Earning Points

At Prison Professors, we built our profile system to help people memorialize their hard work while preparing for success after prison. This system documents progress, offering evidence that shows all the efforts a person has made to work toward earning higher levels of liberty at the soonest time. 

With every update to a profile, members show that they are taking steps toward their preparation for success.

Now, thanks to the work of our tech team, every contribution to a profile earns points. These points represent proof of progress—and they are central to the way we advocate for reform. For a sample, look at the new dashboards and leaderboards on Prison Professors:

• Prison Professors Impact
• Prison Professors Leaderboard

How the Point System Works

• Individual Points
  Every time someone updates their biography, journal, book report, release plan, or receives a testimonial, they earn points:
  
  
  
  • Less than 300 words = 1 point
    
    
  • 300 words or more = 2 points
    
    
• Tribe Points
  When someone recruits another person to build a profile, that new member becomes part of their “tribe.” Whenever a recruit earns points, those same points cascade upward to the recruiter—and to everyone above them. This builds influence and shows the impact you’re making on others.
  
  
• 30-Day Leaderboard
  Each month, we highlight who has been the most active over the last 30 days. This way, even newcomers or people without a large tribe can rise to the top by working hard and documenting progress.
  
  

Why Points Matter

We are in active discussions with the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), urging them to open more opportunities for people to earn freedom through merit. Our argument is simple: progress should be measurable.

In theory, the BOP could use a points system like ours as a way to track growth, encourage excellence, and reward merit. The more points someone earns, the more evidence they have of preparing for success.

That’s why every profile update matters. Points aren’t just for recognition—they are the foundation for reform.

What Families Can Do

If you’re a family member, you can play an important role:

• Encourage your loved one to update their profile regularly.
  
  
• Remind them that every journal entry, book report, or release plan update earns points.
  
  
• Support them in building a circle of influence by recruiting others, which grows their tribe points.
  
  

This work is not only about personal development—it’s about creating data we can show to policymakers, wardens, and stakeholders.

Inspiring Action

Right now, I’m on the East Coast, preparing for important meetings with the Bureau of Prisons. I’ll also be presenting at the prisons in Hazelton and Morgantown. In every conversation, I will highlight how people in our community are demonstrating growth, documenting progress, and building influence.

Every point you earn strengthens our advocacy. Every tribe you build expands our reach. Together, we can push for a system that rewards preparation, merit, and commitment to success.

Take Action Today

• Update your biography, journal, book reports, or release plan.
  
  
• Recruit others to build profiles and strengthen your tribe.
  
  
• Show up on the leaderboards—proof that you are serious about preparing for success.
  
  

Together, we are building a record that no one can ignore.

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