Lifer's Outreach: Teaching Others to Teach Others

Over my years in prison, I have been afforded the opportunity to access resources that have enabled tremendous personal growth. Through self-help groups and college programs, I have gained knowledge that I now use in service to others, giving back what I have freely received.

I have spent these years living out my amends to society, my victims, and myself by dedicating my life to service. Over the past 16 years, I have developed a comprehensive set of skills, tools, and curriculum that helped me gain insight into who I was at the time of my offense and enabled me to transform into the man I am today.

I began teaching this curriculum to share knowledge that helps others change and become productive members of society upon their release. After working with the prison system for many years to secure space, they provided me the opportunity to teach on a larger scale. I now facilitate weekly sessions and have assembled a team of like-minded individuals who volunteer their time to be trained in the curriculum so they can serve the prison population on their journey of transformation.

Together, we facilitate a weekly group called Lifer's Outreach. Our curriculum addresses a comprehensive range of topics including cognitive behavioral change, substance abuse recovery, anger management, communication skills, relationship development, domestic violence awareness, relapse prevention, goal setting, emotional intelligence, empathy development, family relationships, criminal thinking patterns, and personal insight exercises that help participants understand how their past influences their present behavior.

Lifer's Outreach's mission is to reach the prison community by teaching others to teach others—passing on the knowledge of change that has been freely given to us. We hope to extend our reach to the broader community, offering this knowledge to anyone seeking transformation.

Every meaningful journey requires a team effort. I want to express my gratitude to my dedicated team members pictured with me: Raymond Galbreath, Oscar Holmes, Josie Herrera, and Ms. Olivarez.

Steven Farlow

Sgt at Arms, MOVTT