PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island’s governor has appointed someone who once was incarcerated to the state’s parole board for the first time.

Democratic Gov. Dan McKee said Friday that he appointed Peter Slom.

The Providence Journal reported that Slom went before the board in 1992, about 26 months into his six-year sentence for dealing cocaine.

If he wasn’t given that opportunity to be released early, Slom said, he never would have achieved a productive life or been able to work to help others.

Slom recently retired after working for over 25 years for the state Department of Children, Youth and Families.