Promoting positive transformation in one's mental health is essential to successful criminal rehabilitation. However, engaging resources to protect or promote mental wellness is not exclusive to those with criminal backgrounds—most people find the benefits offered by therapeutic mental health programming to be helpful, whether it is through an individual or group setting.

On August 6, 11 residents at CoreCivic's Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility in Tutwiler, Mississippi, graduated from the 12-week Mental Health Focused Reentry Program, which is designed to equip returning citizens with coping and behavioral skills necessary to becoming productive, stable men to both their family and community upon reentry.

Facilitated by Dr. Nanetta Payne, a psychologist at Tallahatchie, residents shared in a group setting their hopes and dreams—as well as their past mistakes. The program emphasizes sobriety and how negative emotions can be a trigger for relapse, making control over and awareness of their emotions–both negative and positive–even more critical to reducing their likelihood of dependance on substances that lead to criminal behavior.

Congratulations to these 11 residents who have taken this brave step toward a better future for themselves and their families!