Gov. Beshear creates council on second-chance employment and reentry

KENTUCKY ( FOX 56 ) — Kentucky is looking to expand its reentry services when an inmate's time behind bars is served.

At least 95% percent of those paying a debt to society in Kentucky will one day hear the words 'time served.' When that day comes, Gov. Andy Beshear wants the state to offer a smoother transition back to normal life. On Thursday, he signed an executive order creating a 15-member council of second-chance employers.

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"What it's going to do is give us folks that not only can communicate the success that they have had with second chance employment, but they also can provide feedback for us and our programs to make sure we're doing it right," Beshear said.

Beshear said the group, made up of employers across several industries from healthcare, food service, construction, transportation, and more, will advocate for laws and investments that improve reentry outcomes and make former convicts less likely to re-offend.

"The goal is to reduce recidivism, thereby reducing crime, all while increasing our labor workforce while putting families back together and providing stability. That is a win, win, win. If and when we do it right," Beshear said.

The work has already started to launch a licensed cosmetology school at Kentucky's only female prison. Gov. Beshear said he wants to explore options to partner with more institutions to bring programs that allow inmates to leave custody with skills that lead to employment.

"Women who complete the program will be able to test to obtain a cosmetology license. The licensing will open the door to a good job and a better life for them and their families," he said.

The announcement comes after the state launched a second-chance website in April with job, education, and recovery resources: secondchance.ky.gov.