On Monday morning, the governor will ceremonially sign House Bill 5, a measure aimed at expanding job training and opening new pathways into the workforce for individuals who are currently incarcerated or transitioning back into society.
The bill, which advanced swiftly through the legislature with unanimous support, sets the foundation for Kentucky’s first reentry campus—an initiative supporters say could bolster both public safety and the state’s workforce.
The legislation creates a prison education program within the Department of Corrections in partnership with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). The program will operate at Northpoint Training Center and will emphasize hands-on training in high-demand fields, equipping inmates with practical skills before their release.
Under the law, officials will select eligible participants based on factors such as academic background, job readiness, and their willingness to meet strict behavioral and attendance requirements. Certain convictions, including violent escape offenses and sex crimes, will disqualify inmates from taking part. Those who complete the program can earn a certificate of employability—documentation that may help them secure jobs and reduce barriers when applying for occupational licenses.
House Bill 5 also revises state law to ensure individuals are not automatically disqualified from public employment or licensing solely due to a past conviction. Instead, a certificate of employability can serve as proof of rehabilitation.
Lawmakers introduced the bill in February, and it was signed into law earlier this month.
The ceremonial signing takes place during Second Chance Month, a nationwide observance held each April to raise awareness about the challenges people face after incarceration. Advocates say those barriers—ranging from employment to housing—impact millions of Americans, with nearly one in three adults having some form of criminal record.
Programs like the one outlined in House Bill 5 aim to confront those challenges directly by preparing individuals for employment before they return to their communities.
That approach is already in practice at businesses like DV8 Kitchen, which focuses on hiring people in recovery or with criminal histories. Owner Rob Perez says success depends not only on offering a job but also on providing structure and support.
“Misconceptions are that the folks that are needing a job have a limited capacity for success. All they need is a second chance. They need structure, they need accountability, and they need dignity. And that’s what meaningful employment does,” Perez said. “At DV8, we’ve kind of proven that it can work. I mean, we’re profitable, we’re growing, and our people are thriving.”
Perez says employers often hesitate to hire people with a record, believing it requires too many resources—but he disagrees.
“I think employers assume it takes too much time, effort, or money, and I don’t agree with that. I believe that when it’s applied correctly, it’s no more difficult than employing anyone else,” he said.
He also recognizes the potential of the state’s new prison education initiative, which is expected to reach hundreds of inmates.
At DV8 Kitchen alone, 42 employees are part of its second-chance workforce across its restaurants and bakery—something Perez says demonstrates the model’s success when people are given the right opportunity.
“What we see is that when they’re given structure and accountability and the dignity of meaningful employment, they have unlimited capacity for success,” he said.
As Kentucky begins rolling out its new reentry campus, supporters hope it will build on that same concept—providing people not just a second chance, but the tools to make it meaningful.
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