Inside California's new prison model 'Prisneyland'

[@lamatsultrimyeshe5342]

I am a retired prison Chaplain who work for the state of Wisconsin. I am in total agreement with this approach. The warden told me, 'Punishment doesn't work.' An incarcerated person told me, 'I am very good at being bad. I don't know how to be good.' They need to learn life skills. Learn to be responsible, to be aware of how their actions impacts others. Many are eager to learn if the right conditions are present This type of prison results in a better work environment for staff.

[@seanrowshandel1680]

Objectively, the rulings themselves are the punishments. However, some families consider prison to be a tradition. How did we get to this point? What [negative] role did northern South Asian influence play?

[@caseylewis3359]

How about you just take the same programs and put it in impoverished areas and prevent prison also?

[@seanrowshandel1680]

He's a Buddhist/Hindu chaplain, not an official. Let's improve our language skills@@caseylewis3359

[@mral6809]

​@@caseylewis3359I agree almost 90% with you. My wife was a victim advocate for violent crimes and I know that certain people do need to be in prison due to their violent nature and the pleasure they receive from it. I believe, like you, that the majority can be productive in an environment that promotes education, counseling ( many inmates have been victims) and continued support once reunited with families. This would create jobs in communities, diminish the astigmatism of being an ex-convict, increase employment of ex-convicts and the families would most likely not see the same financial hardship. FYI - the Illinois death penalty was suspended once the governor found out that 11% of the death row inmates were found to be innocent. Less than 5 years later Illinois State found that it was actually 13%. Georgia and Arkansas had activists that had found more than 32% of the death row inmates were innocent but the states would not hear their cases. The majority of those cases were of black and Hispanic individuals which due to their convictions made them ineligible to vote in their states.

[@cryptameria666]

"uncle" Fraser spent 20 years in the pen, 10 on the street after he was released. I was so mad at my first husband for bringing him home but if we didn't, Fraser wouldn't have survived. He remembered how to live "indoors". A little compassion can move even the hardest hearts.

[@LINKPRODUCTIONS]

It’s amazing what happens when you treat people like human beings.

[@jasonwalker2150]

maybe if the thugs did that first, they wouldnt be there? Amazing, when you do that to law enforcement they tend to do it the same. but acab right?

[@TheCommanderFluffy]

​@@jasonwalker2150yeah, ACAB. You just assumed they did violent crimes to get here despite violent crime being it's lowest since we've been keeping track.

[@Slayer--]

If you believe this story I got a bridge to sell you!! cheap.it's in Brooklyn!!

[@halfwayempty]

@@jasonwalker2150 Americans are hypocrites. We talk about freedom all the time. But, we are the only country that imprisoned someone for a crime then take their rights away when they completed their time. That is crazy. They can't vote, get a job, can't have a gun, and still labeled a criminal.

[@alejandrocervantes9199]

​@@jasonwalker2150 Maybe if our government had programs in place to teach our youth they wouldn't have to learn through trial and error 😮 it's almost like America is failing its people in every single way

[@turdferguson1021]

I was so poor once I actually thought about getting arrested just so I could sleep inside and have 3 meals a day. Not even kidding.

[@nubz5838]

That's what most homeless do where I come from in Massachusetts come late October they commit a crime that gets them locked up till spring.

[@joefox9765]

No fun being homeless. Thought the same

[@zekesaadiq108]

3 hots and a cot

[@MMFrost]

Haha I had a couple family members that did that

[@nancysatkinson1568]

Understand!

[@kellypatterson4412]

Psychology makes a huge difference. What incentive is there to improve when you're treated like you're worthless?! Our current system hasn't been working. What harm could treating them like they are redeemable do?!

[@nubz5838]

The point of American prisons is to keep them full for profit. Private prisons need to be outlawed!

[@modernmediamobiledjservice8441]

So I guess you can make your girlfriend or wife take a d1rt nap for cheating and end up playing shuffleboard. Sounds great!

[@MxneyHacker]

our current system is working. these are called prison colonies, russia does the same thing. these are also people who haven't committed heinous crimes

[@azimuthbusinesscenter]

If criminal justice worked, no one would ever be a repeat offender

[@thunderstar254]

This is called science mate. The study of society and its social dynamics is the social science called sociology.

[@aviatorsound914]

And what is that criminal justice? Sounds more like corruption…

[@azimuthbusinesscenter]

@@cultcompound6679 poop and pee

[@ZaOnly420]

Humans bro that's the problem.

[@AriannaAyers]

The most heartwarming thing about this story are the positive comments here. I was expecting naysayers. Bravo commentators for showing both civility and humility.

[@BobbiesButtons]

So did I. Almost chose to not read comments expecting them to be ugly. So pleased!!

[@johncarle7807]

For real. I was expecting hate for inmates and hate for California. That caught me off gaurd

[@meep2253]

I love when we can just have empathy and be open to forgiveness

[@Treekicker]

yeh, happy to see most people are not being nasty here.

[@tammyrenee64]

I always read comments, a few after watching something on social media and actually almost quit reading them cause of such bad comments, so glad I read these, great job all around y'all🫶✌️🙏

[@AbrahamSamma]

There is no point in making people destined for release more resentful of society. It just creates a cycle. This is amazing.

[@johnwattdotca]

It's not amazing up here in Canada. It's ordinary.

[@ItsYaBoi888]

​​@@johnwattdotca😮 sounds like a more functional society. Protect it by all means.

[@johnwattdotca]

@@ItsYaBoi888 There are cities in Canada where there are no locks on any doors, anywhere. People leave other peoples stuff alone, not picking up stuff they think someone else forgot or lost. Up north, there are communities of natives who mixed with the northern islanders who were crossing the Atlantic, one half-Ojibway and half Scot, wearing kilts and speaking a blended language. I've seen descendants of Viks, huge red-heads. Viking is a verb, meaning to explore and trade. I was lucky enough to be accepted by Mohawk natives I was working with, and they introduced me to friends. We all live in the land of the new rising sun.

[@ItsYaBoi888]

@@johnwattdotca sounds real chill, like a dream come true. 👍 Wish us luck here in the States. Politics has divided the population more than I can remember. I'm 35.

[@johnwattdotca]

@@ItsYaBoi888 I don't want to wish you luck as if you really need it, because I'm seeing a social media craze that keeps going, when the reality isn't that bad. Past President Trump might be a big problem, but he's not the president, and he's not taking part in the Republican Party presidential debates. He's not legit any more, just a rich political freak. If you were older and went through the Kennedy assassination and Viet Nam, you'd think now is all about being a drama queen for social media, now a world unto itself. You might not know that Viet Nam became known as a "war for profit", why the military draft was removed from the public, and public perception about the military changed. Four Kent State student protesters were killed by National Guard. That's not happening now. Good luck if you decide to play funk bass.

[@kushman425]

That's what rehabilitation is all about

[@gerardolopez8228]

I was a lifer doing a 16 to life sentence. I spent the last 4 years of my 18 yrs incarcerated down in VSP. I was granted parole in October 2017. It's been over 6 years and thanks to the programs, help, and education that I was provided with in prison,, I haven't relapsed, I've been able to stay out, and most importantly I haven't committed a crime again!!

[@badbetty76]

Thats awesome! keep up the hard work!- 👏

[@deannaburch3381]

Congratulations keep up the free life and enjoy it.

[@bjoardar]

You've worked hard to redeem yourself. Good job sir. I hope the rest of your life will be one full of love and smiles.

[@Gzus1Luv]

What about your victim?

[@gerardolopez8228]

@@Gzus1Luv I will never be able to turn time back, but I will never forget what I did, I won't allow myself to do such thing. I know my victim by name, and when his family spoke in my board hearing I kept every word, he was loved and admired, he had a cat whom he loved and cared for with dedication, he loved matehmatics in school, he was very smart, and was an 'A' student. He enjoyed fishing and baseball, he was San Francisco Giants fan. I still feel the words of his mothers penetrating my heart, she didn't speak with anger or hate, she spoke softly and kindly, almost whispering. All I can try to do is live by my victims wishes, of course, I always fall short as I try to honor him everyday, but he still lives in my memory, as the words his mother told me ' don't you ever forget my son'.

[@randyx007]

California doing something right finally. Really, this video made me tear up a bit because it wasn't about keeping people in the system. It was about making them human and fixing the problems. Hopefully we can get rid of for-profit prisons in the USA.

[@evanandersen64]

Statistics do not lie. This is how corrections and rehabilitation should be.

[@ac61900]

Should have been but prisons were set up for people to come back. Private

[@lars2894]

I think this will take a lot more trial and error to get right. It seems like they're tryping to copy Northern European socialist countries and the system does work brilliantly well over there, but our cultures are drastically different, as are the backgrounds and personalities of people who commit crimes over there versus here in America.

[@bobroberts2371]

Except you are forgetting that entry to this prison is earned by good behavior while in a standard prison. That skews the rehabilitation numbers at the facility and makes the standard prison numbers look worse. It is very easy to help people that want some sort of help. The real test would be to bring random people into this prison and see how long the " calm " lasts.

[@dchiznit209]

@@bobroberts2371I think this is only going to work if regular prison stays as an alternative. Carrot/stick approach

[@TheTaoofEternalWar]

Statistics do not lie? Are you mentally ill?

[@DefensisIndus]

Our children's schools are designed like prisons 😂 Please do this for schools too 💪

[@Badpoison1]

For real!

[@nca4794]

It would improve things, but schools are harder because the parents are in control. For it to be the most effective, you'd need some of them in the program as well.

[@escovision1986]

Amen brother lol

[@veche7959]

😂😂 Compton high had no windows

[@AwkBlackGirl]

The schools with the most struggles are (sometimes) serving children of incarcerated people. If their parents are rehabilitated, they may be able to be more supportive of and engaged in their children’s education! So this could be indirect solution to the challenges between teachers, schools and parents.

[@cameronvosburgh5826]

I spent 5 years in this prison. It really saved me

[@boskee]

Wishing you all the best!

[@lifedeather]

Nice

[@johnnyc0811]

Proud of you brother

[@foreignnwhipcrasher]

I spent two here. Honestly it changed me too. Seeing familiar faces in this video put a smile on my face

[@mattsmith4589]

Much love and hope for a positive future🔥🫡

[@larsonfamilyhouse]

This is WONDERFUL!!! I’m literally crying over something this awesome happening. It is just the turnaround we need! Thank you for leading the way!! 🥰

[@Iloveeegod]

Awesome, hopefully this goes widespread across the country. Wishing this program success.

[@Volundur9567]

Scandinavian prisons are very much focused on rehabilitation. There's some that even lets you clock in and out of prison to work.

[@plantationsecurity]

Ya that's never going to work for Jamal

[@lauren6509]

This won't go viral because it's too positive. I appreciate the good journalism please keep it up💯

[@sawyer7191]

Seriously! This should be on a National News story!!!!! This should be such a huge positive for American Society. Let me make it go more viral!

[@ChiBrianXIII]

We don't need a video for this to become known. Share it, talk about it, and promote positive lifestyles amongst the ones around you. Be the change, not just wait for social media to run its course.

[@rashaadgreene]

Same thing I said. V sad

[@ItsYaBoi888]

Facts. This needs the go viral but alas. It likely won't because most news media organizations aim to focus on negative news. 😭

[@Uneldo7]

This prison has been open since 1995

[@Tailss1]

Prisons in America are just compulsory state funded schools to be better criminals - looks like this one actually teaches legit useful skills.

[@Pardeboy]

This is actually so dope to see California make efforts to improve on rehabilitation

[@michaelhayes8519]

Prison should be a punishment and a rehabilitation process, make it like school 🙏 Edit: You're there to take full advantage of the services provided to teach you valuable skills to function in society. If you don't want to get better/ show no signs of change, then its normal prison for you. Taxpayer money is already wasted, why not invest in a better society that doesn't profit off incarceration

[@SK-rs1hu]

School is a prison

[@margaretlemmon1143]

A lot of these people are very sick. Punishment doesn't work and they're not well enough for a punishing school schedule. There needs to be a lot of patience, which this society has very little of. And for any system to work you can't throw them back into a greedy, selfish, cruel society and expect them to be able to make it. People with lots of support and no criminal record are having a hard enough time making it.

[@michaelhayes8519]

@margaretlemmon1143 what would you actually suggest then? Re education of inmates is working in other countries, but those countries actually have a society that cares about others, so I can see why it possibly wouldn't work here in America. While school can be rough, please remember these inmates are not a bunch of college age people. If they had the choice between a normal prison schedule, or one that involves classes that actually set you up for life on the outside; 99% of inmates would choose schooling. They're locked up 24/7 anyways, they can't just turn on the TV or relax like you or I can, or eat what they want to. Every ex prisoner I've ever heard talk about jail, has actually brought up this exact idea of rehabilitation, that's where I got the idea from. What would be more stressful? Taking classes to better your life, so that you can actually support the people waiting for you on the outside, possibly reducing your sentence? Or. Going through your prison sentence like normal, learning that prison isn't so bad if you can bottle up your emotions, and possibly learn more skills from other inmates to make you a better criminal? One has you returning home, the other keeps your mind locked up even after release. I would argue that those who are deemed mentally unfit, shouldn't be in prison to begin with, but that's a separate argument. If you're not well enough to be reintegrated back into society after receiving actual help, you don't belong in society. Its a hard pill to swallow, but easier than saying none of them deserve a chance, because YOU think it wouldn't work.

[@JzNMuzak]

As someone that's been in and out of prison I know first hand what that place does to you. Hearing this story and seeing the results if it's the real deal I highly commend with California's doing and I would never thought I would have said something like that. Maybe some of these privately funded prisons Can get some insight here.

[@adrielburned6924]

My brother was a guard at a max prison. Imu unit. The horror stories I heard were nearly unbelievable. And many from guards. I hope you are doing well. ❤ I hope God has, and will bless you.

[@mocat1]

If you look up The Norden, here on YT, there is an episode focusing on the prison system in Norway. I came across the series about 7 years ago.

[@TheRealCaptainFreedom]

No privately funded prisons, G. Privately run prisons that are publicly funded.

[@sharonl3722]

I hope you are doing well and can stay out of prison.

[@Quagthistle]

Sadly, that would probably be bad for the privately run prisons (that are publicly funded, though). The last thing they want to see is a decrease in prison population or population density. That would be bad for their profits.

[@tblcville]

If you treat a person like a criminal the entire time he's in prison why do you expect him to be anything different . These guys don't start their time off doing his they have earned their shot at a program like this ... if you understood the attitude of most corrections officers and the attitude they have when speaking to somone that has been arrested. The most frustrating and demoralizing thing to have your future in the hands of people who couldn't care less about your situation because they don't "have too"

[@RarebitFiends]

It sounds frustrating enough that maybe it's better to not do things to land yourself behind bars.

[@nathanielbellmore]

The opposite is also true. My state decided drug dealers and thieves are non-violent and therefore don't deserve jail time for their crimes. Even repeat offenders are getting slaps on the wrist. Drug overdoses and property theft has skyrocketed in the past 3 years here. The public is not happy, but the criminals are and so are the government subsidized employees who make 80k a year providing "social work" for the criminals.. Now, more people than ever before are willing to engage in theft, and a lot of them are teenagers and college age kids. The system abandoning punishment has led to these kids thinking that it's not a big deal to steal. The lack of adequate punishment for crime is actually making MORE criminals around here. And yeah, I saw that coming from miles away 😂

[@LockedNloadEED]

DONT BREAK THE LAW.

[@werewolflover8636]

@@LockedNloadEEDExactly! Every single one of these hug a thug activists here will quickly change their tune soon as one of these outstanding individuals they love so dearly harm them or someone they love! Just sit back and enjoy the show.

[@musicalbenches]

The punishment is being separated from loved ones, having restrictions not experienced by people who aren’t incarcerated. Separation from society and lack of usual freedom is punishment. Prison environments being miserable experiences reinforces miserable behavior. Rehabilitation is good. Can’t be rehabilitated, you should continue to be separated from society. But that question about shouldn’t prison be punishment was telling. It expresses a desire for vengeance, not justice. But I think most of us have had the same thought. Good on California. Probably the only time I’ve ever said that…

[@ac61900]

Yeah a lot of people don't realize that some of these guys were not able to even get here within a 5 year term. So it's not like they commit a crime and get to go straight to here.

[@fortnob]

This. Thank you. I spent 3 years in prison and the first thing that struck me was the basic things that I could no longer do: see my loved ones, take walks, existing without being watched, and even experience physical touch. I was never big on being touched before but I don't know how many times I would be going through it and all I needed was a hug but it was against policy. Even after prison, getting a job, housing, a partner -- every aspect of life is complicated and made more difficult. But the kindness and focus on humanity shown within this video is exactly what so many incarcerated individuals need to redirect their life to a more positive path.

[@angiewheeler4768]

I am in awe of all the work they are doing there. My family and I have always talked about how the prison system has failed so many. It’s wonderful to see that it’s working at that prison. Sometimes it’s giving someone a chance to become a better version of themselves that makes all the difference. I hope other prisons follow.

[@BrokeMyCrayon]

Fact is, what we're doing now isn't working. If it turns out this leads to lower rates of reoffending and is safer for them, then good on the people making the changes

[@AmandaMcGee]

As someone who went to jail in my teens and early 20s for minor marijuana offense, I have always thought that incarceration would be much more effective if the inmates were treated like humans and given a chance to succeed. Seeing something like this makes me feel very happy at the progress our country is making

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

Prisons started getting turned into for profit models for corporations and also USA has highest rate per population in prison. So corporations want full prisons there is no incentive to rehabilitate. And laws that make pretty much everything we do illegal and the push to force anyone arrested to plead guilty for a plea bargain to avoid trial. The system is very ugly so any attempt to improve that system should be celebrated.

[@notthedrugs]

@@disneygirl6295 Which is the majority of US prisoners. Why are we placing non violent individuals. In a place they need to toughen up, become cold, be violent. Its so counterintuitive. And a miscarriage of justice. Its just a revolving door of cheap labor. Easy money.

[@tishasian4314]

It's about time the prison systems reform themselves because I've been saying this for the past 30 years you cannot lock somebody up in prison and then expect them to get out with nothing and not re-offend again they have to be rehabilitated

[@cameronwhitaker3864]

This story helps prove that the bigger key to reforming people convicted/punished for domestic violence or bullying is not just punishment, but getting rehabilitation.

[@episodebeats2817]

How does it help prove anything when we haven't examined the results & stats yet?

[@djbenje4019]

No, it's a combination of BOTH. It is ESSENTIAL for people to understand that there are CONSEQUENCES for their hurtful or unlawful actions. And that consequence has always been LOSS OF FREEDOM (incarceration). But instead of just letting them rot and fester in jail doing nothing, why not help them learn what it means to be a well-adjusted social being. It's about time America got smart about it's penal system. But actually, the REAL key starts at the home -- being nurtured and raised in a SANE, RATIONAL, PEACEFUL, EMOTIONALLY STABLE environment. The govt should be MUCH more involved in educating and promoting PARENTING skills, and even LIFE skills. Teach our children, from a very young age, the VALUES of good character -- honesty, responsibility, humility, decency, selflessness, caring, sharing, forgiving, understanding, compassion, honor, integrity, courage, etc. In this age of Trumpism, the world SORELY NEEDS to get back to these values.

[@RJAZ89]

If that makes you sleep better at night, I guess run with that mentality.

[@3751britishcolumbia]

There still needs to be consequences for certain actions. I agree with the rehabilitation approach rather than treating them like criminals, though.

[@episodebeats2817]

@@djbenje4019 More criminals are rocking with Trump now because they had more money in their pockets during his reign & didn't have to commit as much crime to survive. He also got guys outta jail & signed a prison reform bill. Aside from mean tweets & occasional buffoonery, everyone including criminals were doing much better under Trump compared to now. Businesses are closing left & right, crime is up, millions of illegals have poured over the border, inflation, higher taxes, wars etc all under Biden.

[@ropeysubstance1719]

this is soo insulting to victims of extremely violent crimes.

[@dontmatter966]

Anyone who was convicted of an "extremely violent crime" would be sent here. Chill out.

[@Bert-r5r]

Those violent offenders will be sent to prisons for more hardened criminals. Like pelican Bay or Chino

[@TimmyTOnTheFly]

Womp womp cry more 🤡🤡🤷🏽‍♂️

[@ropeysubstance1719]

@@TimmyTOnTheFly george floyd is dead bro

[@linedanzer4302]

As soon as they started turning prisons into for-profit institutions, rehabilitation became a long forgotten thing. Many of these men and women can be rehabilitated.

[@ChristianHernandez-cs2mu]

“We are not a punishment business, we are a rehabilitation business”… beautifully said.

[@bobroberts2371]

Except this prison ONLY gets people that want to be reformed and have stellar good records for a very long time while serving in a regular prison. Put standard inmates here and there will be chaos on the first day.

[@buttface9434]

and this is yet another reason why crime in california is out of control. its never the criminals fault.

[@Cucumberflavoredmustard]

For inmates who actually want to be rehabbed, sure. Some people cannot be rehabbed. Lifers, kiddie pervs, grapists...there is no fixin' those people.

[@YogiTheBearMan]

There were 174,026 violent crimes reported in California in 2020, more than in any other state. Adjusting for population, however, California’s violent crime rate of 442 incidents for every 100,000 people is 16th highest among states.

[@NS-tx3cu]

Imagine the difference on millions of lives if this was rolled out nationally. This includes a dramatic reduction in crime, huge benefits to prisoner’s families and beneficiaries of training programs such as service dogs, and billions reallocated from prisons due to reduced prison populations to affordable housing and other services. This approach is proven, roll it out urgently!

[@sawyer7191]

Yesssss!!!

[@nickjohnson9640]

I certainly agree with you. You forgot the part where politicians and their special interests get rich doing it though :(

[@lifeisgood3589]

California has finally done something I agree with !!!!

[@timg2973]

While crime is thru the roof...

[@episodebeats2817]

@@timg2973 Yeah let's give criminals even more incentive to commit crimes by turning prisons into the Holiday Inn.

[@UlexiteTVStoneLexite]

​@@timg2973it's not

[@timg2973]

@@UlexiteTVStoneLexite so stores are not being robbed? cars are not being stolen? have you not been paying attention?

[@girlanonymous]

@@timg2973fearmongering tv taught you that? FBI crime stats say otherwise..crime went down across the board last year FYI.

[@Obeijin]

And what about the victims of these people ?

[@Madfattdeeb]

This is one of the greatest improvements I have heard our government doing in my lifetime. This not only helps the inmates, it helps the staff and the community at large. I wish I could thank all those involved and hope this way of thinking continues to spread.

[@madtheghost337]

Love this. Most people simply can't imagine what it's like to lose your freedom until it's actually gone; think early COVID quarantine, but you absolutely can't leave the comfort of your home. A place like this should probably be reserved for less serious/tier convicts, but we can learn so much from this as a society, not just with felons, but with the homeless, drug addicted, and mentally ill as well. I pray that these prisoners find some skills and passions and fly out of there ready to live life well and never go back. I hope we receive them welcomingly.

[@dvgtransportation9607]

If you were grounded than you would know

[@kimberlyncollins7839]

There lost their freedom for a reason and I don’t know what it’s like because I followed the rules. Sorry, not sorry!

[@anonymoushuman8443]

stop comparing covid quarantine to prison 🙄 some of us got out of our homes to go to work daily

[@implecity]

@@kimberlyncollins7839say that until your son or daughter is in prison for a non violent crime for a long time. Judgmental POS

[@gusto8585]

Comparing Covid quarantine to prison is hilarious!!!😅

[@milanimorales2645]

Great work. I always believed working with animals teaches people how to be compassionate with other creatures.

[@spoonsVSforks]

Because it quickly reveals who has no compassion and lacks it

[@johnwattdotca]

You don't have a belief. You have a psychotic animosity towards other humans.

[@Dictone-kg3tq]

Based on the way the inmates look, this is probably prison for the low risk prisoners with non-violent crimes, since I don't see any clearly crazy people in there.

[@Alien_isolationist]

San Quentin has more or less the same programs, and they look exactly the same, and you wouldn't know that it houses thousands of murderers who have mostly stayed out of trouble for the last decade.

[@KasperDrahgyn]

Or…and hear me out here….those people look that way because they are a product of the environment

[@vivian2217]

You do know that murders can look like normal people, the boy next door. Looks can be extremely deceiving!

[@GodhandPhemto]

you are correct you have to EARN your way to here with good behavior, im sure theres some dudes who have done serious violent crimes before but flew straight in the system for a few years to be rewarded.

[@vidaacheampong2563]

​@@FireThemAllthey're all in la county jails

[@j.d.c.777]

This actually makes sense. Rehabilitation > violent recklessness.

[@aarons2632]

This guy should be reporting on traffic or the weather. He’s not the right reporter for this story.

[@rattydeluxe]

This is miraculous! Low recidivism and no homicides in prison? I really hope this works ❤

[@Mingonator87]

Me too. It just made my day seeing this humanity taking place in America. Either all lives matter or no one does

[@TwoLeggedTriceratops]

They have to work their way up to go to this prison.

[@heatherhall7899]

Obviously, the inmates are carefully chosen to begin with, so it might be hard to prove whether this actually works or not.

[@shayslaysrealestate]

Love this type of prison system. Prison should be rehabilitate not make people worse. Our prisons create monsters.

[@buttface9434]

no the monsters are created right at home.

[@enzo-pk3ms]

@@buttface9434But when they go to prison, they get worse and do crime over and over again.

[@werewolflover8636]

@@enzo-pk3msSo you rather them have fun and live in luxury for murdering your family then?

[@enzo-pk3ms]

@@werewolflover8636 It’s better than having someone else’s family getting terrorized 20 years later

[@ellierose2661]

So good to see the US learning from what has worked extraordinarily well in Norway. For the benefit of society, we absolutely need to focus on rehabilitation over punishment.

[@werewolflover8636]

Norway isn’t the United States! You’re comparing two drastically different cultures with massive differences in racial diversity as well! First off, 83.2% of Norway is white Norwegian and only 2.6% is black African and just 4% of births come from foreigners. The USA on the otherhand is 59.3% white, 18.9% Latino, 12.6% Black and many others following, over 40% of the population is a racial minority with many different cultures mixed in throughout. While Norway is less than 20% racial minority and the overwhelming majority of the population is the same culture. The United States is large, diverse and violent! This is in contrast to Norway where the population was rather shy and nonviolent. Tell me when was the last time you seen or heard of a massive riot with thugs turning over police cars and setting fires to buildings? When was the last time you heard of a serial killer in Norway? Now tell me how many times any given day you hear about this in the USA and you’ll understand why this would be a golden ticket for criminals in the USA!

[@AlexHand]

This is better living than like 20% of law abiding citizens in San Francisco and LA. All you need to do to get your own place with a beautiful yard, meals included and free job training is to steal a car and get caught. This stuff would cost like $5k/month for everyone else in California.

[@rispy4875]

Yeah them high taxes allow this, homeless people would be committing crimes to flood in here

[@chazgriffin5582]

Any approach is better than what we've been doing

[@cameronwhitaker3864]

Rehabilitation through activities, especially horsemanship activities, are great and effective methods.

[@bendayhoe]

I once heard from someone that being sent to prison only taught the individual how to be a better criminal, and not a better person. This approach feels like a smarter approach-for those incarcerated, as well as for all of society.

[@tw8464]

Exactly

[@weareallone4542]

This should be mandated by the feds to all states!!! Obviously we don't want these people who made a bad choice once in society to come back and do it again right??? So lets get these people some skills and a new mentality.

[@BSTVsports]

The reporter in this interview was extremely annoying and somewhat disingenuous… he smirked and smiled the entire time as if it was a fun trip. But rehabilitation is no joke.

[@poonplugdoonbug]

Teach adults how to be adults, how emberassing

[@allenn7955]

When I traveled to Australia, Japan, and multiple European countries for the first time, I really got to see how the Untied States are below par in many things.

[@datchickshortyrock]

NOW THIS is part of ALL American ValueS. REHABILITATION is key, not extreme punishment. Reintegrate or acclimate them to living a better life by obtaining things they were missing. This is freaking awesome!

[@jessicadalager364]

Rehabilitative Institutions such as this have been needed for quite some time. We need to treat people kindly and give them hope for a better future no matter their disadvantaged past.

[@downandout992]

Seriously, you are clueless. The system doesn't work, and everybody involved in it knows that it doesn't work.

[@vicpens4090]

That prison official at the beginning of the segment didn’t sound to happy 😂😂😂

[@CarlosMendez003]

It's about time our country started treating prison as a place to reform and rehabilatate instead of a revolving door with no hope for anyone (inside and outside including families)! Will it work for everyone, no. Will it help men and women who want to find a way out and the resouces to do it, yes indeed! Well done California, well done!

[@justmythoughts2786]

This is awesome and more of what’s needed rehabilitation

[@manuelamartinez9985]

Naive liberals

[@Eanaj9]

At first I thought this is a joke, but I think this is truly needed. I’m so glad California is finally doing something right for a change.

[@sweettooth1620]

Everyone against it has never been to jail

[@xChimkin]

lol@@Juann-dc1rp

[@platid]

Correct. Most of the voting population has and won’t ever go to or prison. Due to following the rules of society. California’s crime rate and re-offense rate are both proof that this isn’t Norway lol. There’s a difference

[@justal8784]

And you think that’s a bad thing? LOL

[@episodebeats2817]

@@justal8784 🤣We need to earn our stripes bro, get locked up & come out with face tats & muscles

[@episodebeats2817]

Jail was never meant to be pleasant as an incentive to not get locked up.

[@ramlozz8368]

I can’t believe it took us this long!! This is right approach, people are not “bad” their environment turns them “bad”

[@LisaBoulders]

Wonderful idea! Hopefully this model will get adopted nationwide.

[@valentinoesposito3614]

One thing California is actually doing right

[@brendangalios1961]

That's amazing. This should be everywhere. Obviously there are some inmates who can't be in this system, but the vast majority of prisoners in this country re-enter society. They need to be prepared so they don't find themselves in the situations that caused them to offend in the first place.

[@GamersBay]

I agree with this approach, and I honestly wish they would institute such measures in every prison. Confining people to years of staring at a room with 4 walls and having nothing constructive to do would drive any human being insane. Educate them, rehabilitate them so when they leave prison they have a fighting chance to become productive individuals who actually contribute to society. The prison system we see in America today is appalling, with inmates enduring a never ending state of hopelessness. That hopelessness translates to anger, hatred, and violence, nothing good will ever come from that. I had a friend who was murdered in prison here in Missouri over a decade ago. He cited extremely poor/unsanitary living conditions, lack of basic resources, overcrowding, and lack of opportunity to do anything with ones time as primary drivers of violence in the system. I had to send him money just so he could get basic things like toothpaste or a pair of socks, they literally give you nothing.

[@exploringhistory1994]

Prison for profit is not about public safety it’s about profits.Modern slavery.

[@nickizcool20]

I have never been to prison, however it makes sense to teach inmates how to live a normal life doing good things. It truly makes sense from the big picture perspective

[@shanaritsema1267]

This is huge ! Respect

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

They're called correctional facilities for a reason. The idea is when a criminal comes out of prison, they're supposed to be a better person and be able to integrate back into society. Norway has been doing this for ages and their results are great. But we would rather actually teach prisoners to be better criminals, so that they reoffend and private prison owners keep their prisons nice and full.

[@EricaGamet]

And originally, Ben Franklin created the idea of penitentiaries (as in being penitent) where people weren't thrown all together in massive rooms (both men and women together)... but rather in small, personal cells to think about what they had done (and made to read the bible, because, well 1700s). That of course swung too far to one side and the isolation wasn't great. I think after that penitentiaries were changed to the correctional facility model. Most of which do very little correcting these days.

[@abramisme]

"The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons."

[@Jamesssssssssssssss]

It's almost like prison shouldn't be for profit but a place for people to reform and rehabilitated themself.... Nah lets privatize them.

[@fernandoglorenzo]

This needs to be implemented on a national level. Hopefully prisons like these become more humane for those convicted and will allow people to reintegrate back to society much more easily.

[@driftyv]

increase prisoner pet programs for cats

[@JoseSalazar-or1oo]

That makes me really hopeful for everybody who truly gets and wants a second chance!

[@bringyourownsnake980]

Prison admin: "We're not in the punishment business." Tax payers: 😕

[@NoName-c4y7h]

Reward Bad Behavior.

[@CaliRedwood817]

Im in my mid 20's and I was a level 3 override because of good behavior and was in valley state prison from 2020-2022 for the Youth Offender Program and successfully got my GED, multiple kinds of work experience, completed the YOP and recieved no rule violiations my whole term because this place was so good. Im blessed to have went there and had these people to help change my life. #VSP #YOP

[@whyno713]

Punishment has become more an emotion the public feeds off of, and which politicians are more than willing to exploit.

[@01wAdM4fP2CLjVcMi]

People smashing into your car, looting stores, assaulting you, etc then go to prisneyland. Lol

[@willhickey7387]

So you would rather the old way, that clearly doesn't work, mind you?

[@startledmilk6670]

The data of these programs don’t lie. Would you rather them learn how to be better criminals in prison and just reoffend when they get out? Or would you want them to get training to be productive members of society and not reoffend.

[@selfsufficientmama]

They are already punished because they can't leave. This is so much better!

[@a2a918]

The state is literally at stake if it didn't stop being tough on crime

[@ChillGuy9272]

I love this approach! Not all criminals are evil some of them just really need genuine love correction and a sense of direction and I love that they are willing to do this to help change people instead of just giving up on them like society has or some even there families. As a born again believer I know God will use this facility to change hurts and minds and renew life in the spiritually dead! ❤️🙏🏻

[@jtempleton1465]

Inspiring! 👏 Well done! 👏

[@marvelousmarvin4th]

This is great! But put the same amount of money into trade programs in high schools. Then you will decrease the prison population even more!

[@ElGuapo-d8n]

Its funny they aren't showing a level 4 gp facility.

[@El_Diablo_12]

Love this. Never thought I’d see a Scandinavian style prison in the States. California has some good ideas too, we gotta give ‘em credit

[@Yoitsianb]

Every prison should be like this

[@michelejackson7934]

Everyone could use those calming lessons.

[@programmer437]

Preventing recidivism should be the primary goal of prisons. This saves taxpayers money. And it’s clear they haven’t compromised on security when it comes to the dangerous offenders either.

[@jvharbin8337]

Seperation from family and loved ones is the punishment of prison.

[@jb16237]

The criminals have it better than most hard working law abiding citizens

[@anonymoushuman8443]

Law abiding citizens are the real prisoners

[@cmnieman1]

Glad too see there's some real changes being made. When I left prison in 2008 all I got was $200 and a parole officer. The system has been broken for decades. They were designed to keep people on paper to shell over the money they rely on.

[@mendax1773]

Amen. CDCR is very well practiced at telling lies to the public and I think this video is a classic example of it. I know an inmate currently incarcerated at VSP and what you see here is most definitely not his experience. Not even close!

[@plicketyplunk]

Some people will thrive in this environment and will surely make changes in their lives. Others, not so much. Some cannot be changed.

[@WELVAS.]

Some can't but most can. However this rehabilitation is nice, we should also focus on preventing people from falling into the river of crime that leads them here

[@briwolfe8694]

Out of curiosity are you American? I’ve learned that only Americans or Western thinking people uphold the individualistic idea that some are “too far gone”. Seems like we should think it’s a systematic problem in America that has gone on too long and may be harder to reform? It may be hard but it can be done. Would’ve been easier if more Americans were team players in the first place. We are very quick to lock up anyone out of line

[@plicketyplunk]

@@briwolfe8694 Howdy! I'm Canadian if you were asking me.🇨🇦

[@briwolfe8694]

@@plicketyplunk Thanks for answering. I think nobody is above reform from studying culture and child development in college. And from studying how other countries in the East deal with incarceration and reform. I think some of us thinking people cannot be helped comes from us not even knowing what that would look like in North America, where more people are incarcerated than in any other continent

[@RarebitFiends]

​@@briwolfe8694You have a very naive view of the world and limited experience with people if you think everyone can be reformed. Some are too broken. I admire your optimisim to a degree, but its going to get you hurt some day. Speaking from experience.

[@usmc03]

This is complete bs. California should be held liable for any and every repeat offender coming out of this place.

[@bbell8774]

How about implementing this into our school systems so kids have purpose and prevents them from dropping out and ending up in prison

[@qbanz00]

Yeah …give people who break the law a free resort to hang out at

[@dontmatter966]

That's not what this is. Pay attention.

[@JKVisFX]

Wow! I am thrilled to see at least one state in this country is learning something from a country like Norway how to turn prisons into places for actual rehabilitation instead of just punishment. Norway has been doing their program for over a decade now and is showing great results. There is no reason why that can't work here too.

[@johnwattdotca]

Don't look to a distant foreign country as an example, as if that's an excuse for what Americans do. What about Canada, almost the opposite of America?

[@ak9989]

Naive 😂

[@JKVisFX]

@@johnwattdotca No, not an excuse, an example of what we could be doing ourselves. Norway is not some "distant foreign country," it is part of Western Europe and a very successful country. In fact, like many other of the Western European nations, they modeled their societies after the New Deal that we invented here and have since largely abandoned - including our criminal justice system.

[@johnwattdotca]

@@ak9989 former cell-mate

[@johnwattdotca]

@@JKVisFX I wasn't trying to put Canada up over Norway, just the distance involved, none here, lots for you. And I say that because Canada doesn't get mentioned in American media unless something horrible happens they can say is happening in Canada as if it's the United States. I was in Niagara Falls when that senior couple had a heart attack in a van and crashed into the guard house, exploding. That's all it was here, tragic. But seeing American media it was about terrorism, FOX News being the worst. For the first time media lies hit home, seeing it from both sides for the first time. I'm only of Scot ancestry, northern islanders.

[@shroomsandmetal]

If they want to be like Norway they should make healthcare more accessible.

[@ernst91]

Only our liberals care about how Norway does things.

[@shroomsandmetal]

Some ghost person said something about welfare I don't see his comment on here, but I see the notification so let me set it straight. Welfare would work if there were more doctors that accepted medicaid/medicare there are very low numbers of public doctors because you know the politicians push for private healthcare which denies all those poor welfare people you put down. So, it's not a cut and dry situation. Either you have money and get immediate service, or you don't, and you beg for mercy.

[@williwilliams5238]

El Salvador has the best prisons on earth. It’s the opposite of this. Our prisons are weak!! It’s better to make sure the criminal never commits a crime, then having to rehabilitate the criminal and bury the victim.

[@ItzSeannyy]

As good as it is there’ll always be that one guy who will want to go back no matter how good they learned in

[@oindfsg]

This is awesome.

[@faithbenedict7823]

This made me tear up because when i was in the army, i realized we were treated very similarly as prisoners. And when i got out of training and into the real world, i was soooo weird. Thankfully, i knew what being normal looked like and i eventually got back to it, but if i had never known normal, i would still be "off". Idk how to explain it but a good example would be, i used to run everywhere because thats what the army trained me to do. Normal people dont run from their kitchen to their front room. But i ran because walking was too slow. Idk its silly things but it matters. And if youre weird enough for too long, you get outcasted. I read this article about trash baboons or something like that and basically all these alpha monkeys were killed off from eating poisoned trash and all that was left were the ones who werent allowed to eat the trash. Anyways, the group of monkeys became very kind and stress free and anyone that joined the group (alpha mentality or not) were showed how to behave correctly and not so hostile. If you get enough good people in a group, it doesnt matter how bad you were, you wont be "bad" anymore. Especially in situations where its very concentrated like a prison. You can essentially rewire their dna for good or for bad.

[@Marc816]

In the army, you ARE a prisoner!!!!

[@jmbrewer5487]

I agree with you, brother. As a 20 year veteran who went straight to prison, because I couldn't conform to society. I believe prison is and should be punishment (especially for the victims) for animals like myself to be trained/retrained how to act in society. This is a good program, but it should stay a earned privilege. The families of convicts are the victims of the convicts actions, not the punishments the judicial system gave them. That shouldn't be put on the systems back. Break the law, pay the penalty, earn the right to help yourself thru the programs provided and put in the work. Keep this and future programs like it an earned privilege. Unfortunately some of us simply don't deserve it. This country has a really bad habit of giving out to many freebies simply to have it backfire on the people, who don't deserve it.

[@Eye2Eye24]

I think Freud spoke on the similarities of prison and military.