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 the Idaho Department of Correction to measure the success of its rehabilitation programs—and Idaho CAPP came in first place in the state! We sat down these men to ask them how the programs are impacting their lives.

This interview is with Sage Williamson. Click on the video above to watch the interview or read below.

Question: Have the programs at Idaho CAPP helped you?

Response: Yes, they have. They’ve taught me a lot of tools through the CBI-SA [cognitive behavioral intervention-substance abuse] program which I took and also the pre-release, that I will be using for the rest of my life to make sure I stay out of places like this.”

Question: What is the most valuable lesson you will take from Idaho CAPP?

Response: That I have the tools that are right there in front of me, and that’s something I usually ignore. And [I] don’t have to look very far, and the tools are right there. And that I’m a lot more useful than I give myself credit for. And there are so many programs and so much help out there that the only thing you have to do is go out there and ask for it and not be too prideful.

Question: What do you think about the staff at Idaho CAPP?

Response: I do think the programs are effective. I especially like the instructors. They go into  depth, and they seem like they actually take each individual, not just as a group trying to shuffle you through. The instructors, the COs [correctional officers], and even the warden, he comes into our fly tying class. They all get hands-on with us. And they take us aside. I’ve seen them take many individuals aside, myself [included], and they ask us if we’re doing ok. And they come in and do monthly check-ins and reports. And, yeah, I really like how they take care of us here.

Question: Do you think you’ll ever end up back in prison?

Response: I do not. I do not. I do not see any reason why I should with the tools they’ve given me here and opened my eyes to. Just because of all the self-esteem that they actually built up in me, letting me know that I do have the tools to do it…and that I can overcome. I’ve just got to keep pushing day by day.