More than 30 people watched as over a dozen inmates from Athens-Clarke County entered a vacant cell block at the county jail on Wednesday, April 2. Each of them donned suits – a visible symbol of the achievements they had earned over the past few months.
Now in its second year, the Clarke County Reentry Success program expanded in 2025, introducing more participants, peer support groups, mentoring sessions, and lessons in life skills, economics, psychology, and socioeconomics – insights that could shape their futures.
For six weeks, leaders from local nonprofits and social support organizations dedicated their time to teaching these men valuable skills, instilling core values, and imparting knowledge to help them succeed beyond incarceration at no cost.
“From the first week of the class to the last, I think you see a big difference,” Clarke County Sheriff John Q. Williams said. “It’s not just cosmetic…the biggest thing is: If we can connect them with employment, housing, so they don’t get thrust back right into what got them in here – that’s the biggest impact we can have.”
Of the 17 participants who began the program, 13 graduated this week. Of those who didn’t, three were released from jail before the ceremony, while one had a court appearance at the time.
Throughout the program, all 13 graduates lived together in a dedicated cell block without supervision, coexisting peacefully – a testament to their commitment to change.
Shane Sims, from the nonprofit mentorship group Principles Over Passion, emphasized the importance of self-awareness in the reform process. He urged graduates to recognize and address their trauma before they could fully overcome it.
“True healing does not happen when we change behaviors, so to speak, but when we change the drivers of those bad behaviors,” Shane Sims with nonprofit peer mentor group Principles over Passion said. “What I tell the guys is – ‘You are not responsible for what happened to you.’ To a certain point, you are not responsible for the way you respond to what happened to you…however, it is your responsibility to take control of your life by controlling your actions.”
Lemuel Laroche, of Chess and Community, reinforced the importance of critical thinking and conflict resolution.
“It’s easy to respond,” he said. “It’s easy to react to anything. Think before you move. How do you respond to a situation rather than react to a situation? Remember conflict resolution: The ability to think things through and speak things through.”
Regional efforts
Stephens County, Sheriff Rusty Fulbright announced efforts to secure a $750,000 grant to improve rehabilitation programs, including drug and alcohol treatment and potential GED courses for inmates.
“We’re actively working on it and trying to get the process moving,” Fulbright said.
Similarly, the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office is exploring options to expand educational opportunities. According to spokesperson Rob Moore, limited jail space restricts available programs, but the county is in early discussions with North Georgia Technical College about bringing a mobile GED facility to the jail.
