Arkansas Second Chance & Fair Chance Employment Directory
This directory lists second-chance employers, fair-chance hiring companies, workforce centers, staffing agencies, vocational training programs, and reentry support organizations across all Arkansas regions and counties. Entries include employers with documented fair-chance or felony-friendly hiring practices, WIOA workforce centers, reentry nonprofits, and practical search guidance for people returning from incarceration.
If you are on probation, parole, pretrial release, or under community supervision — confirm travel, worksite, schedule, background clearance, driving, and documentation requirements with your officer before accepting any employment or enrolling in training.
Arkansas Workforce Centers — Statewide Network
Arkansas Workforce Centers are the primary public entry points for job seekers statewide. Services include job matching, resume writing, interview preparation, WIOA training referrals, Federal Bonding Program access, Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) support for employers, and Career Readiness Certification. Reentry-specific support is available through Mobile Workforce Units that serve individuals within 30 days of release.
Sponsor or strengthen this Arkansas employment directory
OACRA is building county-by-county employment infrastructure for justice-involved Arkansans. Workforce partners, second-chance employers, training providers, nonprofits, and sponsors can help improve regional depth, accuracy, and long-term directory maintenance across all 75 Arkansas counties.
Statewide Employment & Reentry Anchors
✅ Statewide second-chance employer programs
16-week Transitional Employment Opportunity (TEO) program: paid work experience at Goodwill, resume building, and employer connections. Career Centers assist with background barriers. Locations statewide.
Documented fair-chance hiring across Arkansas plant and distribution locations. Production, sanitation, warehouse, and logistics roles. Background review is case-by-case.
Signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge. Does not automatically disqualify based on felony. Cashier, stock, warehouse, logistics. Background review is role-specific and case-by-case.
Package handlers and warehouse associates. Known fair-chance hiring policy. Background review is time- and offense-sensitive. Multiple Arkansas locations.
Known fair-chance hiring for warehouse associate, package handler, and delivery support roles. Facilities in Lowell, Texarkana, and expanding statewide. Starting pay ~$18.50+/hr.
🛠️ Statewide reentry, workforce & training resources
Statewide job matching, WIOA training, Career Readiness Certification, Federal Bonding, and WOTC employer incentive support. Mobile Workforce Units serve pre-release individuals within 30 days of release.
ACC officers can connect individuals under supervision to verified second-chance employers, workforce centers, and employment resources. Email reentry@arkansas.gov for statewide referrals.
Official Arkansas job portal for searching openings, building profiles, and connecting with employers. Managed by the Department of Workforce Services.
State platform providing personalized career guidance, local job listings, education pathways, and training resources across all sectors. Available to returning citizens.
Free legal assistance for low-income Arkansans including Act 1460 record-sealing petitions, ID recovery, and civil barriers to employment. Clinics available statewide.
✅ Statewide fair-chance retail & food service employers
Known fair-chance hiring at franchise and corporate locations across Arkansas. Crew, prep, and shift lead roles. Timing and offense type affect outcome.
Listed as felony-friendly by Arkansas Courthouse Kiosk and felonfriendly.us. Retail associate, stocking, cashier. Background review is case-by-case.
Home Depot is documented fair-chance. Background review varies by role and offense. Retail associate, warehouse, freight, and specialty department roles across Arkansas.
Documented fair-chance hiring. Production, laundry, route support, and warehouse roles. Multiple Arkansas locations including Texarkana and Little Rock.
🛠️ Statewide staffing agencies — fair-chance access
Daily and weekly pay staffing for warehouse, construction, cleaning, light industrial, and event work. Locations in Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, and more.
Specializes in immediate-start placements for industrial, warehouse, cleanup, and landscaping. Known fair-chance access. Locations in Jonesboro, Fort Smith, Little Rock.
Staffing for manufacturing, assembly, warehouse, clerical, and light industrial. Multiple Arkansas offices. Case-by-case background review depending on client employer.
Manufacturing, clerical, and industrial placements. Background review is case-by-case. Listed as nationally second-chance accessible. Offices in Pine Bluff, Little Rock, and others.
Region 1 — Northwest Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas is the state's fastest-growing employment region, driven by Walmart's corporate presence, a large food-manufacturing sector (Tyson, Simmons), logistics, retail, hospitality, and construction. The Returning Home Reentry Center in Springdale and the NWA Coalition serve as reentry anchors. Users should confirm background check policies with staffing agencies, as client employer requirements vary.
✅ Second-chance employers — NW Arkansas
Production, sanitation, packaging, and logistics. Documented fair-chance hiring. Background review is case-by-case. Major employer in the region with multiple NWA facilities.
Poultry processing, packaging, and logistics roles. Known fair-chance practice at Siloam Springs and surrounding facilities.
Warehouse associate, forklift operator, freight, and logistics roles. Fair Chance Pledge signatory. Background review is role-based and case-by-case.
Package handler and delivery support roles. Fair-chance access. Starting around $16–18/hr. Located in Lowell (Benton County).
🛠️ Reentry support & workforce — NW Arkansas
Stable housing, food security, employment access and retention, ID acquisition, mental health and substance use support for returning citizens in NW Arkansas. Funded by community donors.
Coalition of community service providers helping people returning to Washington, Benton, and Carroll counties. Coordinated service access and referrals.
Job search, WIOA training, resume, interview prep, and Career Readiness Certification. No criminal-record discrimination for access to services.
Daily/weekly pay staffing for warehouse, construction, event, and light industrial roles. Fast-entry access with minimal application barriers.
Manufacturing, packaging, and assembly placements. Background review depends on client employer. Based in Rogers serving NW Arkansas.
Region 2 — River Valley / Fort Smith
The Fort Smith metro and River Valley region offer manufacturing, food production, logistics, healthcare support, construction, and retail employment. Fort Smith is the state's second-largest city and has a significant industrial base. Goodwill AR has a Fort Smith presence. Workforce Centers in Fort Smith and Russellville serve the corridor.
✅ Second-chance employers — River Valley
Appliance manufacturing and production roles. Major employer in Sebastian County. Background review is case-by-case for production and warehouse positions.
Food manufacturing and production roles. Fort Smith operations hire for entry-level plant and sanitation positions. Background review case-by-case.
Retail, donation processing, and warehouse roles. TEO training program available. Active fair-chance employer with employment specialist support.
Electric motor and generator manufacturing. Entry-level production and assembly. Background review is case-by-case for non-driving roles.
🛠️ Workforce centers & staffing — River Valley
WIOA job training, resume, interview prep, Career Readiness Certification, veterans' services, and employer connections. Primary workforce access for Sebastian County and River Valley.
Job search assistance, WIOA training referrals, career counseling, and employer connections for Pope and Yell counties.
Immediate-start day labor placements in industrial, warehouse, cleanup, and landscaping. Fair-chance access. Call or walk in.
Manufacturing, warehouse, office support, and light industrial placements. Background review depends on client employer.
Region 3 — North Central Arkansas
North Central Arkansas employment centers around Harrison, Mountain Home, and Batesville. Manufacturing, healthcare support, retail, food service, and trades offer the most accessible entry points. Transportation planning is critical — confirm driving restrictions and vehicle access before applying for delivery or route-based work.
✅ Second-chance employers — North Central AR
Die casting and precision manufacturing. Entry-level machine operator and foundry production roles. Background review is case-by-case for production positions.
Package handler and warehouse associate roles. Known fair-chance hiring policy. Background review is time- and offense-sensitive.
Independence County has active manufacturing (food, metal, plastics) and retail employers. Use the Arkansas Workforce Center Batesville and ARJobLink to identify current openings.
🛠️ Workforce & staffing — North Central AR
Job search, WIOA training, Career Readiness Certification, and employer connections for Boone, Searcy, Newton, and Marion counties.
Light industrial, assembly, and packaging placements in Baxter County. Background review varies by client employer.
Region 4 — Northeast Arkansas
Jonesboro is the regional hub, with strong manufacturing, food processing, healthcare support, and logistics employment. Mississippi County (Blytheville area) has active steel and industrial employers. The Jonesboro Workforce Center and Black River Technical College satellite serve employment and training needs across the region.
✅ Second-chance employers — Northeast AR
Manufacturing, sanitation, and packing roles. Documented fair-chance hiring practice in Jonesboro facility. Background review is case-by-case.
Food packaging manufacturing and warehouse distribution. Entry-level and production roles. Background review is case-by-case.
Steel manufacturing and operations in Mississippi County. Production and support roles. Background review is position-dependent. Major regional industrial employer.
Faith-based residential reentry facility for women. Housing, employment support, and life-skills programming for women returning from incarceration in the Jonesboro area.
🛠️ Workforce, training & staffing — Northeast AR
WIOA training, job search, Career Readiness Certification, labor market information, and vocational rehabilitation access. Serves Craighead, Poinsett, Lawrence, and Randolph counties.
Workforce Center satellite at BRTC Paragould campus. Job search, WIOA referrals, and access to training pathways. Serves Greene and surrounding counties.
Day labor, warehousing, and cleanup placements. Known fair-chance access. Walk-in friendly. Quick placement for immediate income needs.
Region 5 — Central Arkansas
The Little Rock metro is Arkansas's largest employment market with the deepest mix of healthcare support, state government, logistics, warehouse, retail, food service, manufacturing, and construction. Our House provides the region's strongest employment-focused reentry program. The Saline County Freedom for Life Coalition and UALR's CBRIP serve as additional reentry anchors. Multiple Workforce Centers serve this corridor.
✅ Second-chance employers — Central AR
Retail associate, warehouse, and donation processing. TEO 16-week training program with paid work experience. Employment specialists assist with background barriers. Active fair-chance employer.
Aviation maintenance and manufacturing support roles. Entry-level and technical positions. Background review is role-dependent and case-by-case.
Arkansas-headquartered major trucking and logistics employer. Known fair-chance review for CDL and non-CDL positions. Lowell HQ with statewide routes. Confirm driving eligibility with officer.
Retail associate, warehouse, and backroom roles. Documented fair-chance hiring. Background review is case-by-case and role-dependent. Multiple Central Arkansas locations.
🛠️ Reentry programs & workforce — Central AR
Comprehensive reentry services including employment training, education, financial empowerment, health and wellness, and reentry support for people with criminal history. Nationally recognized employment program.
Pre-release programming, employment placement, and employment readiness training for individuals returning to the Little Rock community.
Joint ADC and UA Little Rock program helping incarcerated individuals prepare for reentry. Peer mentoring, coursework, and skills development. Participants are 15% less likely to recidivate.
WIOA training, job matching, Career Readiness Certification, Federal Bonding, and WOTC support. Primary public workforce access for Pulaski County.
Coalition of community service providers helping people returning to Saline, Garland, and Hot Spring counties. Coordinated service referrals and employment support.
🛠️ Staffing & workforce — Central AR
Daily and weekly pay staffing for warehouse, moving, cleanup, events, and light industrial. Fast-entry access with minimal application barriers.
WIOA job training, resume, interview prep, and employer connections for Faulkner, Conway, and Van Buren counties.
⚖️ Central AR employment notes
Best first searches: warehouse and logistics, healthcare support, retail and food service, custodial/facilities, construction labor, state agency support roles, and nonprofit sector positions.
CDL, delivery, and driving roles may require officer approval, clean MVR, and no driving restrictions. Confirm before applying or accepting any driving-based position.
Region 6 — Hot Springs / Ouachita Region
Hot Springs is the region's largest employment hub, with healthcare, tourism/hospitality, retail, manufacturing, and gaming as primary employment sectors. Users in hospitality or gaming roles should confirm whether their supervision conditions restrict entry into casino or gaming environments. The Workforce Center in Hot Springs serves Garland and surrounding counties.
✅ Second-chance employers — Hot Springs / Ouachita
Healthcare system with support, EVS, food service, and facilities roles. Background review is position-dependent. Clinical roles may have stricter requirements. Apply for non-clinical support first.
Hot Springs has active manufacturing operations. Use the Workforce Center and ARJobLink to identify current openings. Background review policies vary by employer.
State-licensed male reentry facility in Rockport/Malvern serving Hot Spring County. Residential reentry with structured employment support. ACC-referred placement.
🛠️ Workforce & reentry — Hot Springs
WIOA training, job search, Career Readiness Certification, and employer connections for Garland, Montgomery, and Saline counties.
Hot Springs area reentry residential program assisting men and women with life-skills, employment, and community reintegration support.
Hot Springs area includes casino and gaming-adjacent employment (Oaklawn, etc.). Confirm with officer whether supervision conditions restrict entry into gaming environments before applying.
Region 7 — Southeast Arkansas
Southeast Arkansas employment centers on Pine Bluff, Monticello, and the Delta corridor. Manufacturing, paper and timber, agriculture, healthcare support, and local government offer the most stable entry points. Transportation planning is critical — public transit is limited in this region.
✅ Second-chance employers — Southeast AR
Paper manufacturing, operations, and facilities work. Major Ashley County employer. Background review is case-by-case for production and maintenance roles.
Refrigeration manufacturing and fabrication. Entry-level production and welding support roles. Background review is case-by-case.
Timber and wood products manufacturing. Drew County operations hire for production, maintenance, and support roles. Background review case-by-case.
St. Francis and Arkansas counties have manufacturing and agricultural processing employers. Use the Forrest City Workforce Center and ARJobLink to find current openings.
🛠️ Workforce, staffing & reentry — Southeast AR
WIOA job training, resume, Career Readiness Certification, and employer connections. Primary public workforce access for Jefferson and Lincoln counties.
Job search, WIOA training, and employer connections for Drew and surrounding Southeast counties.
Workforce and WIOA training access at the East Arkansas Community College campus. Job search and employment support for St. Francis and Cross counties.
Manufacturing, clerical, and industrial staffing placements in Jefferson County. Background review is case-by-case.
Job search and workforce access for Chicot, Desha, and southern Delta counties. Confirm hours before visiting.
Region 8 — Southwest Arkansas
Southwest Arkansas is anchored by Texarkana, Camden, Magnolia, and El Dorado. Manufacturing, paper/timber, oil and gas support, defense-adjacent production, retail, and healthcare offer the most accessible entry points. Amazon recently opened a Texarkana delivery station. Confirm driving permissions before applying for any route or delivery role.
✅ Second-chance employers — Southwest AR
Package handling and delivery support. Opened Sept. 2025. Starting ~$18.50/hr. Known fair-chance hiring. Text HIREME to 31432 for job alerts. Confirm driving approval before applying for delivery roles.
Paper manufacturing and operations. Entry-level mill work, maintenance, and facilities support. Background review is case-by-case for production roles.
Industrial laundry, uniform services, production, and warehouse roles. Fair-chance hiring documented nationally. Case-by-case review in Texarkana-area location.
Defense-adjacent manufacturing facility in Ouachita County. Some general production support, maintenance, and facilities roles. Security clearance and background requirements vary significantly by position. Confirm eligibility carefully.
🛠️ Workforce, staffing & reentry — Southwest AR
WIOA job training, resume, Career Readiness Certification, and employer connections for Hempstead, Nevada, and Clark counties.
Warehouse, industrial, and CDL-support role placements in Miller County and the Texarkana metro. Background review depends on client employer.
Job search, WIOA training, and employer connections for Ouachita, Calhoun, and Dallas counties.
Best first searches: paper and timber manufacturing, warehouse and logistics, retail, healthcare support, trades helper roles, transportation support, oil and gas service (Union/Columbia counties), and food service.
OACRA note: This directory is for educational and organizational purposes only. OACRA is not a government agency, law firm, probation office, parole office, or clinical provider. This page does not provide legal advice, employment guarantees, supervision approval, or eligibility determinations. Employer hiring policies change frequently — always verify directly with the employer before applying.
Supervision reminder: Individuals on probation, parole, pretrial release, or community supervision should follow their court orders, release conditions, officer instructions, and agency requirements. Confirm travel, worksite access, schedule, driving restrictions, licensing, documentation requirements, and background clearance before accepting employment or training enrollment.
Background check note: "Second-chance," "fair-chance," or "felony-friendly" means an employer does not automatically disqualify based on a criminal record — it does not guarantee hiring. Outcome depends on offense type, time elapsed, role requirements, and individual employer policies.
Provider updates: Arkansas employers, workforce organizations, training providers, reentry programs, nonprofits, and sponsors may request updates or listing review through OACRA's listing request form or support this directory through directory sponsorship.
