Course
Prison Presentation
The Prison Presentation course recreates the in-person presentations Michael Santos delivers inside federal prisons. This course is designed for individuals who did not attend a live presentation. Facilitators may also use this course to supplement other programming. BOP staff members may request a DVD of the presentation. Please reach out.
The course introduces a practical framework for thinking long-term while incarcerated. Participants learn how self-directed preparation, personal accountability, and documented effort can influence outcomes over time, regardless of sentence length or eligibility for early release.
This course explains how people serving long sentences prepared for success by focusing on education, contribution, communication, and disciplined planning. It offers guidance on how to live as the CEO of your life.
What Participants Do
- •Watch the Prison Presentation video and review the transcript
- •Reflect on long-term goals, accountability, and preparation
- •Identify practical actions to begin living as the CEO of their life
What Staff Gain
- •A consistent, values-based message available on demand
- •A framework that reinforces self-direction and accountability
- •A course that supplements existing programming without adding administrative burden
Course Details
Learn how participants access the course, how to use it, and how staff can leverage this tool.
How Participants Access the Course
Participants may access this course through facility-provided access, staff facilitation, or distributed video materials...
How Participants Use This Course
Participants watch the presentation and work through the accompanying lesson...
How Staff Use This Course
Staff may use this course as an orientation tool, a standalone instructional resource...
Course Materials Included
This course includes recorded video presentations and an accompanying lesson plan...
Suggested Group Use
Facilities may use this course in group settings to introduce shared language...
Purpose of the Course
The Prison Presentation course exists to deliver a consistent, values-based message...
Self-Paced Learning
Course Modules
We designed the Prison Presentation course to support reflection and long-term thinking rather than linear completion. Participants may begin with any module and revisit lessons as their circumstances, goals, or perspective evolve.
Investing in Yourself
This lesson introduces the core idea that preparation must begin before laws change or opportunities emerge. Participants learn how individuals serving long sentences used education, discipline, and personal responsibility to position themselves for success long before release was possible.
Learning From Others
This lesson explores how people throughout history endured confinement, injustice, and hardship by focusing on growth and contribution. Participants learn how developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills can influence others and create long-term impact, even while incarcerated.
Becoming the CEO of Your Life
This lesson explains what it means to take ownership of decisions, priorities, and outcomes while incarcerated. Participants learn how to define success for themselves and build a plan based on accountability, action, and long-term thinking rather than waiting for the system to change.
Documenting Your Journey
This lesson introduces the importance of written records as tools for self-advocacy. Participants learn why documenting effort, growth, and preparation matters, and how consistent documentation can help others understand the work being done over time.
Sustaining Progress and Overcoming Obstacles
This lesson addresses common challenges such as discouragement, rejection, comparison, and setbacks. Participants learn strategies for staying focused, maintaining discipline, and continuing to prepare for success despite uncertainty or resistance.
Admissions and Orientation Presentation
This orientation module provides a concise introduction to the Prison Presentation course framework. Designed for individuals entering the correctional system or encountering the course for the first time, it establishes expectations for personal accountability and self-directed preparation from day one.
Using the Modules Together
Each module reinforces a consistent framework focused on accountability, preparation, and self-direction. When used together, the lessons encourage participants to think intentionally about daily decisions, long-term goals, and the actions they are taking while incarcerated.
Staff may reference individual modules as needed to support orientation, discussion, or supplemental programming. The course is designed to integrate smoothly with existing educational and reentry efforts without requiring additional tracking or administrative oversight.
Downloadable Materials
Resources and Downloads
This section provides downloadable materials that support participation in the Prison Presentations course. Resources may be used by individuals working independently or by staff facilitating programming, writing exercises, or reentry preparation.
For Facilitators
How to Teach or Facilitate Prison Presentation
The Prison Presentation course is designed to be flexible and adaptable across a wide range of correctional environments. Staff may choose how, when, and whether to incorporate the course based on institutional needs, population, and professional judgment. The course is instructional in nature and is intended to supplement, not replace, existing programming.
Common Ways Staff Use Prison Presentation
Orientation or Intake Support
Using the Prison Presentation as an early-stage orientation tool to introduce expectations around accountability, decision-making, and long-term thinking.
Program or Classroom Integration
Incorporating the video and accompanying lessons into education, reentry, or personal development programs as structured discussion or writing activities.
Guided Reflection
Assigning specific lessons or reflection prompts to support goal setting, decision-making exercises, or discussions about personal responsibility and preparation.
Reentry Preparation
Encouraging participants to use the course concepts to think ahead about transition, documentation, and building a record that reflects preparation and accountability.
Facilitation Options
Individual Use
Participants watch the presentation and complete lessons independently at their own pace. No group discussion or facilitation is required.
Small Group Use
Lessons or reflection prompts may be introduced in small group settings, with optional discussion or written reflection, depending on staff preference.
Classroom or Program Use
The Prison Presentation may be incorporated into scheduled programming as a recurring instructional or writing activity. Lessons may be revisited as needed.
There is no required sequence or completion timeline. Staff may select individual lessons or use the course in its entirety based on program goals and participant readiness.
Time and Structure
Prison Presentation is intentionally open-ended. Staff may choose how to introduce and use the course based on institutional needs, population, and professional judgment. The course does not require a fixed sequence or completion timeline. Staff may:
- Introduce the Prison Presentation in a single session
- Use individual lessons periodically over weeks or months
- Refer participants back to specific lessons as needed
Short, consistent engagement is often more effective than infrequent, intensive use.
Role of Staff
We do not expect staff to evaluate writing quality, beliefs, or viewpoints. The primary role of staff, if they choose to engage with the course, is to:
- Encourage consistency and follow-through
- Provide structure and clarity
- Reinforce accountability and goal setting
- Use professional judgment when referencing lesson participation or documentation
The Prison Presentation course is designed to complement existing responsibilities rather than add new reporting or oversight requirements.
Important Notes
- •Participation in the Prison Presentation course is voluntary unless incorporated into a specific program.
- •The course does not replace institutional records, assessments, or required documentation.
- •Staff discretion governs how and when the course is introduced or referenced.
- •Participant documentation associated with Prison Professors is publicly accessible online.
- •Participants may choose to develop documentation under a pseudonym or anonymously if they prefer not to use their name online.
Questions or Comments?
We welcome your feedback and questions about the Prison Presentation course. Whether you're looking to implement this in your facility or have suggestions for improvement, we'd love to hear from you.
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