Freedom Takes Planning
A comprehensive 22-lesson certification course that transforms the reentry journey—giving incarcerated individuals the tools, knowledge, and personalized plan they need to succeed.
82% of released prisoners are rearrested within 10 years.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
700,000 People Are Released From Prison Every Year
Most leave with $50 in their pocket and nowhere to go. Without a plan, without support, without the skills to navigate a world that’s changed while they were away—the cycle continues.
The Numbers
- 1.9 million people currently incarcerated
- 79 million Americans (1 in 3) have a criminal record
- $1.2 trillion annual cost to society
The Barriers
- 27% unemployment rate (5x national average)
- 10x more likely to experience homelessness
- 60-75% still unemployed after one year
The Cycle
- 43% rearrested within 1 year
- 66% rearrested within 3 years
- 82% rearrested within 10 years
But research shows this isn’t inevitable. Evidence-based programming can reduce recidivism by up to 55%. The question isn’t whether it’s possible—it’s whether we’ll do it.
An Evidence-Based Curriculum That Actually Works
The Ready for Reentry Certification Course is built on the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model—the gold standard in correctional rehabilitation. It’s the same framework that underlies the First Step Act and has been validated across 80+ research studies spanning three decades.
But we didn’t just follow the research. We built something different.
Comprehensive, Not Fragmented
Most programs address single issues. We address all eight criminogenic factors—the specific needs that research shows actually predict success or failure.
Action-Based, Not Advice-Based
Every lesson produces a concrete, written output. Not “think about housing”—confirmed placement with signed lease, emergency contact, and scheduled move-in date.
Documentary-Driven Learning
Real stories from people who’ve walked this path. Each lesson features 5-6 minute interview segments with formerly incarcerated individuals sharing specific strategies and turning points.
22 Lessons. 5 Phases. One Complete Plan.
Phase 1: Internal Foundation
Lessons 1-8
Identity transformation, personal agency, emotional regulation, substance abuse recovery. Building the internal foundation that makes lasting change possible.
Phase 2: Personal Stability
Lessons 9-12
Secure housing, healthcare continuity, identification documents, transportation logistics. Verified placements—not just plans.
Phase 3: Economic Security
Lessons 13-17
Employment foundations, resume building, job search strategy, workplace success, financial management, and Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs).
Phase 4: Social Capital
Lessons 18-20
Working with parole/probation, family restoration, building prosocial networks. The relationships that sustain success.
Phase 5: Sustained Growth
Lessons 21-22
Long-term vision, contribution to community, and the capstone: a complete, integrated Reentry Plan.
Every Participant Leaves With a Plan
This isn’t a course that ends with a certificate and good wishes. Every lesson produces a concrete output that becomes part of each participant’s personalized Reentry Plan.
- Personal commitment statement and “Why”
- Future self description with key character traits
- Daily success routines and structure
- Trigger identification and response strategies
- Recovery maintenance plan
- Verified housing placement with contacts
- Healthcare appointments and medication continuity
- Document acquisition checklist
- Transportation logistics
- 90-day job search strategy
- Skills inventory and resume
- Monthly budget and LFO payment plan
- Parole/probation compliance plan
- Family restoration roadmap
- Support network with contacts
- Long-term vision and contribution goals
- 30/60/90-day execution checklist
The plan belongs to them. It’s not a workbook that gets filed away—it’s a living document they’ll execute from day one of release.
Built on What Actually Works
We don’t guess. Every element of this curriculum is grounded in decades of correctional research—the same evidence base that’s transformed federal policy.
55%
Lower recidivism with First Step Act programming (RNR-based)
Bureau of Justice Statistics
<9%
Recidivism rate for those who find full-time employment
Council on Criminal Justice
86%
No new felonies at 12 months in supportive housing programs
LA County Supportive Housing Study
23-42%
Reduction with cognitive behavioral interventions
NIJ Meta-Analysis
69%
Lower felony reconviction with credible messenger mentoring
California Stepping Home Program
The RNR Model
Risk: Match intensity to need level
Need: Target factors that predict criminal behavior
Responsivity: Use methods that match how people learn
What This Curriculum Can Accomplish
If deployed to 1,000 participants with a 10% improvement in outcomes:
100
people don’t return to prison
$3.1M+
in avoided incarceration costs (per year)
100
families kept intact
100
cycles of intergenerational incarceration broken
“82% recidivism isn’t destiny—it’s what happens when people leave prison with $50 and nowhere to go. Evidence-based planning changes everything. Help us intervene.”
Where We Are Now
Curriculum Development: Complete
22 evidence-based lessons with comprehensive facilitator guides, participant workbooks, and assessment tools.
Documentary Pre-Production: Q4 2025
Interview protocols finalized. Participant recruitment beginning late 2025 to capture authentic stories from formerly incarcerated individuals.
Pilot Partnerships: Seeking
We’re looking for correctional facilities interested in implementing this curriculum.
Funding: Needed
We need your support to complete documentary filming, produce materials, and deploy this curriculum where it’s needed most.
Your Investment Makes This Possible
The evidence is clear. The curriculum is ready. What we need now is the resources to bring it to life and deploy it where it’s needed most. 700,000 people will be released from prison this year. The question is: will they have a plan?
Individual Support
$100 – Course Access
Digital access and workbook for one participant
$250 – Family Support Kit
Reentry planning materials for one family unit
$500 – Lesson Sponsor
Produce one documentary interview segment
$1,000 – Complete Reentry Kit
Full curriculum + workbook + 6-month follow-up support
Major Gifts & Institutional Partnerships
$5,000 – Workbook Production
Materials for 100 participants + recognition in printed materials
$10,000 – Facilitator Training
Training and support materials for implementation
$25,000 – Documentary Segment
Professional filming of participant stories + executive producer credit
$50,000 – Curriculum Validation
Independent review by correctional research experts + pilot outcome measurement
$100,000 – Full Pilot Implementation
Partnership with 2-3 correctional facilities + named facility partner
$250,000+ – Multi-Site Launch
Regional deployment with research partnership + founding partner recognition
Check Donations: Make payable to The Principle Foundation
Memo: Restricted – Embraced:Fully Project
Mail to: 10670 Barkley St, Overland Park, KS 66212-1861
Embraced:Fully is a fiscally sponsored program of The Principle Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 43-0816306). Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Questions? Let’s Talk.
David Fowler & Gabriel Serafini, Co-Founders
We’d love to discuss partnership opportunities, pilot implementation, or answer any questions about the curriculum.
Research Foundation
This curriculum is grounded in peer-reviewed research and correctional best practices:
Full research compendium available upon request.
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