Job Honor Awards

After nearly nine years in prison, New Jersey State Organizer, Mike Winans is fighting to make sure every New Jerseyan gets a real second chance. In NJ, most people on supervision who return to prison didn’t commit a new crime. They’re sent back for non-criminal violations, such as missing a check-in or experiencing a relapse. That changes now. Lawmakers have introduced the Substance Abuse Recovery & Accountability Act, evidence-based reforms that could change the lives of ~13,000 people on supervision, supporting them in reentry and rebuilding while strengthening public safety. These reforms will: ✅ Expand incentives that support successful reentry ✅ Prioritize treatment and recovery over punishment ✅ Bring NJ in line with 20+ states that have modernized their systems with proven results 📣 Thank you @GovMurphy & @SSpeight4NJ for your leadership. Watch Mike’s story and join the movement for a fairer, safer New Jersey. tr.ee/jxRTUvC3u6 #NJLeg

“I risked going back to prison to help my daughter.” 🚗 When Daniel Lynn Brown’s daughter’s car broke down in Colorado, he faced an impossible choice: risk violating federal supervision to help her or do nothing and feel powerless as a father. Stories like Daniel’s show why we need the Safer Supervision Act, a common-sense bill that restores supervision to its original purpose: supporting success and protecting public safety. We should be investing in families, not punishing parents for just showing up. 🔗 Learn more about Daniel’s story and why we need Congress to pass the #SaferSupervisionAct reformalliance.com/blog/dani…

“If you make a mistake, you admit, you fix it, and you move on.” That’s the ethos at Early Morning Harvest, a family farm in Panora, Iowa, where second chance hiring is helping fill extreme labor shortages while giving people currently or formerly on supervision an opportunity to get back on their own two feet. 🌾 As a member of our Iowans United for Opportunity Coalition, Farmer Jeff Hafner knows that people who take responsibility for their pasts and work to rebuild their lives demonstrate good character and make for ideal employees. He shows up to work every day to give people a fair shot and sees people for what they’re willing to contribute today, not the worst mistakes of their past. We’re working with Iowans to make sure supervision policies and practices reflect that same belief: that everyone deserves the chance to learn, work, and move forward. Learn more and join us reformalliance.salsalabs.org… #secondchancehiring #fairchancehiring #WorkMatters

Did you know people on supervision can be sent back to prison for not having a job? Marie told us how she navigated the pressures of supervision—filling out 100+ applications, facing rejections, and being threatened with revocation—while trying to pay off restitution. Now she’s grateful to have a fair-chance job at ChaCha's Hiland Bakery in Des Moines—earning a paycheck, paying rent, and rebuilding with dignity. (Note: Marie asked for privacy, so we’re respecting her request by not showing her face.)

We’re joining a historic convening of probation and parole leaders from across the country to talk about how to create real change in our supervision system. ✨ TOMORROW ✨ join REFORM’s very own, CEO @JessicaJackson and @appa_network's Executive Director, Veronica Cunningham, for an inspiring fireside chat at APPA’s 50th Anniversary Training Institute. Jessica will share her inspiring journey and her groundbreaking work in criminal justice reform. She and Veronica will also discuss how evidence-based reforms are: ✅ Reducing recidivism ✅ Supporting families ✅ Strengthening communities ✅ Helping supervision officers do their best work Let us know if you’ll be there! 🗓 August 26 | 11:15 AM ET APPA’s 50th Annual Training Institute 📍NYC

Kyle knows how change happens: one conversation at a time. From Des Moines to Davenport, from neighborhood forums to black tie galas, our Iowa State organizer Kyle Horn stays on the move — making connections, finding common ground, and bringing REFORM’s mission to every corner of the state. Join us in making a difference: tr.ee/jxRTUvC3u6

🍰🤝 ChaCha's Hiland Bakery in Des Moines isn't just serving up delicious treats – they're whipping up real opportunities. This beloved local spot is a lifeline for people on supervision, providing vital jobs and a chance to rebuild their lives. Co-owner Ed Kirkman says it best: "They're just exemplary employees... It's a win-win for everybody." But here's where it gets tough: Outdated probation and parole laws are blocking folks on supervision from taking much-needed (and hard-to-fill) late and overnight shifts. That means Cha Cha's can't hire even more people who are eager to work. It's time to tear down these barriers. Let's empower more individuals to work and thrive, and help businesses like Cha Cha's tap into the talent they need. 🔗 Read Cha Cha’s Story: tr.ee/QFXz4lL7AF #SecondChances #FairHiring

REFORM's Iowa state organizer, Kyle Horn attended the 2025 FAMiLY Leadership Summit—an event bringing together leaders committed to strengthening families, communities, and culture through faith and service. We were grateful to be there representing the need for supervision reform alongside allies working to create a safer, stronger Iowa. #DSMUSA #SecondChances

Our New Jersey State Organizer, Mike Winans, has been pounding the pavement all across the state — making connections and learning about people's hopes for a better parole system. Change happens one conversation at a time. From Plainfield to Linden, Mike's been having those conversations and witnessing, in his words, "the power of the collective." Your experiences will help drive change. Join us in making a difference: tr.ee/jxRTUvC3u6 #ProbationAndParole

📍Big Moves in Iowa: New Faces, Same FightGreat time at our in-person Iowans United for Opportunity Coalition meeting at the historic Willkie House in Des Moines. We officially passed the torch from longtime organizer Kameron Middlebrooks to our new state organizer, Kyle Horn. Grateful to State Senator @izaahjbknox for joining us and standing with our movement for stronger, smarter supervision in Iowa. (Pictured: Kam Middlebrooks, Kyle Horn, Cody Bright, and Senator Izaah Knox) Join forces with us in Iowa: tr.ee/h7A4xqSQ9S #SecondChances #ProbationandParole

Meet Kyle Horn, REFORM’s new Iowa State Organizer. 👏 After years in the staffing world, Kyle saw how supervision blocks people from getting jobs and rebuilding their lives. Now, he’s on a mission to break down barriers and create real second chances. Join the movement for #SecondChances. Become a REFORMer. tr.ee/jxRTUvC3u6 #REFORMAlliance #CriminalJusticeReform