5 Incredible Prison Rehabilitation Programs

From inmates who domesticate wild mustangs, teach financial literacy classes and find catharsis in theater by performing works by William Shakespeare, we visit five facilities with rehabilitation programs that are breaking down the stigmas associated with life in prison.
SUBSCRIBE: goo.gl/vR6Acb
This story is a part of our Human Condition series. Come along and let us connect you to some of the most peculiar, stirring, extraordinary, and distinctive people in the world.
Got a story idea for us? Shoot us an email at hey [at] GreatBigStory [dot] com
Follow us behind the scenes on Instagram: goo.gl/2KABeX
Make our acquaintance on Facebook: goo.gl/Vn0XIZ
Give us a shout on Twitter: goo.gl/sY1GLY
Come hang with us on Vimeo: goo.gl/T0OzjV
Visit our world directly: www.greatbigstory.com

[@ce6311]

The re-incarceration rate drops so fast when these are implemented, it’s a shame politicians don’t take prison reform more seriously and realize the benefits small changes in the system can make.

[@LD-vr1yq]

Its cause the private/federal prison industry makes a lot of money and many politicians would rather care about making money than setting people free and rehabilitating them. If we rehabilitated the prisons the politicians would make no money. This why things are the way they are sadly.

[@estevantorres9107]

@@LD-vr1yq In other words, prison is a business and they want the inmates to come back to make more money.

[@ce6311]

M-Shake Can’t speak for the states as taxes are different however in Canada millions of dollars above budget is spent on providing healthcare to inmates injured due to jail conditions as well as paying for the increasing number of inmates and over crowding. The government would save a lot of money if they didn’t have to pay for offenders to be in and out of the system, when steps like in this video will help reoffending go down drastically keeping people out of jail.

[@BeGlamourlicious]

Or educate in danger youth as early as possible. That would have saved a lot of people going even to prison.

[@joeytran6194]

TrueNorthBass Prisons cost money to operate. Politicians are corrupt and love money so why would they want to rehabilitate people which would cost more taxpayer money and then lose votes? While I do agree that many prisons are inhuman there’s a lot more issues that we must tackle before this.

[@richardsherry4127]

“What’s the stock market?” “Where white people store their money” I died😂

[@shaneskeffington998]

Its kinda true though 😂

[@stephaniecamplin9212]

What an amazing story! Take it from someone who's done time. I went to a Corrections Facility that had an amazing program. I've been on the right path for 12 years. Held the same job. Good things can come from broken people. If given the chance.

[@looksponge]

Lal

[@kokocutedog1368]

Stephanie Camplin what did you do?

[@perrodehont5109]

I've done time to , most people don't understand the value from a good program , but I have to admit I did relaps . But now at 60+ i finally learned and there is peace in my life .

[@perrodehont5109]

@@kokocutedog1368 tell me what did YOU do?

[@kokocutedog1368]

Perro dehont I didn’t do anything?

[@minty_berry4656]

Honestly I don’t understand why prisons are not like this It helps people so much more than being locked up in a room

[@Nitrodino7875]

The thing is, why do something nice and helpful when people who do awful things are not severely punished.

[@AdmiralFroggy]

If someone murdered your loved one I don't think you would be thinking like you are now.

[@tryomama]

@@AdmiralFroggy most of these prisoners get rehabilitation does not involve murder.

[@DesOttsel]

because they want that cheap labor

[@Itsme-mx5tl]

So this comes down to IF someone commits a crime, they have all these nice things for you when you go to prison. It should be like this place effeing sucks and I NEVER EVER WANT TO COME BACK TO IT

[@yohanessunjoko2837]

I take off my hat for the guy who teaches other inmates about financial and emotional literacy. He has spent so long time in prison yet it is not wasted. He is a blessing for inmates and should stay there to teach even after he is released.

[@jaacobb123]

The level of enlightentment of a society can be measured by the way they treat their "worst".

[@Pizzl]

So enlightening

[@BeGlamourlicious]

I think the biggest punishment is to realize what you have done and admitting that to yourself. A prison can’t do that.

[@AllisonLinner]

That's a very astute comment, and I agree :)

[@alexxa5584]

Absolutely. Fucking absolutely spot on.

[@dcmarvelcomicfans9458]

@@BeGlamourlicious lol

[@Hello-zm8il]

This actually is rehabilitation, people are becoming better and have a positive outcome. This is how it should be done.

[@polosaquarium691]

Your tone would be different if they murdered your loved one.

[@thatnhoxiu]

@@polosaquarium691 Personal anecdotes and emotions can't overcome facts and statistics.

[@kinnondobson9971]

@polos aquarium so you prefer them to get out and continue to do the same? Or do you just feel like crime will disappear by killing inmates, effectively making sanctioned criminals? Where does the line get drawn for you? People have problems that they handle wrong without support. This is the best option for people that truly want to change, instead of keeping them locked with people only to add fuel to the flame. Think from a wider perspective, yes they do need a form of punishment for bad deeds but to only punish has proven to create a more compounded issue.

[@wittle5788]

​@Polos Aquarium and most of the ones In these programs are not killers and just putting ppl jail don't work ,these programs are awesome

[@robinjay5367]

0:00 Locked up with sloths- Monroe County Detention Center 2:40 Finance Program- San Quentin State Prison 6:23 Convict Cowboys- Northern Nevada Correctional Center 9:37 Theatre Program- Solano State Prison 13:28 Dance with your demons- Edgecomb Correctional Facility For anyone else doing homework like I am :')

[@mjb189]

you're a legend

[@serenamoon7367]

Thanks my guy

[@rockwelaj]

I love stories like this. Most of these people are products of their environment and were boxed in to conform to their social situations. Programs like this break those social barriers that were erected around them from the time that they were children and exposes them to things that they wouldn't have seen otherwise. Programs like these show them that they have no boundaries but what they limit themselves to. The next step would be changing the opinions of how people and companies look upon people that have been incarcerated.

[@kittycatcuties]

Those theater inmates are actually hella talented

[@DrAdnan]

It’s great these programs help inmates become better versions of themselves and contribute positively to society

[@WillBill6143]

These should be everywhere

[@olgaanisimova6916]

true beast agreed, education for people who had no access to it outisde of prison or were distracted with life circumstances maybe a way out. It is a powerful tool against dire poverty

[@starshot5172]

@@olgaanisimova6916 No. Prisons are meant to learn people a lesson. Also, a a lot of these prisons have lots of metal objects to make tools out of.

[@jokuvaan5175]

@@starshot5172 Statistics show that rehabilitation vastly lowers recidivism rate. In US it is the highest in the World at 76.6%. Compare that to Norway with rehabilitation programmes and much better living conditions in prisons. There therecidivism rate is only 20%.

[@olgaanisimova6916]

Starshot in theory it is supposed to TEACH not learn a lesson, it is supposed to change individuals for the better so they won’t commit more crimes. And we all know that its not working at all. People are in and out of prison because it does nothing to change their mentality or behavior. All it does is temporarily locks them up from the society. People who come out better are exceptions to the rule. So why not try giving them tools and knowledge to do better once they are out?

[@itsnando20]

Starshot if they create a relaxing environment I can guarantee there would be less shanks and other weapons. And prison should teach a lesson and help rehabilitate those people

[@Pizzl]

You know what. *A story about an inmate and a horse would me a nice movie.*

[@i.likechocolate]

The inmate is a 'bad' person,he always robs people,but when he's out on the run,he encounters a horse.He ignores it,but the horse follows him.The horse and him get in a 'fight' and the criminal runs away.Finally,the inmate gives up and gets on the horse.The horse takes him on trips to different cities,states,and places and with each trip,he discovers something new.He also learns,and forsn't want to rob anymore.He surrenders and he's back in jail for a year.After the year,he gets out and encounters the horse again.Then he becomes a rancher and has his own farm.A love for aninals that started with a horse. :D *Also I'm 1 year late lol TwT*

[@vanessasonica]

I believe prisons should rehabilitate not punish. Is better to reform a person than to let them root and likely commit more crimes in the future when they’re out.

[@Jay_Gut001]

They should punish as well because some behaviours deserve it.

[@learningsevenresearchgoals1127]

@@Jay_Gut001 their freedom and lives are now under state authority. That is a punishment. They are pulled from their lives on the street to do time under lock and key. That is a punishment. But if you are implying that they should be brutalized and terrified the whole time, a)what does that say about your heart and b) what good does that do for society when they eventually get out? Even if they never are getting out, allowing them to grow and heal as people SHOULD be the goal of the system. I also think that more emphasis should be made on helping the criminals and their victims or victims families to find some kind of reconciliation if possible. For some things this is not possible, but fostering an attitude of hate and retribution is not good for either side. It does the victim and their families no good to live in hate and hoping the offender suffers, languishes and dies in prison. What good does that do for anybody? God is love. We only have one go on this earth. We should walk in love as much as possible.

[@N_Nameless]

9:35 Someone braid the horse's tail. That is so adorable :)

[@falktheboss9593]

The funny thing is, that most countrys in West-Europe, I‘m talking about Germany and Scandinavia especially, have these rehabilitation programs implemented in every prison. And the prison population there is way lower. Also the resocialising rate is higher.

[@perrodehont5109]

I agree but sometimes it takes more than one turn to learn , I know because it took me a long time to learn (slow learner LOL)

[@cohengamertv6548]

Down in America ITS JUST A CRIME INFESTED NATION

[@mkpetersen1607]

I think this is due to two reasons 1) it seems like americans have the view that if the punishment is hard, it will frighten people off. That won't work because many crimes are done out off necessity. For instance, if you don't have food for tomorrow, you often don't care about the potential punishment, you'd rather not starve to death 2) here in Europe we see prison time as rehabilitation and (not only) as punishment. That's why you can study at universities while in prison, learn a trade, etc. We don't use the length of the punishment as scare tactics. I get that impression of america. But I might be wrong. Would you (americans) agree?

[@Sophie-jt3sj]

I laughed so hard when that guy said " I've been here just for a year, you know. And these guys are doing a live sentence" 😂😂😂

[@sarahstrong7174]

The thing is that these sort of programmes need to be available to everyone who is disadvantaged & struggling so that people do not go to prison in the first place. Prisons cost a heck of a lot more than drama therapy.

[@sietsemeter7887]

"horses don't care how tough you are, they will equelise the playing field if you wanna play tough" amen to that

[@mrdasilver]

I fully support this and wish every single prison had similar rehabilitation programs.

[@gabrielospina3040]

why would someone ever dislike this type of video?

[@crazyleaf257]

Goes up to see how many dislikes. 😯 Not many, but still!

[@somedudeonyoutube9031]

American

[@marsbaur3564]

I would love to be locked up with sloths.

[@lucygirl4926]

But doesn't one's time go REALLLY slow then...???

[@nickidominantprominant9480]

@@lucygirl4926 be one with the sloths

[@jokuvaan5175]

Statistics show that rehabilitation vastly lowers recidivism rate. In US it is the highest in the World at 76.6%. Compare that to Norway with rehabilitation programmes and much better living conditions in prisons. They have gyms, TV's in cells, limited internet connection, chance to go study even outside of the prison if you behave well..... There therecidivism rate is only 20%. Statistics don't lie. Rehabilitation works.

[@mesolagic]

Nobody else does videos better than Great Big Story. They deserve more publicity.

[@sineadwhelehan1755]

This program is beautiful, humane, and how rehabilitation should be. Amazing :) It's wonderful to see these men smiling, soulful, confident, and coming into their true power. I'm curious about one thing - why do the wild horses have to be tamed at all? Why can't they just live their lives, free, wild, as they naturally are? Not sure why they "have to" be captured and tamed. That's a very human-centred perspective rather than thinking that the horse might want to remain wild, isn't it? I don't know more than the essentials about horses, so maybe I'm missing something.

[@rattails]

This is wonderful! They should have these rehabilitation places everywhere!!❤

[@morganthomas4050]

The theater program is so beautiful I almost cried

[@cookieman3016]

wow. These rehab programs are way better than what is taught in school.

[@sheena6352]

Another good one, GBS! As always! Keep on shining your light, especially to those people, issues, and things that need it the most. ❤️

[@3rdvoidmen594]

I love how there are still dislikes for this kind of videos. No good without evil right?

[@miyukiharley]

Makes me cry , I'm so moved . Something so simple to begin !! Something we all need

[@ZeacorZeppelin]

What about those prison firefighters that's pretty good the only downside I see is that with all this reform if you went to prison you still have to check on a job application form that you went to prison. Real prison reform comes from the state and federal level, instead of private prisons and the mass incarceration of our youth we need better education and social services to prevent the desire to commit crime.

[@learningsevenresearchgoals1127]

It appears that most of the inmates in these programs were more mature in age. I think you make a good point about the youthful offenders, they have a different set of challenges.

[@KourtneeMonroe]

Such an inspiring video. I need the financial class myself

[@israeloblia6620]

If you treat them like animals they become animals

[@istandalone2330]

Your stories inspire me . I have life and I'm going to rediscover the blessed things .

[@Chris_Toh]

Thanks for this video. 👍

[@0hi719]

This is so heart warming ❤️

[@averyhenley8421]

Awesome video!!!

[@tato1700]

Congrats for being first

[@readwithme6781]

Thank you for this ~

[@futaim__alali]

these examples cannot be called PRISON, cause these are examples of giving another life for these people; in other words.. a better life. thank you for the great efforts.

[@crazyleaf257]

Love this!!!!!!

[@Aya-bk5zv]

We need more correctional facilities like these where inmates can be more than prisoners… they can be financial educators/investors, animal trainers, performers/actors ….😍🙏

[@JohnSmith-wz1ev]

The Shakespeare one gives me spongebob vibes

[@MXrider763]

Good shit!

[@pr3sken664]

That zoo prison, I wanna get arrested now.

[@admiral_waffles533]

I got you bro, just kill me. I got crippling depression

[@pin1771]

@@admiral_waffles533 no don't, i love you

[@pin1771]

No homo

[@admiral_waffles533]

@@pin1771 I was clearly joking. I know for a fact that life as we know it is too rare in the universe to waste on suicide. Thank you btw

[@shahbana2060]

Thanks both of you for the wholesome comment thread.

[@beatsbykana]

I still don't understand what the last one was lol. the financial literacy one was crazy impressive though

[@NoName-de1fn]

This is great!

[@amartyaroy3754]

And that's why Norway excels in prison rehabilitation

[@kiwiowo3573]

que the "IM GOIN TO JAIL" meme

[@chris9898776]

This was wonderful and truly gives me some hope. Germany, the Nordic countries, and numerous other countries around the world have figured out that rehabilitation and treating imprisoned people like…well…people… is the best way to lower recidivism. Does punishment have it’s place? Sure. But making society safer starts with making offenders better people.

[@lisamcloughlin4687]

These stories are incredible - people should pay more attention to giving prisoners chances like this instead of getting mad when prisoners are re-incarcerated because they DIDNT get the chance.

[@beverlyevans484]

M Helping my grandson being deliberately kept by malicious lies By kited paid inmates.God has his Punishment due right ones.😅

[@CJ-hj3co]

This restored my faith in humanity

[@KSUBSWITHNOVIDEOS-zl9np]

This is very cool! I’m so glad these programs exist. Good way to escape the dog eat dog world that is prison. There’s really a lot of good unfortunate people locked up behind bars.

[@KourtneeMonroe]

Omg I want to see them do theatre 🎭

[@AzlianaLyana]

How amazing these programs help them a lot - in some ways :) Yeah I remembered Butoh dancing when I visited Kyoto. It's unique and... creepy at the same time.

[@pennkun]

2:11! Thats the animal courier. 🤣 Do you understand the reference?

[@carlstan4282]

Dota 2

[@gabbyc9532]

awesome ! all systems should have this ! put all of them to work !

[@chubbatheBOSS]

So many inmates are very intelligent and that intelligence has been used for a destructive purpose based on dysfunctional upbringing or life circumstances. It’s wonderful to help redirect and rehabilitate that mind power to a totally different lifestyle and set of habits. It is truly inspiring and I am greatly touched by these efforts. God bless all of you!

[@ktihmiveon]

This makes me wanna get arrested

[@miaisaism1137]

Honestly, mood.

[@reeyalama6755]

taemochi ISBSIDNDIESJBDISJAISNAKSNSJSHSJSBSJDND

[@Pizzl]

What crime would you do then?

[@salsabilabawazir9441]

Careful what you wish for

[@proph8772]

Yeah until the cameras go off kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaHdp4Bjf7-Lpqc

[@crazyleaf257]

OMG the acting!!!

[@veselgana]

This horses place was amazing!

[@_blacksunflowers_1384]

This makes me want to apply to the one in Harlem as an English language teacher for any non fluent inmates or something ❤️

[@maxasaurus3008]

Thanks for some positivity, being locked up sucks- fly straight everybody- keep your heads up.

[@filliusawusi6174]

Different Paths can Result in the Same Result.. Success.. Show this in Schools.. In Swahili ya ajabu.. ( Fantastic ) Ubarikiwe.. ( Bless You )

[@crazyleaf257]

This is beautiful

[@AnnoyingAsianWitch]

That dance class seems intense and I want to do it.

[@istandalone2330]

I understand and I'm aware of the way to get there . Out here snapping , popping off at the mouth , taking no disrespect and handling drama in drastic ways . Damn , I'm here .

[@MrDai_]

Respect

[@ha-my.]

Wow 😯

[@istandalone2330]

🙏 Includes the women also . My hats off to you . 🌹

[@Jinipoem]

I think having them interact with animals is brillant idea. Animals incite emotional response.

[@newswomanshazia]

Watch what is turning around criminals in Pakistan's jails: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l36zq6mClrusnrc

[@Yurinsm]

Have you guys heard about APAC program? I think I've watched an Australian documentary about it here in KZbin?

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Financial program is brilliant!

[@SomebodyCaringSomebody]

Things compounded .

[@savantianprince]

Impressive

[@waynemullett2336]

Wow

[@caca-hf9mp]

what if we spelled people like this "peeple" that would be funny i think

[@bridgetelise9761]

Joe Star what the heck so random lol 😆

[@iskandermakhmudov]

Are these state level prisons or federal as well? Like, for example, San Quentin?

[@loganmclarry]

State level prisons

[@PeterTMT]

This is just a small example of the people and talent we let rot in prison. Many people are born being set up for failure from day one. They're put into a environment that creates a mindset of survival rather than the opportunity. Crimes aren't a product of inhumanity or morality, but a part of survival. They can't see anything else because that's their reality. The men in these stories were given a chance at opportunity and a life away from that world. Even though they're subjected to the system they're making great contributions to the world.

[@nightfury1591]

I think this is reverse psychology. When some people are skeptical, these prisoners prove that they can change their lives better than before. Even though they are in prison. _For the record, not all inmates can do it. And not all prisons have rehabilitation programs like this._

[@bistr0416]

If I ever get in jail, I will go to the zoo prison one

[@SomebodyCaringSomebody]

Things are well . I'm writing a screenplay . I'm not able to make moves at the moment , but I'm patient and optimistic .

[@remymedina128]

Amazing what CDCR is doing

[@SomebodyCaringSomebody]

At this hour I'm up trying to write .

[@thewok8101]

These prison is the best

[@pianoman3335]

Haging out that is cool

[@SomebodyCaringSomebody]

Failed business endeavors . Failed relationships . I'm learning to let go and I'm praying to be healed .

[@austinfull8941]

People can change for the better if other treat them good too.

[@WorkHardBeNice]

If you like this video, you will LOVE a podcast called "Earhustle". One of the hosts is a former SQ inmate and it's where I recognize Rahsaan Thomas from!

[@babyuji]

We are early!

[@artilhausa]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@SomebodyCaringSomebody]

Anyway stay up and I'll see you soon Lord willing . Peace and Prosperity ~ Vic

[@Jevonpng]

That guy who picked MasterCard...I need to go to prison to get some stock tips.

[@istandalone2330]

They even have acting classes in there ! Do it outchea y'all .

[@WooMaster777]

❤❤❤

[@xii8307]

That bird made me smile so I hit the like button because the bird is cute

[@alvinananda4841]

Even jail is better than social life

[@SomebodyCaringSomebody]

I've had only 4 visitors outside of my family .

[@Spike-qt7tx]

California had a hard helmet dive course, that led to six figure income jobs, the canceled. They did spend over a million dollars to add the word : "Rehabilitation" to all their paperwork, patches and vehicle stickers.