The saying “There’s an app for that” has echoed through our tech-driven world for years, but today, it’s artificial intelligence that is capturing the attention within tech. CoreCivic recently entered into a partnership with Spencer Cook—who was once incarcerated himself—to implement Cook's SoberIn40 app, which uses proprietary AI algorithms to help support incarcerated individuals who are seeking recovery from substance use.

This intensive, 40-day AI-powered program has already been piloted for about six months across 16 CoreCivic facilities in eight states. It operates under the Go Further Discovery platform, offering residents the opportunity to access the software in computer labs and classrooms at these facilities, with guidance from therapists. The program also provides a range of aftercare and follow-up resources.

Rodney Quinn, CoreCivic’s director of program development, explains how the AI interface was key to engaging residents of younger ages.

“Many of these individuals absorbed more from television and video games than from parents or teachers, so they’re naturally attracted to this technology,” Quinn explained. “The app uses visuals and wordplay to address emotional issues head-on. Participants watch short, two-minute micro-videos, then respond to targeted questions, and the app generates follow-up questions based on their answers.”

SoberIn40’s approach is to dig beneath the surface, exploring the emotional roots of addiction and tailoring each user’s experience accordingly. Cook, who developed the app with the help of software engineers, drew inspiration from his own research into behavioral psychology. His journey didn’t begin with the intention of building a program; he simply wanted to discover how to achieve sobriety for himself, something he hadn’t experienced since childhood.

“I just decided, for the first time in my life, I was going to be a law-abiding human being,” Cook said. “I knew I wanted to be sober, and I knew I wanted to live right.”

After serving around six and a half years in prison, Cook was released in 2020. He worked two jobs to bring his vision of SoberIn40 to life.

“When I got released, I had a pair of pants, a shirt and a few thousand pages of what I wrote, which became the SoberIn40 program,” he said.

Cook’s quest for sobriety began earlier, when in a moment of desperation, he asked a prison officer for alcohol while in confinement. The officer handed him a copy of the Alcoholics Anonymous manual instead. At first, Cook rejected it, tossing the book aside, but weeks later he picked it up—and never looked back.

“My gratitude to the prison system, most people can’t comprehend,” Cook said. “Most people are bitter about it, but to me, it saved my life.”

Through his work, Cook hopes to support the field of recovery by delivering more affordable outpatient care while providing clients with real-time, custom-tailored programming.

SoberIn40 is available for downloading on both Apple and Google app stores.