(BOP) - Michael Santos was a young man who made a terrible mistake and learned the hard lesson that life is not like the movies and actions have consequences. Today, he is a productive, law-abiding citizen-a university professor, prison consultant, motivational speaker, life coach, and an advocate for criminal justice reform. He also developed an online course titled, "Preparing for Success after Prison," which is now offered by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC).
While serving a 26-year sentence, Mr. Santos used his time in prison to transform his life for the better. He took advantage of Bureau of Prisons (BOP) reentry programming and enrolled in college courses. He earned his bachelor's and master's degree; and he became a prolific writer, publishing several books and articles about prison life and reform. Since his release in 2013, Santos has shared his story and insights with various audiences. During a recent American Correctional Association (ACA) conference, NIC Director (A) Dr. Alix McLearen, and Andre Matevousian, Regional Director (RD) of the North Central Region, noted Santos' inspiring presentation. As a result, RD Matevousian encouraged the Wardens in his region to welcome Santos into their institutions to share his empowering story about how reentry programming can transform lives.