Innovative Reentry
Program Overview
Launched in Spring 2023, Reimagining Myself® (RM) is part of RTA’s reentry programming in New York State medium-security correctional facilities. The program supports social and emotional growth for individuals preparing for release after extended periods of incarceration.
RM was developed with the guidance of formerly incarcerated individuals, ensuring the curriculum reflects lived experience and is shaped by the specific needs of those preparing to return to their communities.
Since its launch, RM has expanded in two key ways. RTA developed a women’s version of the program, now also implemented within New York State correctional facilities. In parallel, the original program for men has expanded beyond New York, with implementation now taking place in Delaware at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution and in California at the Sierra Conservation Center.
Using arts-based, experiential learning, RM engages participants in exploring key reentry themes such as reconnecting with family, navigating stigma, letting go of the prison mindset, and adjusting to life in the community.
Program Outcomes
Findings from the Reimagining Myself® 2023 Evaluation Report highlight the program’s impact in strengthening social and emotional literacy and supporting reentry preparation.
By the end of the program, participants reported:
- Increased confidence in preparing for job interviews
- Greater ability to manage conflict in healthy ways
- Improved awareness of emotions and behavioral patterns
- Expanded tools for processing thoughts and feelings
- Stronger creative problem-solving skills.
Participants also reflected on reentry as an ongoing process, recognizing that preparation does not end with the workshop. Many noted that while the program increased their confidence and readiness, it also helped them understand the long-term nature of adjustment after release.
Program Design & Approach
Reimagining Myself® was developed by RTA staff with extensive experience in carceral settings and is delivered by trained facilitators using a comprehensive curriculum supported by guides, training materials, and structured facilitation practices.
The program runs over 10 weeks and includes 20 sessions held twice a week. Each session is scaffolded to build trust and engagement over time, combining guided discussion, creative writing, and arts-based exercises that support reflection and skill-building.
Participants receive a workbook designed to extend learning beyond the classroom. It includes artwork, prompts, and reflections contributed by justice-impacted individuals, ensuring the material is grounded in lived experience.
A defining feature of RM® is its use of narrative film and storytelling. Professionally produced films and short videos are integrated into sessions to support discussion and help participants reflect on real-life reentry scenarios in a structured, supportive environment.
The program also includes lived experience video content featuring formerly incarcerated individuals sharing their perspectives on reentry. These voices bring additional depth to the curriculum, helping participants connect more directly to shared experiences and possibilities for change.
Together, these elements create a learning environment that centers reflection, dialogue, and practical preparation for reentry.
Here are some of the topics our sessions cover:
- Emotions
- Healthy
- Communication
- Reconnecting with Others
- Stigma and Rejection
- Stress Management & Self Care
- Substance Use
- Parole
- Adjusting to the World
- Employment
- Who Am I?
Voices of change
Listen to participant testimonials. For more information about the Reimagining Myself® Program, contact us at reimagine@rta-arts.org.