By Matthew Estes, Communications Director
Sipsey, Ala. – On Tuesday, at a commencement ceremony at Kingdom Impact Church in Sipsey, the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles recognized 13 graduates from the Jasper Day Reporting Center Lite. DRC Lites provide counseling, educational training, job skills, and supervision for probationers and parolees.
Administrator Jonathan Rattliffe provided a brief introduction and acknowledged the executive staff in attendance, along with his Jasper DRC Lite colleagues and the staff of the Jasper Field Office. Due to their joined locations, the field office and DRC Lite staff often assist each other with responsibilities. Rattliffe also credited the graduates’ families, who provided transportation and support for the graduates’ strict reporting schedule. “There’s no shortcut to success,” said Rattliffe to the graduates, advising them to maintain good character even when they think nobody is watching.
Social Services Caseworker Londonise Lockett, who recently won Support Staff of the Year for going above and beyond in providing access to community resources, took time to acknowledge each community partner and their specific contributions by name. Alongside the Bureau’s partnership with the Alabama Community College System, nearby Bevill State Community College provided the participants with education and certificate programs and is a key part of consistent graduate success.
Current DRC Lite graduate Suzanne Barnett then addressed her peers, paying special recognition to the staff and family members for giving the graduates a “second or even third or fourth chance.” She reflected on the life experiences bringing her to substance use, but was moved to tears thinking about her journey to being clean through the DRC Lite’s treatment program. “To succeed in this journey, you must change your people, places and things,” said Barnett to the graduates, advising them to pay special attention to the consequences of their actions.
Author and Certified Recovery Support Specialist Larry Leeth provided the keynote address. Leeth drew from his eight years of incarceration to provide support to those facing a similar journey. “It’s not about handcuffs, it’s about helping,” said Leeth, who credited the many agencies and organizations in Alabama, DRCs included, focused on helping those who faced substance use and incarceration.
The staff also posthumously presented a certificate to the family of Jon Roberts, a graduate of the program who passed away earlier this year. Finally, after the presentation of the certificates, the participants heard brief remarks from former Rep. Oliver Robinson, who works closely with many justice-involved individuals.
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.
