The New Face of Reentry in Alabama: The PREP Center

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Officer Rebecca Bensema proudly serves the Bureau as Assistant Director for Reentry. In this role, she oversees all operations of Electronic Monitoring, Day Reporting Centers, Day Reporting Center Lite’s, the Transition Centers and other programs. She began her career with this agency in September 2001 as a Probation and Parole Officer. She was promoted to Senior Probation and Parole Officer in December 2005. In September 2016, she was promoted to Probation and Parole Manager of Special Populations and Programs, followed by Director of Special Populations soon after. While working as a Senior Probation and Parole Officer, Bensema served as an instructor for a grant-funded project through Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama at the Dale County Resource Center from June 2013 until September 2016. She was an adult education instructor at Wallace Community College from February 2015 until September 2016. Bensema is a member of the Reentry Commission and represents the Bureau on other committees that focus on support services for the justice-involved population served by the Bureau. Bensema graduated from Wallace Community College in 1998 with an Associate of Science Degree. In 1999, she graduated from Troy State University at Dothan with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. Her education continued with post graduate studies at Troy University. In 2004, she graduated with her Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.

Ms. LaShanda Hails has worked as the Director of Pardons and Paroles Programs at JF Ingram State Technical College since 2021. Ms. Hails joined the Alabama Department of Corrections in 2006 as a Classification Specialist Supervisor where she supervised the intake process of all individuals sentenced to incarceration in the State of Alabama. She was promoted to Classification Review Board Analyst in 2015, and then to Reentry/Education Coordinator in 2017. She left DOC to work as the Director of Correctional/Post Correctional Education Services for the Alabama Community College System before joining JF Ingram State Technical College. During her career, Ms. Hails also taught Criminal Justice courses as an Adjunct Instructor at both Faulkner University and Troy University in the Montgomery area. Ms. Hails received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, from Alabama State, and has a Master of Science in Adult Education from Troy University as well as a Master of Science in Justice & Public Safety from Auburn University.

Ms. LaKrystal Love began her career as a substance abuse counselor at an opioid treatment facility, where she later was promoted and served as Program Director for nearly 13 years. Ms. Love has been the director of opioid treatment facilities in both Alabama and Mississippi. Ms. Love’s educational background includes a master's degree in Counseling Psychology and a dual undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology, all received from the University of West Alabama. She also maintains an Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification in Alabama. A devoted wife and mother of two, Ms. Love enjoys relaxing and spending time with her family.”

Director Cam Ward was appointed by Governor Kay Ivey and sworn in on December 7, 2020. He serves on the Governor’s cabinet and also as the Chairman of the Commission on Reentry. Prior to the Bureau, Director Ward was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives where he served two terms. He also served two terms in the Alabama Senate, and became Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, a role he held for the last nine years. Additionally, Director Ward served as President of the Alabama Law Institute. Director Ward has served as an active community leader, former Deputy Attorney General, the Assistant Secretary of State, and as legal counsel. He has volunteered countless hours on various community boards of directors, including but not limited to the Glenwood Autism Center, the YMCA of Alabaster, Leadership Shelby County and other non-profit organizations. In 2017, Director Ward took on a role with national Prison Fellowship and their Faith and Justice Fellowship. He has also been active in many legislative issues over the years including the sponsorship of stronger ethics laws and pro-growth measures that reduced the amount of government regulation in the private sector. In 2015, Director Ward was recognized nationally for his work on reforming Alabama’s criminal justice system, an issue he continues to champion. He is married and has three children.”