The Road to Freedom
Begins Within
The Crisis in America’s Prisons
The United States still has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and despite recent reductions, the statistics are alarming:
a) 25% of the world’s incarcerated population is in the U.S., with 2 million Americans behind bars.
b) 68% of released individuals are re-incarcerated within three years.(3)
c) Rehabilitation costs account for only 3% of total correctional spending.
d) Prison homicides in California are double the national average, driven by overcrowding and insufficient rehabilitation programs.(1)
e) California spends a shocking $132,860 per incarcerated individual annually, a 90% increase over the last decade.(2)
1 NBC News, February 2016
2 Cal Matters (Jan 2024)
3 2018 Update on Prisoner Recidivism: A 9-Year Follow-up Period (2005-2014)
A NEW PATH TO FREEDOM:
How We Transform Lives
Through interactive practices such as healing shame, breaking the cycles of anger and reactivity, and practicing forgiveness, participants gain new perspectives and unlock a second chance at true freedom.
Our programming leverages recent brain science discoveries about the importance of modeling in accelerating the adoption of prosocial thinking and behavior through utilizing the skills of trained volunteers who are willing to engage and model those behaviors.
CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE:
TRAINED VOLUNTEERS:
Our volunteers engage with incarcerated participants in a non-judgmental space, sharing their vulnerabilities and fostering genuine connections.
Trio System:
In groups of three (1 volunteer and 2 incarcerated participants), each person shares, facilitates, and observes, fostering deep personal growth and healing.
Building Essential Skills:
Participants learn to break cycles of anger & violence, communicate compassionately, and step free of past harmful behaviors so they can rejoin our communities as contributing citizens.
HUMANITY RESTORED
Discover how Jose’s life was transformed by the Freedom to Choose Project and the crucial turning point that led to renewed hope and meaningful connections
THE IMPACT OF FTC
Since 2004, FTC has made a profound difference:
6,965
incarcerated individuals have transformed their lives
720
dedicated & compassionate volunteers
218,700
hours of in-person participant education
95,800
volunteer hours dedicated
Incarcerated participants in our programs demonstrate:
- More peaceful behavior
- A more successful parole process
- Greater ease at integrating back into society and giving back to their communities
- Increased empathy towards others
- Positive self-regulation outcomes
- Improved management of fight, flight, and freeze reactions in triggering situations
Prison Staff report significant positive changes:
- More cooperation
- Fewer disciplinary infractions
- More accountability
- Less violence
- Greater readiness to move into leadership positions
- A more positive outlook for the future
- A calmer, less violent prison culture
Hear Their Stories
“FTC created a space where I could experience human connection. Their openness allowed me to take responsibility and equipped me with tools to make wiser decisions.”
– Eric, FTC Graduate and FTC Staff Member
Get Involved: Make a Difference Today
95% of incarcerated individuals are estimated to earn parole.
Your support can help them heal, learn, and reunite with their families and communities.
Our Life-Changing Programs
We have several programs offered in various formats to accommodate different needs and objectives.
Pathways to Freedom Large Workshop
A transformative weekend workshop where over 50 volunteers work with 200+ incarcerated individuals, teaching crucial communication and emotional healing skills.
In-Prison Monthly Groups
This program provides incarcerated participants with a unique and transformative opportunity to cultivate and develop essential life skills in a smaller class.
Correspondence Program
Remote learning modules with individualized feedback, allow us to reach more prisons and transform more lives.
More ways to get involved
Volunteering:
Make a meaningful difference and support the ripple effect of peace and healing.
Be the First to Know:
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Register for an Intro Event:
Experience what makes our programs unique and how we make such a difference.
