MTC recently sat down with several men (most of whom have since been released) who were serving six-month sentences at the Idaho CAPP facility in Kuna, ID. The facility was audited in early 2018 by the Idaho Department of Correction to measure the success of its rehabilitation programs—and Idaho CAPP was the best in the state! We sat down these men to ask them how the programs are impacting their lives.

This interview is with Kaelen O’Shea. Click on the video above to watch the interview or read below.

Question: Are you surprised that Idaho CAPP’s programs have been rated highly effective?

Response: It doesn’t surprise me how well they’re doing just because of how organized they are with our lead counselor, our lead case managers. And the program itself, I believe is really beneficial to anybody who hasn’t had a lifetime of good behavior or who maybe comes from a dysfunctional family and maybe hasn’t been brought up very well.

Question: How do the cognitive behavioral programs help incarcerated individuals make real changes in their lives?

Response: It focuses on changing your thoughts to change your emotions to change your actions, and of course having positive and negative outcomes. Really being the watcher of your thoughts, being aware of what you’re actually doing instead of reacting to situations. I think CAPP is doing really, really well in getting to the nitty gritty of people’s individual issues and have them see that there’s a better way.

Question: How have you personally grown from these programs?

Response: I’d say that I’ve gotten a deeper understanding of myself and kind of how, some of the toxic things that I’ve had or allowed into my life. That has become clearer.

Question: Do you believe staff are truly invested in your success?

Response: I do. The counselors that I’ve had, the staff that I’ve had—they really, really care. Just like with every system, you know, you’re going to get some people who are there for a paycheck and some who really, really want to help. And I believe that everybody at CAPP really does want to help.

Question: You’ve been through similar programs in the past. Why is this any different?

Response: Things clicked this time. I’m in the advanced practice program now. Ms. Videen, our lead counselor, she is excellent at really getting to exactly what the core issues are for some people. And I’ve taken it to heart this time, more so than I have in the past. I skimmed the surface of some of the issues that I had, and now, this time around, I’ve kind of looked at them deeper and went, ‘Ok, so this fits now. I’m getting it now.’