Reform Phases

Revive

Focus: Safety · Structure · Spiritual Reflection · Emotional Reset · Accountability · Counseling

The Revive stage is the first phase of transformation. Its purpose is to stabilize individuals, calm the environment, and create the internal foundation necessary for real rehabilitation. This phase interrupts cycles of crisis, trauma, and destructive behavior so each person can begin their journey with clarity, accountability, and emotional grounding.

• 6 AM – 7 AM — Physical Training & Wellness Conditioning

  • Light-to-moderate exercise to help:

    • Reduce anxiety and aggression

    • Support detoxification and addiction withdrawal

    • Improve sleep and appetite regulation

    • Build discipline and routine

  • This is essential for emotional stabilization and long-term behavioral change.

• 7 AM – 9 AM — Breakfast Window

• 8 AM – 12 PM — Intensive Counseling & Trauma Intervention

• This is the heart of Revive. Activities include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Anger de-escalation

  • Crisis counseling

  • Trauma-informed therapy

  • Addiction recovery sessions

  • One-on-one and group counseling

• 11 AM – 1 PM — Lunch Window

• Nutrition period + downtime for mental decompression.

• 1 PM – 4 PM — Group Counseling, Psychoeducation & Mindfulness Work

• During this block, residents participate in:

  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

  • Psycho-educational therapy

  • Guided self-help programs

  • Emotional-regulation workshops

  • Conflict-resolution skill-building

• 4 PM – 5 PM — Evening Meditation & Reflection

• A second daily meditation reinforces:

  • Emotional reset

  • Stress management

  • Processing of complex counseling topics

  • Personal insight and accountability

• 5 PM – 7 PM — Dinner Window

Core Components

• AI-assisted therapy, tele-therapy, group therapy, and in person sessions

• Strict routines

• Limited privileges

• High accountability for behavior

• This design removes comfort-based distractions and forces participants to confront internal turmoil, trauma, and behavioral patterns.

• Intensive individual & group counseling to address trauma, fear, instability, and violent behavior.

• Structured addiction, anger, and trauma interventions using evidence-based programs such as CBT and anger management.

• Daily meditation or faith-based reflection to build mindfulness, responsibility, and emotional discipline.

• Physical exercise & structured routines to improve health, reduce anxiety, and establish predictable daily rhythms.

• Emotional regulation & conflict-resolution training to reduce impulsive reactions and promote thoughtful decision-making.

• Trust-building & accountability practices that strengthen respect between staff and residents and reinforce positive behavior.

• Therapeutic intensity remains high during Revive because this stage focuses on stabilizing individuals whose past trauma and untreated mental health issues often drive violent behavior.

In this stage, participants receive only the bare minimum accommodations, emphasizing responsibility and encouraging them to focus on internal change rather than physical comfort. This stage is intentionally structured to remove distractions and create space for honest reflection, emotional stabilization, and behavioral recalibration using tele-therapy, face-to-face counseling, and group therapy. After six months of successful participation—with no disciplinary actions and a positive counselor recommendation—an individual becomes eligible to advance to the Rehabilitate phase. The overarching goal of this period is to stabilize the mind and body, create a meaningful pause from harmful habits, confront the consequences of past actions, interrupt destructive behavioral cycles, and spark a genuine, self-driven commitment to transformation.

Daily Routine

• 5 AM – 6 AM — Spiritual Meditation & Internal Reflection

  • A quiet, structured reflection block to build emotional intelligence, personal accountability, and the ability to self-regulate.

Rehabilitate

Focus: Evidence-based programs · Learning · Behavior Change · Personal Growth

The Rehabilitate stage addresses the root causes of criminal behavior by giving individuals the education, therapeutic tools, and structured support needed to transform thinking, behavior, and long-term decision-making. This phase builds on the emotional stabilization achieved in Revive and shifts focus toward skill-building, academic achievement, cognitive restructuring, and personal development.

• 6 AM – 7 AM — Physical Training

  • Daily fitness to improve overall mental and physical health.

  • Reduce aggression and anxiety

  • Support addiction recovery

  • Build discipline and stamina

• 7 AM – 10 AM — Breakfast (Culinary Program Operated)

  • Breakfast served by detainees enrolled in the Culinary Arts job-training program, reinforcing workforce readiness and responsibility.

• 8 AM – 12 PM — Education & Vocational Training

  • GED classes

  • College coursework (ACCS online)

  • Foundational computer skills

  • Skilling programs (carpentry, welding, HVAC, coding, logistics, etc.)

• 11 AM – 2 PM — Lunch Window (Culinary Arts-Operated)

• 1 PM – 3 PM — Continued Academic / Vocational Training

• 3 PM – 4 PM — Counseling & Behavioral Therapy Sessions

  • Smaller-group counseling focused on:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Trauma-informed care

  • Relapse prevention

  • Emotional regulation and conflict resolution

  • Personal accountability

  • This is a reduced-intensity continuation of Revive’s therapeutic model.

• 4 PM – 5 PM — Evening Spiritual Meditation

  • A second daily grounding period emphasizing emotional intelligence, gratitude, and interpersonal maturation.

• 5 PM – 7 PM — Dinner Window

• 6 PM – 9 PM — Recreational, Educational, and Social Development Activities

  • Recreational sports

  • Peer study groups

  • Self-help and guided study programs

  • These activities reinforce structure, social skills, and prosocial behavior.

Core Components

• Evidence-based counseling (CBT, trauma therapy, addiction treatment)

• Continued therapy—less intensive than Revive—focused on cognitive restructuring, emotional healing, and developing healthy coping strategies.

• Detainees engage in structured educational programming, including literacy pathways, GED preparation, online degree programs in partnership with the Alabama Community College System, and formal vocational training.

• Mandatory skill acquisition

• ALL detainees must learn a marketable skilled trade—ensuring employability upon release and reducing recidivism.

• Education & intellectual development activities

• Study groups, computer lab access, structured reading time, and book clubs reinforce academic discipline and cognitive development.

• Improved living conditions & recreation

• Balanced recreational activities and fitness-center access promote physical health, reduce misconduct, and encourage prosocial behavior.

• AI-enabled learning tools & personalized tutoring

• Adaptive technology supports individualized learning needs, providing real-time coaching and progress tracking.

• Emotional regulation & conflict-resolution training

• Programs reinforce communication skills, emotional maturity, and peaceful conflict management strategies.

In the Rehabilitate stage, participants transition from stabilization to active growth, shifting focus from crisis recovery to structured learning, emotional development, and skill-building. While accommodations improve slightly to support learning, the environment remains intentionally structured to encourage discipline, accountability, and prosocial behavior. This phase equips individuals with education, therapeutic tools, and marketable skills, helping them replace destructive habits with productive, future-oriented routines. Participants are required to pursue academic credentials, engage in workforce training, and continue counseling to strengthen emotional regulation and decision-making skills. The emphasis is on replacing old cognitive patterns with healthy, sustainable pathways for success.

After completing vocational training, earning a GED or college degree, maintaining one full year without disciplinary actions, and receiving a favorable recommendation, a participant becomes eligible to advance to the Rebuild phase. The overarching goal of this period is to develop the mindset, knowledge, skills, and emotional maturity necessary for long-term success. This stage transforms detainees into students, trainees, and future workers—laying the foundation for a stable reentry and dramatically lowering long-term recidivism.

Daily routine

• 5 AM – 6 AM — Spiritual Meditation & Emotional Grounding

  • A structured reflection period that promotes emotional stability, mindfulness, and interpersonal calm. Participants practice gratitude, breathwork, or faith-based meditation to prepare mentally for the day.

Rebuild

This stage focuses on employment, social skills, independence, and preparing individuals for life beyond confinement. Living conditions and responsibilities increase to reflect real-world expectations while still providing structure, support, and accountability.

Core Components

• Improved Living Conditions (2-Person Rooms, No Bars)

  • Residents move into updated, normalized housing that promotes dignity, privacy, and responsibility. This physical environment reinforces the transition away from punitive confinement toward personal stability and prosocial behavior.

• Workforce Training & Living-Wage Employment

  • Participants work full-time and earn living wages through programs such as:

  • PIECP (Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program)

  • Work Release Program

  • Alabama Correctional Industries

  • Facility-based skilled trades and industry partners

  • Income supports restitution, savings, and financial responsibility—key predictors of successful reentry.

• Socialization & Communication Skill Development

  • Therapy transitions from counseling to coaching, emphasizing:

  • Workplace communication

  • Team behavior and reliability

  • Conflict navigation

  • Relationship-building

  • Leadership and mentoring roles

  • This stage builds the interpersonal maturity required for community reintegration.

• Higher Education Opportunities

  • Participants can pursue:

  • Associate degrees

  • Bachelor’s degrees through University of the People or ACCS partnerships

  • Continued literacy, academic support, and advanced vocational programs

  • Education deepens cognitive growth and long-term employability.

• Family & Relationship Strengthening

  • To support emotional stability and reduce future violence, participants may qualify for:

  • Expanded family visitation

  • Healthy relationships are key protective factors against recidivism.

• Fitness, Recreation & Structured Routines

  • Balanced routines help reduce stress, prevent violence, and promote well-being.

  • Physical training, recreation, and structured time management mirror real-world expectations.

• Continued Emotional & Behavioral Coaching

  • Participants still attend coaching/counseling sessions to reinforce:

  • Emotional regulation

  • Accountability

  • Healthy decision-making

  • Relationship management

  • Workforce professionalism

• Progression Requirement

  • To advance to the Restore stage, participants must:

  • Become proficient in a skilled trade

  • Maintain two consecutive years with no disciplinary actions

  • Receive a positive staff recommendation

Daily Routine

• 5 AM – 6 AM — Spiritual Meditation & Self-Actualization Work

  • A reflective period that reinforces discipline, purpose, and identity development.

  • Participants focus on internal clarity and setting intentions for the workday.

• 6 AM – 7 AM — Physical Training & Health Conditioning

  • Daily exercise improves mental health, decreases stress, and builds the stamina needed for full-time work.

  • This block establishes consistency and prepares participants for long-term workforce routines.

• 7 AM – 11 AM — Breakfast Window (Culinary Arts-Operated)

  • Breakfast service overseen by detainees in culinary training.

• 8 AM – 12 PM — Work Assignments (Internal Employment)

  • Participants perform paid, full-time work at state or federal minimum wage, according to their vocational track.

  • Examples of assignments:

  • Maintenance (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry)

  • Alabama Correctional Industries roles

  • Laundry, sanitation, or warehouse operations

  • Administrative assistance and clerical work

  • Facility landscaping and agriculture

  • This simulates a standard workweek and strengthens employability.

• 11 AM – 3 PM — Lunch Window (Culinary Arts-Operated)

  • Flexible lunch accommodates rotating work schedules.

• 1 PM – 4 PM — Continued Work Assignments

  • Second work block reinforces:

  • Productivity

  • Workplace discipline

  • Team-based skills

  • Trade mastery

  • Participants continue earning wages and demonstrating reliability.

• 4 PM – 5 PM — Coaching & Behavioral Development

  • A shift from therapy to professional coaching:

  • Workplace communication

  • Social interaction skills

  • Conflict navigation

  • Leadership development

  • Accountability practices

  • Coaching in this phase prepares individuals for the social and behavioral expectations of outside employment.

• 3 PM – 7 PM — Dinner Window (Culinary Arts-Operated)

• 5 PM – 9 PM — Recreational & Social Development Activities

  • Designed to mirror a balanced life structure:

  • Recreational sports

  • Peer mentorship circles

  • Study or reading time

  • Relationship-building activities

  • Emotional wellness activities

  • Religious or personal development classes

  • These activities reinforce prosocial behavior and stress management.

Participants engage in full-time work through programs that build on Alabama’s existing correctional infrastructure, including PIECP, Work Release, and Alabama Correctional Industries. They earn living wages, allowing them to support restitution, savings, and family responsibilities. Academic opportunities expand as well, with the option to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree through partnerships such as the University of the People, while continuing personal development and recreational activities that promote balance and well-being.

After becoming proficient in a skilled trade, maintaining two years without disciplinary actions, and receiving a formal recommendation, a participant becomes eligible to transition into the Restore phase, where they deepen accountability, healing, and community reintegration.

The overarching goal of this period is to develop employable individuals with strong work habits, prosocial communication skills, financial stability, and emotional maturity, ensuring they are fully prepared to succeed both inside the facility and in society upon release.

Restore

Focus: Accountability, Healing & Community Reintegration

The Restore phase focuses on repairing harm, rebuilding relationships, strengthening accountability, and preparing individuals for healthy reintegration. This stage bridges personal transformation with community responsibility, emphasizing healing for both the individual and those impacted by their actions.

Core Components

• Restorative Justice Programs

  • Participants take part in structured restorative justice sessions designed to:

    • Confront the impact of their actions

    • Understand the harm caused to victims and communities

    • Develop empathy and personal accountability

    • Create pathways for symbolic or practical restitution

    • These programs promote healing and encourage participants to take responsibility in meaningful ways.

• Trauma-Informed Family Counseling

  • Families often endure significant emotional strain. Restore offers:

    • Facilitated family therapy

    • Communication rebuilding

    • Conflict-resolution support

    • Reconnection planning for reentry

    • This strengthens family stability — a major predictor of successful reintegration.

• Victim-Centered Accountability Practices

  • Recognize victim needs and experiences

  • Engage in accountability exercises

  • Participate in victim impact curriculum

  • Develop reparative action plans

  • These practices reinforce maturity, responsibility, and moral reasoning.

• Enhanced Communication & Relationship Privileges

  • To promote stability and belonging, eligible individuals may receive:

    • Expanded phone and video communication access

    • Supervised family visits

    • Continued spousal visitation programs (supported by research showing reductions in institutional violence)

    • Healthy relationships reduce recidivism and improve post-release outcomes.

• Emotional Intelligence & Social Maturity Development

  • Participants continue coaching focused on:

    • Emotional regulation

    • Empathy-building

    • Communication skills

    • Conflict de-escalation

    • Healthy boundary setting

    • These skills are essential for successful reintegration and community living.

• Community Reintegration Readiness Training

  • Restore includes programming that prepares individuals for release:

    • Reentry planning

    • Identification restoration

    • Financial literacy and budgeting

    • Housing pathway preparation

    • Digital literacy and communication skills

    • Transportation planning

    • This ensures a smooth transition into the Release stage.

In the Restore stage, participants turn their focus toward healing, accountability, and rebuilding the relationships impacted by their actions. This phase emphasizes emotional maturity, victim-centered responsibility, and the restoration of healthy family bonds. Having gained stability, education, and work skills in earlier phases, individuals now deepen their capacity for empathy, communication, and community responsibility. Restore is designed to confront the social and relational impact of crime through structured restorative justice programs, trauma-informed counseling, and family engagement. Participants learn to reflect not only on the consequences they experienced but also the harm experienced by victims, families, and the broader community. As individuals strengthen these interpersonal foundations, they begin to rebuild trust, form healthier connections, and prepare for meaningful reintegration into society.

Family stability is supported through expanded communication privileges, supervised family therapy, and continued access to spousal visitation programs—practices shown to reduce violence and improve reentry outcomes. Coaching during this phase reinforces communication skills, emotional regulation, conflict navigation, and readiness for community expectations. After demonstrating emotional readiness, successfully participating in restorative programming, maintaining two years with no disciplinary actions, and receiving a positive recommendation, participants become eligible to progress to the Release phase, where structured reentry preparation begins.

The overarching goal of Restore is to repair relationships, strengthen accountability, promote healing, and prepare individuals for safe, humane, and responsible reintegration, ensuring returning citizens reenter society with emotional stability, strong support networks, and a commitment to living peacefully within their communities.

Daily Routine

• 6–7 AM — Morning Meditation & Reflection

  • Daily guided meditation to cultivate emotional regulation, empathy, and self-awareness. Sets the tone for a calm, accountable day.

• 7–10 AM — Breakfast & Family Communication Window

  • Breakfast service followed by a dedicated period for structured communication with approved family members (calls, video messages, or supervised messaging).

• 8 AM–12 PM — Restorative Justice & Relationship Programs

  • Participants engage in:

    • Restorative justice curriculum

    • Victim impact coursework

    • Emotional intelligence workshops

    • Trauma-informed family counseling sessions

    • These deepen accountability and repair relational harm.

• 11 AM–2 PM — Lunch Window

  • Nutrition and rest period.

• 1–3 PM — Coaching & Skill-Building Groups

  • Programs focused on:

  • Communication skills

  • Conflict resolution

  • Empathy-building

  • Parenting and relationship workshops

  • Financial literacy tied to reentry preparation

• 3–4 PM — Reentry Readiness Sessions

  • Planning and support related to:

  • Housing

  • Transportation

  • Employment

  • Identification and documentation

  • Digital literacy

• 4–5 PM — Evening Meditation or Spiritual Reflection

  • Promotes grounding, peace-building, and emotional maturity.

• 5–7 PM — Dinner Window

  • Evening nutrition and decompressing time.

• 6–9 PM — Community-Building & Recreation

  • Activities reinforcing healthy interaction and prosocial behavior:

    • Peer mentorship circles

    • Group recreation

    • Support meetings

    • Family virtual engagement (where appropriate)

• Peer Mentorship & Community Support Networks

  • Participants are paired with mentors who model prosocial behavior and help build:

    • Stability

    • Confidence

    • Positive routines

    • Community accountability

    • Mentorship significantly reduces the likelihood of reoffending.

Release

Focus: Reentry, Support & Long-Term Stability

The Release phase focuses on building a stable bridge from incarceration to community life. This stage provides structured reentry planning, employment placement, housing preparation, and long-term support systems to ensure individuals succeed after completing the program. Stability—not speed—is the priority.

In the Release stage, participants transition from a structured correctional environment into the community with a clear, supported, and achievable pathway toward stability and independence. This phase focuses on employment placement, housing readiness, ongoing therapeutic support, and the practical skills required for long-term success. It is designed to prevent individuals from returning to the conditions that contributed to previous offending and to ensure they have the resources needed to build a safe, sustainable life.

Participants work closely with reentry coaches to establish verified employment, secure stable housing, reestablish identification and documentation, build financial literacy, and receive continued emotional and behavioral support. This phase strengthens connections with family, employers, community mentors, and support networks, laying a foundation for healthy reintegration. Structured supervision, gradual community exposure, and continued counseling ensure that participants experience a stable, guided reentry process rather than a sudden, unsupported release. After completing a comprehensive reentry plan, demonstrating employment readiness, maintaining emotional and behavioral stability, and receiving a formal release recommendation, individuals transition fully into community life with ongoing mentorship and wraparound support services.

The overarching goal of the Release phase is to provide the stability, structure, and support necessary to ensure lasting success, reduce recidivism, and promote safer, healthier families and communities throughout Alabama.

Core Components

• Comprehensive Reentry Planning

  • Each participant works with a reentry coach to develop a detailed, personalized transition plan that includes:

  • Housing arrangements

  • Verified employment or job placement

  • Transportation plans

  • Identification restoration (ID, birth certificate, Social Security card)

  • Medical and mental health continuity of care

  • A complete reentry plan is required before release.

• Employment Placement & Career Support

  • Because employment is the strongest predictor of post-release success, individuals receive:

    • Job placement assistance

    • Partnerships with Alabama employers

    • Resume building and interview coaching

    • Financial literacy training

    • Support in retaining employment through mentorship

    • Participants apply the skills earned in earlier phases directly to real-world work.

• Housing Stability & Community Reintegration Support

  • Safe, stable housing is secured before release.

  • Supports may include:

  • Transitional housing

  • Faith-based or community-based housing programs

  • Rental assistance preparation

  • Family reunification planning

  • Housing stability dramatically lowers recidivism and improves community safety.

• Continued Counseling & Emotional Support

  • Participants maintain access to:

  • Trauma-informed therapy

  • Relapse-prevention support

  • Anger management reinforcement

  • Emotional regulation coaching

  • Peer-support networks

  • This ensures they do not lose the emotional progress made inside.

• Family Reunification & Relationship Strengthening

  • To ensure long-term stability, the Release stage supports:

  • Parenting classes

  • Supervised family reunification sessions

  • Communication rebuilding

  • Relationship and conflict-management skills

  • Restored family bonds strongly protect against reoffending.

• Mentorship & Wraparound Community Supports

  • Participants are connected with:

  • Community mentors

  • Faith-based partners

  • Employers

  • Civic organizations

  • Alumni networks

  • This extended safety net prevents isolation and keeps individuals anchored.

• Advancement Requirement

  • Demonstrate stable employment

  • Maintain housing

  • Sustain positive behavior and accountability

  • Complete all components of their reentry plan

  • Receive a final recommendation from their reentry team

Daily Routine

• 6–7 AM — Morning Meditation & Goal Setting

  • A grounding routine that reinforces emotional stability, personal accountability, and intentional planning for reentry success.

• 7–10 AM — Breakfast & Reentry Communication Window

  • Breakfast service followed by time for communicating with employers, mentors, reentry coordinators, and family members to finalize plans.

• 8 AM–12 PM — Employment Preparation & Workforce Transition

  • Participants engage in:

  • Job placement coaching

  • Resume and interview workshops

  • Digital literacy and workplace communication training

  • Verified employment preparation with Alabama workforce partners

  • For those already in work-release roles, this block includes supervised off-site or hybrid employment.

• 11 AM–2 PM — Lunch Window

  • Meal period and personal reflection time.

• 1–3 PM — Reentry Planning Sessions

  • A structured block dedicated to finalizing all components of a complete reentry plan:

  • Housing placement

  • Identification (ID, SSN, birth certificate)

  • Transportation plan

  • Medical and mental health continuity of care

  • Financial literacy and budgeting

  • Legal obligations and documentation

• 3–4 PM — Counseling, Mentorship & Support Groups

  • Continued therapeutic support focused on relapse prevention, emotional regulation, relationship rebuilding, and navigating community challenges.

• 4–5 PM — Evening Meditation or Spiritual Reflection

  • A calm, reflective close to the structured day that promotes readiness and emotional resilience.

• 5–7 PM — Dinner Window

  • Nutrition and decompressing time.

• 6–9 PM — Independent Skill-Building, Recreation & Family Reintegration Activities

  • Flexible block for:

    • Mentor meetings

    • Peer support groups

    • Healthy recreation

    • Family reunification sessions

    • Online coursework or job training

    • Housing or employer follow-ups

• Graduated Supervision & Accountability

  • Release includes a structured step-down approach:

  • Regular check-ins

  • Employment verification

  • Housing stability confirmation

  • Continued education or training

  • Random wellness checks

  • Supervision focuses on support—not punishment—while ensuring public safety.

• Advancement Requirement

  • Demonstrate stable employment

  • Maintain housing

  • Sustain positive behavior and accountability

  • Complete all components of their reentry plan

  • Receive a final recommendation from their reentry team