Data-Driven Reentry: Shaping the Future of Corrections and Careers for the Next 50 Years

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Jessica Byrd serves as the Director of Workforce Strategy at the Louisiana Department of Corrections, where she has implemented innovative strategies and built strategic partnerships to drive workforce development for the second chance population. With her expertise in project management, campaign development, and data analysis, she has led efforts such as the state's first Return for Good Second Chance Forum, significantly boosting awareness for the Return for Good campaign.

Scott Peyton is Right on Crime's Regional Director, overseeing the organization's Correctional Leadership Network. With over twelve years of experience working for the State of Louisiana, he has held roles such as Child Welfare Specialist, Juvenile Probation and Parole Officer, and Adult Probation and Parole Specialist, supervising violent offender caseloads. Scott has also worked as a volunteer and reserve Deputy Sheriff and provided support as needed at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center as a correctional officer. He was a certified Peace Officer Standards and Training instructor and taught at the Probation and Parole Police Academy. His extensive career in the justice system has provided him firsthand insight into the need for criminal justice reform, particularly in rehabilitation and re-entry programs. Scott served as a medic in the Louisiana National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1991. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1992 and later received a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University at Shreveport in 2020. He lives in Louisiana with his wife and six children and three grandchildren.

Jake Polansky is the Director of Strategy & Research at the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC). In this role, Jake manages and executes a range of economic development projects including economic impact reports, market feasibility studies, and workforce analyses. He’s also responsible for BRAC’s research project development and has studied the impacts of local infrastructure projects, K-12 education reforms, and various policy initiatives. In partnership with the Louisiana Department of Corrections, Jake’s work has helped align training programs in regional facilities with business and workforce needs. Prior to working at the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Jake was a high school math teacher. In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, Jake has a master’s degree in public administration from Louisiana State University.

Robert Vehock is a Program Manager with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, where he has worked since 2018. In this role, he is responsible for managing Department of Justice grants, overseeing the development of the TIGER risk needs responsivity tool, and assisting with the Louisiana Prisoner Reentry Initiative. He also collaborates with community partners and leads the Reentry Advisory Council, Implementation Steering Team, and Employers Advisory Committee. Robert has been involved in key corrections initiatives, such as the Louisiana Justice Reinvestment Initiative, and is skilled in policy drafting and grant management. Before becoming a Program Manager, Robert worked as a Program Consultant for the department, managing various reentry and supervision grant programs. Earlier in his career, he served as an Agent, conducting criminal investigations and supervising individuals in the justice system. Robert holds a Master of Public Administration from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His expertise includes critical thinking, problem solving, and systems change, with a technology-centric approach. He is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and brings strong collaboration and communication skills to his work in corrections.