The View from 30,000 Feet: A Journey of Firsts and Second Chances June 23, 2025 TLM alumna April Bosworth shares her powerful journey from incarceration to a career at Televerde, highlighting how access to opportunity helped her find purpose and a sense of belonging after prison. Until last month, I had never been on a plane. I had never left my home state of Indiana. I had never stood on a stage, let alone been invited to speak on one. In April, I found myself in New Orleans, surrounded by business professionals, educators, and advocates, telling my story on a stage. And for the first time in a long time, I felt something I wasn’t sure I ever would again: I belonged. Five months prior, I walked out of prison after serving seven years. Unlike many justice-impacted people in this country, I walked out with a purpose and a plan. I had gained business and coding skills through The Last Mile. I had a stable job I had already been doing for over a year from within the prison walls. While incarcerated, I had the opportunity to work as a website specialist for Televerde, putting everything The Last Mile taught me into practice. When I left prison, I transitioned into a full-time corporate role for Televerde, continuing to build my career in web development as a free woman. Sharing My Reentry Journey at NCHEP In January, The Last Mile asked me to speak at the National Conference on Higher Education in Prison (NCHEP). I was overwhelmed—not just by the new experiences ahead, but because TLM saw something in me. They believed my story mattered and that I had something to offer the world by telling it. After years of feeling like I didn’t matter, that sense of being seen, supported, and valued was one of the most powerful experiences of my life. So, off I went to New Orleans. I participated in the session titled “Bridging Barriers: Remote Work-Based Learning and Career Pathways for Incarcerated Students.” That’s exactly what these last few months have become for my future: A bridge from incarceration to freedom, from doubt to confidence, from surviving to thriving. The Last Mile staff and alumni in New Orleans “When I started The Last Mile, I didn’t know what web development was —I thought it was medical billing and coding. But I signed up anyway, and it turned out I absolutely loved it. It helped me discover that I was capable, that I was smart, and that I could succeed at something completely new. That changed the way I saw myself and what I believed was possible for my future.” April Bosworth, TLM Alumna and Website Specialist for Televerde Life After Incarceration and Embracing Firsts Speaking on that panel was one of the highlights of my life. Beyond the conference itself, it was a week filled with firsts that I will never forget: My first time on a plane (Motion sickness made it terrifying and exhilarating, but the view above the clouds was magic). My first time visiting another state. My first Po’ boy sandwich (Delicious!). My first real beignet from Café du Monde (powdered sugar everywhere, but so worth it). My first walk through the French Quarter, with jazz in the streets and music in the air. My first time feeling like I wasn’t just allowed in the room, but that I had earned my seat there. They may seem like small moments, but for someone whose future once felt uncertain, they mean everything. Each one reminded me how far I’ve come—and what becomes possible when someone believes in you, invests in your potential, and offers a real chance. Reducing Recidivism Through Real Opportunity The prison-to-workforce programs offered by Televerde, the Televerde Foundation, and The Last Mile taught me all the technical skills I needed to start a career. They helped me become self-sufficient. They gave me the opportunity to work and grow while incarcerated. And most importantly, they helped me reenter society with confidence, financial stability, and a sense of direction. But here’s the hard truth: these programs aren’t available everywhere. I often catch myself saying I was lucky to be incarcerated in Indiana (how’s that for irony!). But in my case, it meant I had access to programs that changed the trajectory of my life. In most states, those opportunities don’t exist, and that’s reflected in the numbers. The national three-year recidivism rate is 68 percent. Televerde Foundation’s reentry program has a 1 percent rate. And over the past 30 years, more than 4,500 women have participated in Televerde programs with a recidivism rate of just 5 percent. That’s a signal we should pay attention to: These programs work. They build careers, rebuild lives, and keep families together. And they should be the norm in rehabilitation, not the exception. Today, I’m contributing. I’m learning, healing, and building a life that once felt out of reach. It feels extraordinary. I know this is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see where I go next. By April Bosworth, TLM Alumna and website Specialist for Televerde Want articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to The Last Mile Marker, a newsletter offering in-depth insights, critical updates, and inspiring stories on criminal justice reform and second chances.