Captain Your Story classes credited with behavior changes inside prisons; organizers seek continued RFA funding

Representatives of My Story Matters and corrections officials briefed the subcommittee on a program called Captain Your Story and a staff curriculum called Level Up. The group said one‑time funds provided last year enabled expansion from volunteer delivery to a larger, consistently scheduled program and training for corrections staff.

Amy Chandler, representing My Story Matters, said last year’s appropriation expanded classes from about five volunteer sessions a week to 37 classes weekly across state facilities. She said program administrators report 450 residents have completed the course and about 250 more were enrolled. Chandler said BYU conducted a third‑party analysis showing participants reported improved problem‑solving skills, emotional regulation and pro‑social behavior; corrections supervisors reported fewer behavioral incidents and improved work performance among participants.

Josh Penrod, a guide and program partner, said 67 participants have reentered the community since the RFA expansion; two returned to custody on outstanding warrants rather than new criminal conduct. Penrod and Chandler told legislators the program is generating interest from county jails and corrections leadership asked for more classroom capacity, staff training and expansion into lower‑programmed housing units.

Program leaders sought ongoing funding to continue current classes, to extend programming into county jails where state inmates are housed, and to expand family‑focused curricula for children and caregivers. Committee members who visited the prisons praised the program’s effects and said they want staff to provide materials to other legislators. Program leaders asked the committee for continued RFA funding to sustain momentum and scale pilot work into county jails.