Justice Reform

Wyoming's Constitutional Mandate for Rehabilitation
A Vision Guided by Law and Proven Reform

Wyoming’s Constitution — Article 1, Section 15 — mandates that the state’s penal code be “framed on the humane principles of reformation and prevention.”

Valley of Hope exists to help make that mandate real for Wyoming’s youth — transforming supervision into opportunity through education, skill-building, and economic empowerment.

Our framework draws from the Dutch rehabilitation model, where national recidivism rates have dropped to 20–30 percent, and from proven U.S. initiatives like the Second Chance Act, which demonstrates measurable reductions in re-offense through education and employment.
 

"The penal code shall be framed on the humane principles of reformation and prevention."

- Wyoming Constitution, Article 1, Section 15

Our Rehabilitation Model

Valley of Hope is currently pursuing engagement with the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS), the Wyoming Community College Commission (WCCC), and the Wyoming Business Council (WBC) to explore a unifying model that aligns youth rehabilitation, education, and workforce development.

The vision is to create a statewide continuum that takes young people from custody to community through education, trade mastery, mentorship, and entrepreneurship.

Program Components (in development):

• GED and high-school completion programs
   
• Vocational training in high-demand trades (construction, mechanics, welding, etc.)
   
• Entrepreneurship education that produces real, family-owned business plans
   
• Paid work experience through nonprofit-operated businesses
   
• Transitional coordination with VOA for housing and stability
   
• Goal: 75% employment for participants within six months of completion
   

All mental-health and recovery components remain under VOA’s domain, while Valley of Hope builds the educational and economic bridge that makes reformation tangible.

Legislative & Community Advocacy:

Valley of Hope is advancing a reform strategy that upholds Wyoming’s constitutional promise of humane reformation by connecting public agencies, business, and education systems.

Current Advocacy Priorities

• Expanding vocational and educational programs for justice-involved youth
   
• Aligning state workforce goals with youth reentry programs
   
• Encouraging family-based alternatives and early-intervention services
   
• Hosting community forums that highlight constitutional and data-driven reform
   
• Promoting stories of reformation, not punishment

Where Wyoming Stands — And Where We’re Headed

Measure

Current WY Recidivism (3-year rate)
Valley of Hope Target (5 years)
Education Impact (per RAND study)

Data Point

33.8%
25% Reduction
43% Reduction in Recidivism via Education

Who We're Engaging for Collaboration

While no formal partnerships are in place yet, Valley of Hope has engaged in conversations, outreach, or research alignment with the following agencies and organizations. These groups represent targeted collaborators we hope to align with as our model continues to develop. Valley of Hope is currently pursuing engagement to unite Wyoming’s education, workforce, and social-services sectors into one cooperative ecosystem for youth reformation:

• Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS): alignment on youth education, trade access, and reentry preparation
   
• Wyoming Community College Commission (WCCC): integration of dual-credit, certificate, and bridge-to-college programs
   
• Wyoming Business Council (WBC): connecting graduates to small-business mentorship, apprenticeships, and first-job pathways
   
• Volunteers of America (VOA): coordination on transitional housing and family stability post-release
   

These efforts aim to create a unified, scalable framework that delivers measurable constitutional reform outcomes across Wyoming.

Our development phase will determine the structure, depth, and timing of any formal partnerships. These collaborations reflect our best efforts to align with proven institutions, while maintaining complete independence and integrity during our formation.

Resources

• Download the Full Justice Reform Handbook [coming soon]
• Download Wyoming Constitutional Analysis [coming soon]

Join the Movement

Wyoming’s Constitution calls for reformation and prevention — not punishment and stagnation.

Valley of Hope invites educators, agencies, and business leaders to join in building a coordinated system where opportunity replaces incarceration.

Wyoming Family Justice Innovation Blueprint – Valley of Hope’s Evidence-Based Model for Reform & Recidivism Reduction

Unveiling the Gaps: A Comprehensive Phase 1 Review of Wyoming’s Child Support & Family Justice Systems