IGNITE: Building Safer Communities Through Education and Opportunity

Every year, millions of people move through local jails across the United States. Most will return to their communities within weeks. What happens during that time matters. Sheriff Mark Pettway has made a clear choice: use that time to prepare people for what comes next.

A National Model, Local Impact

Jefferson County is part of the National Sheriffs’ Association’s IGNITE program, a growing national effort focused on education, accountability, and reentry success.

“IGNITE is about changing outcomes. When people leave our facility, we want them better prepared than when they came in.”
— Sheriff Mark Pettway

Across Alabama, multiple counties are now adopting IGNITE, creating one of the largest statewide expansions of the program in the country. Jefferson County has also introduced a GED testing site directly inside the jail, the first of its kind in Alabama, removing one of the most common barriers to completion: access. Historically, incarcerated individuals have faced delays due to transportation challenges, limited testing availability, and long wait times. By bringing testing into the facility, participants can move from coursework to completion without interruption, accelerating their progress and strengthening their ability to successfully reenter the community.

Students are selected for the program through collaboration between the Education Training Coordinator and jail staff, with a focus on individuals best suited for participation. The program is designed to change the culture of incarceration and reduce the stigma associated with returning to the community.

Innovation Inside the Jail: Virtual Labs and Workforce Training

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office goes beyond academics by connecting education to real work opportunities after release. Through partnerships with local institutions, participants can begin training in high-demand fields like HVAC, electrical work, and plumbing.

The program also uses a virtual lab that allows incarcerated individuals to work toward certifications and build skills in HVAC and other in-demand trades. In addition, virtual reality training gives participants a chance to practice real-world job scenarios, strengthen communication, and improve decision-making in a safe environment. Together, these efforts help build both skills and confidence before release.

Building Pathways for Reentry

In an effort to accomplish this goal, Sheriff Mark Pettway has built partnerships with Lawson State Community College, The Dannon Project, and a coalition of faith-based organizations, nonprofits, and service agencies that provide wraparound support to program participants. These individuals are given the opportunity to take charge of their future in meaningful ways, with access to the tools and support needed to reduce the likelihood of returning to the criminal justice system.

“When we believe in people and equip them with opportunities, we ignite hope, transform lives, and build safer communities, one second chance at a time.”
— Sheriff Mark Pettway

By launching IGNITE, along with the state’s first GED testing center inside a county jail, Jefferson County is expanding access to education in a way that directly impacts outcomes.

This reflects a broader shift in how jails can operate, not just as holding facilities, but as places where people prepare for what comes next. Jefferson County continues to expand this work in partnership with local, state, and national leaders.