PHILIDELPHIA, PA – Matthew L. Harris, Vice President of Sales, The Redemption Project (TRP) announced today the launch of ground-breaking study that addresses the volatile issue facing our country – the problem of mass incarceration. “The Redemption Project is committed to challenging the “school-to-prison pipeline,” a disturbing national trend where children are funnelled out of public schools and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Many of these children have learning disabilities or histories of poverty, abuse, or neglect, and would benefit from additional educational and counselling services” said Harris.
The Redemption Project (TRP) is a multi-dimensional organization that creates opportunities for individuals to transform their lives by fostering behavioral changes that promote personal responsibility, environmental stewardship, cultural competency and positive contributions to society.
“The goal is to provide a comprehensive solution to K-12 schools, juvenile detention centers, state correctional institutions and other societal stakeholders for improving behavior outcomes, reducing recidivism and unemployment while empowering program participants to make sustainable healthy changes in their personal lives” said Harris.
The Redemption Project Research Study (TRPRS) includes a dedicated group of physicians, psychologists, nutritionists, educators, and trainers that are examining and addressing the conditions that contribute to the inmate re-incarceration, challenge with education, skills development and transition support services for imprisoned men and women throughout the State of Pa.
Our research partners, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center will conduct a controlled study to examine the relationship between nutrition, health and anti-social behavior utilizing the inmate population while offering program consultation, research design, best practices, standards and performance monitoring. This research project will run approximately 3-5 years in length, during which time, TRPRS will test the effects of a whole food plant based diet on behavioral and overall health changes among inmates enrolled in the Pennsylvania State Prison System (approx. 2000 inmates).
Our team proposes an integrated program (including a plant-based diet) that examines the physical and psychological status of select participants, introduce them to the Redemption Project principles and practices and measure their performance according to agreed- upon outcomes, such as behavior up until release, health status and post- release employment. These results will not only improve the lives of participants and the inmate population at each facility, but will also have profound implications on recidivism, the community and society.
Currently, 11 school districts (114 schools) and over 250 juvenile facilities have committed letters of support and interest to The Redemption Project! TRP firmly believe in this proactive approach and our unique curriculum- based program.
