforce expansion could help connect parolees and probationers with employers looking for workers in skilled trades and manufacturing, while the broader network can help justice-involved veterans access services available through the state.

ABPP said the system will also give the agency better data on which services individuals are using, whether referrals are successful and where gaps remain in Alabama’s reentry system.

The Bureau plans to bring additional state agencies into the pilot as it expands.

ABPP oversees approximately 44,000 individuals on probation and parole across Alabama and operates day reporting centers and other programs intended to support supervision and successful reentry.

Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].