January 27, 2026: Tuesday

FCC Coleman

4:40 AM Update

Today I want to acknowledge something extraordinary taking place at the Federal Correctional Complex in Coleman.

Earlier, I received a message from Damond Talbot, who oversees Reentry Affairs for the entire complex, including USP Coleman 1, USP Coleman 2, FCI Coleman, Coleman Camp. It is the largest federal prison complex in the nation. Mr. Talbot’s message shared exciting and encouraging news.

He wrote about the extraordinary progress that people who serving sentences inside USP 2 were actively participating in our program. They were taking initiative, signing others up, running Prison Professors classes, and doing what they were able to help people participate, even if they did not have access. To quote him, he wrote:

• “Pen 2 is absolutely crushing it. These guys are bought in.”

I am grateful for the leadership from Mr. Talbot and his team. They are doing God’s work, guiding people who live in environments that don’t offer much hope.

I’m grateful Mr. Talbot and other BOP staff members. They are promoting the message that it’s never too early, or too late, to begin preparing for success after prison. Their support builds hope, helping people realize that they can live as if they are the CEO of their life–making incremental progress each day.

I’m equally grateful to the participants at Coleman who are actively participating in the self-directed programs we send. They are reading, writing, documenting, teaching others, and maintaining a positive adjustment. They are building a record that reflects discipline and responsibility.

Anyone can view the Leaderboard by facility. When a visitor selects Coleman, they see more than 1,200 participants actively engaged. Those numbers show effort and consistency. They show what’s possible when people take ownership of their journey.

In February, I will give a live demonstration of our platform to leadership staff at the Bureau of Prisons. I intend to highlight FCC Coleman during that presentation. I want decision-makers to see that people who engage in self-directed preparation are more likely to avoid disciplinary issues and more likely to leave prison with a realistic plan for success. The data we collect is part of our advocacy campaign for:

• More pathways to earn freedom through merit.
• Policy changes that incentivize the pursuit of excellence.
• Opportunities for people to work toward the highest level of liberty, at the soonest possible time.

We believe these kinds of programs, and the success at FCC Coleman, can improve the culture of confinement. Today, our team is sending additional books to FCC Coleman, including materials for people without email access. Anyone willing to begin a self-directed pathway to prepare for success upon release should have access to Prison Professors courses.

I will write separately to encourage the people FCC Coleman. They are part of a movement we’re building. We want to see reforms that will encourage more people to build extraordinary and compelling adjustment strategies. It’s one way we can be the change we want to see in the world.