The United States of America
Mass incarceration affects every community in America. As someone who experienced multiple decades, I see myself as an ambassador for the powerful lessons I learned from influential leaders like Socrates, Frederick Douglass, and Nelson Mandela. Their wisdom inspires my mission to help improve outcomes—not just for people directly affected by the justice system, but also for society as a whole. Together, we can advocate for reforms, empower individuals, and create meaningful change nationwide.
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Making an impact
Improving outcomes for Millions of people
The United States incarcerates more people per capita than any other nation. Yet the longer we expose people to corrections, the less likely they are to succeed upon release.
We strive to lower intergenertaional recidivism rates by providing free, self-directed resources to help people use their time inside to prepare for success upon release.
Our courses teach, inspire, and prepare individuals for meaningful income opportunities and job readiness. We strive to bring changes that will incentivize a pursuit of excellence, empowering people to earn freedom through their own merit.
Join our movement by following us on social media and help drive policy changes that restore hope, dignity, and lasting success.
be the change
Softwhite Underbelly
Mark Laita is a renowned photojournalist who created the impactful platform Soft White Underbelly. With a dedicated audience of over 10 million followers across YouTube and other channels, Mark provides a compelling space for individuals to share their stories of struggle and resilience. I was honored when he invited me to participate.
When I visited Mark’s studio in Santa Monica, I was accompanied by my friend Matt Bowyer. Matt is well-known for extensive media coverage portraying him as one of America's largest bookmakers. His notoriety intensified following a widely publicized scandal involving baseball star Shohei Ohtani, his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, and prominent Las Vegas casino executives. Mark initially intended to profile Matt, and through that connection, I had the chance to share my own story.
In the studio, Mark initially suggested I discuss experiences related to large-scale drug trafficking. However, I explained that my narrative was different. My journey was more about the process of recalibrating and rebuilding after profound adversity. Prison provided the backdrop, but the essence of my story was deeply human, highlighting strategies taught by influential mentors. Mark usually conducts interviews by asking questions, but he suggested I might tell my story uninterrupted. So, I sat down and spoke unscripted for an hour.
Million Stories
The Singleton Foundation sponsors numerous programs aimed at teaching financial literacy to underserved populations. One such initiative is the FacePlant series, which highlights inspiring stories of individuals who've faced significant adversity but discovered pathways to rebuild and transform their lives. I was honored when they approached me to feature my journey.
People entering the justice system often feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. They need to know their current crisis doesn't have to dictate their life's trajectory. Every individual has the power to make strategic decisions during difficult times that can lead to positive outcomes. To share my experience, the FacePlant producers visited my home and created a high-quality video interview. In it, they explored the pivotal choices and mindset shifts that allowed me to move beyond the daunting challenge of a 45-year prison sentence.
Influential leaders guided me to adopt new ways of thinking, enabling me to recalibrate my perspective and rebuild my life from the inside out. These transformative lessons carried me through 26 years of incarceration and laid the groundwork for establishing multiple income streams after my release.
We are all navigating our personal journeys toward new chapters in our lives. By preparing proactively and thoughtfully, we position ourselves to seize emerging opportunities. That's precisely the message I aimed to convey through my story in this brief but powerful video.
PBS NewsHour
After delivering a keynote presentation at a business conference in California, I was approached by producers from PBS NewsHour. They expressed interest in having me create a presentation for their program, and I eagerly agreed. To make it happen, we needed to coordinate with a correctional facility that utilized our work. I reached out to leaders I had connected with in San Francisco, seeking their assistance in introducing me to the appropriate authorities who could grant PBS NewsHour permission to film inside a jail or prison during my presentation.
At the time, I was also serving as an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University and collaborating with Berkeley. The local NBC News station also expressed interest in filming. These efforts underscored the importance of preparation and persistence in overcoming challenges. The resulting media attention amplified our message about the critical need for prison reform, helping to spread awareness on a broader scale.
Through this work, we continue to emphasize that the efforts we make today plant the seeds for meaningful community improvement—impacting lives not just in the present, but for years and decades to come.
Silicon Valley
During the early years of my prison sentence, I made it a priority to connect with influential penologists whose work could guide my adjustment. In the “Founder” section of our website, I share how these leaders shaped my journey. One pivotal connection was with Joan Petersilia, whose research at Harvard caught my attention. I reached out to her, and we began a meaningful correspondence. Over the years, I kept her informed about my progress as I navigated through my sentence.
Joan’s career evolved as she moved from the Rand Corporation to UC Irvine, and later to Stanford Law School. Toward the end of my sentence, she extended an incredible opportunity—an invitation to work with her at Stanford and contribute a chapter to a book she co-authored with Kevin Reitz, a professor at the University of Minnesota Law School.
These connections opened doors I couldn’t have imagined. After my release, I had the honor of presenting at Stanford University and Stanford Law School multiple times. Through these experiences, I met many influential leaders in Silicon Valley, which eventually led to an invitation to speak at a prestigious Silicon Valley conference. These relationships were transformative, shaping both my work and the opportunities that followed.
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People Going inside
Our nonprofit provides essential resources and guidance for people entering the justice system, empowering them to recalibrate, rebuild, and advocate effectively for themselves.
We offer a clear roadmap and practical mitigation strategies that anyone can use to begin preparing immediately for success. Our books, courses, and lessons guide them toward the highest level of liberty at the earliest possible time.
CORRECTIONal staff
We support correctional staff through customized training programs and engaging in-person presentations designed to improve the culture within correctional facilities. Our resources help staff build skills to foster safer, more productive environments, ultimately leading to better outcomes for both staff and the people in their care.
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organizations
We deliver keynote presentations at universities, companies, and other organizations nationwide, emphasizing that no matter the challenges faced today, pathways exist to recalibrate, rebuild, and thrive.
Drawing from lessons that guided Michael Santos through 26 years in prison, our talks empower audiences with actionable strategies and inspire groups to achieve their highest potential, regardless of circumstances.
FAmily & friends
We support family members and friends who want to help their loved ones in prison plant seeds for a successful future. Our books and courses offer self-directed lessons designed to inspire and empower, accessible from anywhere. Loved ones can easily order our books from Amazon, download our lessons in PDF format to include in letters, or request scholarships for us to order books that Amazon will send.
Together, we can create pathways to help more people learn how to help themselves. It’s one way we can be the change we want to see.
Defense Attorneys
When clients hire a defense attorney, they seek the best possible response to a criminal charge—but they also need guidance on managing collateral consequences related to sentencing and incarceration. Our nonprofit provides free, accessible resources that defense attorneys can share directly with their clients.
Members of our community learn to build mitigation strategies for every stage. We offer these services at no charge to the law firm, and without charge to the individuals who become a part of our community.
MEDIA & social Influencers
We collaborate with journalists, podcasters, and media organizations interested in providing insightful, authentic reporting about the criminal justice system.
Michael Santos shares lessons from 26 years of incarceration, offering unique perspectives on prison reform, reentry strategies, and resilience. Our nonprofit is committed to transparency, accuracy, and meaningful dialogue, providing reliable expertise and compelling stories to enrich public understanding and spark meaningful discussions about improving outcomes for individuals and society.
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Take action
with us.
