Pathway to Freedom

Pathway to Freedom (PTF) is an in-prison pre-release program that restores participants to the community. Women voluntarily apply to be enrolled in the PTF program while they are incarcerated. After they apply, the PTF staff screens and interviews them. Based on the results, a list is forwarded to the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) for their review. The ADOC makes the final selection. Women participate in three parts of a societal reentry prototype during their incarceration. In part A, participating women are housed in a separate part of the correctional facility and take part in a faith-based curriculum that includes life and job skills, substance abuse prevention, and initial family outreach. Part B (partly implemented) involves moving the women to a work release camp or transitional facility which includes curriculum reinforcement, a more structured environment, emphasis on money management skills, and on-site family counseling. Part C is the transition to the community phase and includes assistance with job placement, relapse strategies, partnering with local agencies, and continued family counseling. All three parts offer victim/offender programs.