Cook County Jail

California's San Quentin prison is undergoing significant reform through the California Model, initiated by Governor Gavin Newsom to foster rehabilitation instead of punishment, inspired by Scandinavian practices. The approach emphasizes job training, substance use treatment, and improving social interactions between inmates and staff. Meanwhile, Cook County Jail has been implementing a successful program aimed at helping inmates change their thinking and prepare for reintegration into society, with over 2,700 participants since its inception in 2014. This program focuses on mental health support and cognitive therapy to address the underlying issues that lead to incarceration. In Australia, a new community service initiative called the Reef Revolution is helping low-security prisoners acquire skills in conservation, aiming to facilitate their transition to employment while restoring ecosystems vital to the Great Barrier Reef. These diverse efforts highlight a growing recognition of the need for rehabilitation-focused programs in the prison system across different regions.