A prison civics education program with proven results

$4 are saved for every $1 spent on education programs*

*Data above from "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Correctional Education" accessed at: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR266.html


Making inroads with inmates before they get out:

  • Seven + years of direct onsite education and formation
  • More than 500 inmates studying civics, ethics, literature, and economics
  • Evidence-based programming: Zero disciplinary reports among 80% of the inmates who completed all four courses (facility report provided by the Florida Department of Corrections)
  • 100 + inmates are on our waiting lists 
  • Decline in prison violence leading to safer environments for security personnel 
  • Reduction of boredom and intellectual stagnation
  • Sensible preparation of inmates reentering society
BB.Web.Quote.Fnl 06-18-21.jpg

Tracking reentry impact in South Florida and beyond:

  • Saving taxpayers over $2.1 million dollars
  • Longer sentence inmates (15-20 years) reentering society are having positive community impact
  • Former inmates are successfully employed in transportation, manufacturing, facility maintenance, landscaping, automotive, and non-profit outreach 
  • Creating safer neighborhoods through continuous contact with program graduates
BB.Photo.ElmoGolden.Web.New 08-04-21.jpg

Elmo Golden

  • Time served: 17 years

  • Now working for a non-profit

BB.Photo.MancitoTelfort.Web.New 08-04-21.jpg

Mancito Telfort

  • Time served: 12 years

  • Now working in the entertainment industry

BB.Photo.KevinNelms.Web.New 08-04-21.jpg

Kevin Nelms

  • Time served: 35 years

  • Now working in the landscaping industry

BB.Photo.PaulEBanks.Web.New 08-04-21.jpg

Paul Ebanks

  • Time served: 13 years

  • Now working in the automotive industry

BB.Photo.BenVolpe.Web.New 08-04-21.jpg

Ben Volpe

  • Time served: 14 years

  • Now working for a manufacturer

BB.Photo.PhilipPatterson.Web.New 08-04-21.jpg

Philip Patterson

  • Time served: 10 years

  • Now working in construction

BB.Photo.RubenBrown.Web.New 08-04-21.jpg

Ruben Brown

  • Time served: 24 years

  • Now working in transportation

BB.Photo.PaulBlackshear.Web.New 08-04-21.jpg

Paul Blackshear

  • Time served: 26 years

  • Now working in facility maintenance


Fall 2022: New College Program Launched at South Bay Correctional

  • 20 incarcerated students selected for accredited courses through Huntington Junior College 
  • Once approved, course credits will be eligible for transfer to any college and count toward a degree
  • We are working to expand the program to offer inmates associates degrees that will improve prison culture and expand opportunities for released inmates

Bending Bars Logo Landscape 1.1.png

Your donation educates and prepares inmates for successful reentry into society and a life of true freedom.


T H A N K Y O U T O O U R S P O N S O R S


P R O F E S S I O N A L M E M B E R S H I P S