Prisons don’t always make it possible for people to learn in traditional settings, such as with classrooms and teachers, or even in the company of other students. During the first year of my sentence, I lived in solitary confinement. That experience convinced me to learn in non-traditional ways. I found enormous value in reading books.
By reading, I could absorb valuable lessons from extraordinary leaders. Anyone can do the same. In fact, I still learn from books. Since getting out, however, I learn from listening to books rather than from reading books.
Currently, I’m listening to powerful insights of Patrick Lencioni’s book, The Advantage. His concepts remind me with some of the fundamental principles I used to adjust in prison. I developed a framework that I called the Straight-A Guide to teach others how to architect strategies that can accelerate a person’s pathway to success, even when facing a crisis.
When I finish listening to the audiobook, I’ll write a book report. For now, I wanted to share what I heard on this morning’s run, and I want to relate it to developing a release plan.
Release Plan
Developing a release plan is a crucial step for anyone striving to transition successfully into a new chapter of life, especially after a period of incarceration. The earlier a person begins shaping their release plan, the more time and opportunity they have to build a comprehensive and actionable strategy.
A structured release plan should evolve as the individual advances, growing in detail and depth with each stage of the person’s development. If a person is constantly working, the person will develop new skills. If he uses those skills, he will build build authority. People will begin to believe in him as a force for good, and some will invest in his vision.
I began working on my release plan early, even before my judge sentenced me. I was still in solitary confinement when I read stories about Socrates, Frederick Douglass, and Viktor Frankl. Reading about those people changed the way I think.
Leaders helped me to develop principles and frameworks similar to those taught by Patrick Lencioni. By aligning small, strategic steps with a vision for the future, I could develop more confidence, and I could work toward the result I wanted once I got out. This approach helped me focus and find opportunities. It also contributed to me finding meaningful support, and to change the way that some people viewed me.
Values
During the chapters I listened to this morning, Lencioni spoke about defining values clearly. According to him, organizations—and by extension, individuals—should identify four types of values:
1. Core Values: Deeply ingrained, authentic principles guiding all decisions.
2. Permission-to-Play Values: Basic, universally expected standards for participation.
3. Aspirational Values: Desired values that one strives to embody.
4. Accidental Values: Unintentional behaviors developed spontaneously.
The first module of our 10-part course, the Straight-A Guide, focuses on identifying core values. For me, this process began by envisioning the kind of people I wanted to connect with in the future. Reflecting on those aspirations helped me examine the poor decisions that had led me to prison and consider strategies for making better choices moving forward. I realized that to rebuild my life and gain support after my release, I needed to focus on three key goals:
- Earning academic credentials,
- Making meaningful, measurable contributions to society,
- Establishing a strong support network.
To build a release plan, start thinking about the people you want to influence in the future.
- What seeds can you start sowing today that will influence the way they view you?
Reflecting on the values by which you’re going to live is especially important when building a mitigation strategy. Mitigation requires you to make intentional decisions, considering how others will view your commitment to change. By articulating your core values—the non-negotiable principles you genuinely live by—you clearly show judges, prosecutors, and probation officers your authentic commitment to positive growth and rehabilitation. You may also build relationships with people who can help you overcome.
For example, in building your mitigation narrative, explicitly defining your core values (such as integrity, accountability, and self-improvement) demonstrates who you genuinely are. Your clearly stated commitment to these values shows that you’re not simply making empty promises; these principles form the core of your daily actions and decisions.
Your mitigation strategy might also recognize permission-to-play values. For example, I intended to avoid breaking rules in prison. But there were times that I chose intentionally chose to violate rules. For example:
- Rules prohibit people from “running a business” from prison.
- Rules prohibit people from visiting with people they did not know prior to confinement.
It was never my intention to live as a “model inmate.” I intended to be successful when I walked out of prison. And I made decisions that aligned with such a value. I used my discretion, always focused on the influence my action would have on preparing for success.
Aspirational values, you may want to live as a community leader, pursue an education, or actively mentor others. They may strengthen your mitigation strategy, but you may have to live in an environment that discourages or obstructs progress. Despite those obstacles, build a release plan that shows your clear vision for personal growth and a commitment to future contributions to society. We built Prison Professors Talent for the specific purpose of helping people memorialize such efforts and preparations.
Finally, addressing any accidental values, like behaviors or decisions that led you astray unintentionally, shows maturity and reflective honesty. Identifying and correcting these accidental traits reassures the court that you’re consciously working to transform them into purposeful, positive behaviors.
Incorporating these distinctions into your mitigation strategy brings clarity and authenticity, exactly what decision-makers seek.
When I wrote The Straight-A Guide, I did not know about Lencioni’s principles. I don’t think they’re proprietary. Leaders have been relying upon principles to build business and lead intentional lives since the beginning of time. Socrates wrote about principles and values more than 2,000 years ago.
In building a mitigation strategy, follow this type of personal development and leadership, and you’ll go a long way toward advancing your efforts to succeed.
When you build your mitigation strategy on a clear foundation of authentic core values, you stand apart. You show decision-makers your sincere, structured plan for growth—just as I learned to do during my journey inside. Remember, genuine clarity about who you are, what you stand for, and how you will move forward can profoundly influence your pathway to success.
