Also, under this system, inmates are better prepared for release and are less likely to experience an abrupt transition. Offenders participate, during work and nonwork hours, in productive activities that parallel those found in free society. During the workday, offenders attend school and go to work and, if applicable, participate in treatment for sex offenses, chronic mental health problems, and drug and alcohol dependency. During nonworking hours, inmates participate in community service, reparative activities, religious programs and recreation. Offenders achieve sobriety and adopt relapse prevention strategies to stop the recurrence of anti-social thoughts.
Offenders make decisions, for which they are accountable.
Offenders earn recognition for good conduct and improve their status by adhering to agency rules and regulations. The initiative, Buns Out of Bed, adopted in 1993, requires all general population inmates to participate full time in school, work and treatment. The following year it became state law and today, more than 98 percent of general population inmates are working full time. As for education, the majority of newly admitted inmates lack basic literacy skills. Of the offenders who have not completed high school two-thirds of all admissions half are functionally illiterate.