Today was a chance for reentry advocates to take their message to the State Capitol.
The state of Arkansas has the fastest growing prison population in the country, according to a recent report by the Council of State Governments Justice Center. Once released from prison, those felons face a whole new set of challenges when it comes to re-entering society.
“Doors are getting slammed in my face left and right, but you know what? I’m not giving up, and I’m continuing on with my education even though I still haven’t gotten to use my B.A. degree, which I would love to use,” said Kimberly Rogers, a reentry advocate who spent four years in prison for drug related offenses. “I’m a number still, nobody will give me a chance because the minute I say that I’m a convicted felon it doesn’t matter that they’re 15 years old, it’s out the door.”