Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
Once a Jefferson County inmate, now a dedicated business owner
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Birmingham-native Darius Haney lived his teenage and young adult years in and out of trouble. But as he entered his late twenties, his life started to turn around: He earned his GED, started a new job, got involved in a local nonprofit and now, he’s sharing his story to help other men with similar stories.
We sat down with Darius to hear his story and share an inside look at a local program that’s helping other local residents follow a similar path: The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office‘s IGNITE program, made to transform jails into centers of education and opportunity.
Keep reading for Darius’ testimony and how, under Sheriff Pettway’s leadership, the educational innovation happening inside the jail system helps turn lives just like Darius’ around.
How Darius Haney turned his life around
Originally from East Lake, Darius’ family moved around a little bit across North Birmingham. Darius explained that when he was in middle school, he struggled to find a good community of friends and his grades started to slip.
Years passed as Darius experienced juvenile house arrest, alternative school and expulsion during his Junior year of high school, and Darius found himself trying to get by in life without true direction, which unfortunately only led to more confusion, lost hope and a jail sentence.
In 2012, District Court Judge Katrina Ross helped dismiss Darius’ case and ordered he get his GED.
“Between 2012 and 2017, my conscience began to weigh on me; I knew I would end up dead or back in jail if I didn’t clean up my act and take myself more seriously.”
Darius Haney
One thing led to another, and now Darius has an apartment, a job and his own lawn care business as a side hustle.
How Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office helps reshape incarcerated individuals’ lives
This trajectory is the whole reason the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office implemented educational programming across jail facilities: To support incarcerated individuals with tools and resources they need to navigate life on their own post-release.
The educational programming includes:
- I.G.N.I.T.E.: Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education
- GED testing center: The first of its kind in Jefferson County + one of two county jail-based GED testing sites established in Alabama in the last year!
- Virtual vocational labs: Gives participants a chance to practice real-world job scenarios, strengthen communication + improve decision-making in a safe environment
To support successful reentry, these programs provide incarcerated individuals with access to:
- literacy assistance
- vocational training
- life skills
- technology-based learning
Under Sheriff Pettway’s leadership, Jefferson County has become a leading site for the program, implementing IGNITE across both of its jail facilities and helping expand the model across Alabama.
“IGNITE is about changing outcomes. When people leave our facility, we want them better prepared than when they came in.
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
Darius’ story is proof of the power of educational opportunities following incarceration.
Why is this resource important in Birmingham?
When applied in high-turnover jail settings, these resources and educational tools reach individuals at a critical moment before they return to their communities. Outcomes of IGNITE programs across the United States have shown:
- Lower rates of re-arrest following release
- Increased participation in education + workforce programming
- Improved behavioral outcomes within facilities
The program doesn’t work if there’s nothing to show for it. But luckily, there have been results in Jefferson County and across the country. And Darius is a powerful example of how education and support can help change the trajectory of a person’s life.
“If you can identify a ‘why,” it will help you understand a little more and help as you try to honor your commitments.
If you’re like me and have a year on thin ice, or you swindled some opportunities or there’s a blemish on your record, take your options into account. You need to see what this could lead to by seeing it through.”
Darius Haney
Interested in learning more about how the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office supports Birmingham communities? Find out here.
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