By Matthew Estes, Communications Director
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – On Wednesday, Feb. 15, 11 participants from the Montgomery Day Reporting Center graduated from the program, celebrated by a commencement ceremony and luncheon at Troy University’s Montgomery Campus.
After a processional, Montgomery DRC Administrator Phillip Spencer acknowledged all guests for coming to support the graduates. Rebecca Bensema, the Bureau’s Assistant Director for Reentry, thanked all community partners and supporters of the program.
“We are so proud of the reentry work being done by the staff and community stakeholders at the Montgomery DRC,” said Bensema. “The results of this effort can be seen in the hopeful faces of these graduates. I am proud to call each of these graduates coworkers, neighbors and friends.”
Dr. Scott Holmes, who currently serves as Clinical Director of Behavioral Health Services for the Alabama Department of Youth Services, was the keynote speaker. Holmes used an extensive background serving in Alabama’s criminal justice agencies and organizations to relate with the graduates, giving them a hopeful message of encouragement through life’s inevitable upcoming challenges.
Diplomas were presented by Day Reporting Center District Manager Stephanie Stewart.
“It was such a pleasure to witness these graduates celebrate their successful completion of the Day Reporting Center program. The messages were certainly inspiring; in fact, I observed the graduates responding with smiles and lifted spirits.” said Stewart.
The audience also heard a testimony from Manford Chaffin, who described his experiences in the program and how it set him on a course for good. Afterward, Director Cam Ward delivered a closing message of encouragement and reiterated the need for rehabilitative programs like DRCs to further recidivism reduction in Alabama.
Five participants were in attendance, while the remaining six had either moved to a different location, could not leave employment, or were otherwise unable to attend. The Bureau gratefully acknowledges Troy University, along with J.F. Ingram State Technical College and all community partners, for their involvement in the DRC program and this event. DRCs provide counseling, educational training and supervision for probationers and parolees. With a focus on employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, mental health, and cognitive restructuring needs, DRC staff is committed to reducing recidivism rates and improving public safety through behavior change. Currently, full Day Reporting Centers are located in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa. Day Reporting Center Lites, condensed versions of DRCs offering similar treatment, are located in Albertville, Bay Minette, Fort Payne, Opelika and Jasper.
