Measurable Impact
Arizona
RTH is actively serving on behalf of a solar energy company as a liaison with the Arizona Department of Corrections to employ selected state inmates in the assembly and in some cases installation of solar energy systems in schools and government buildings. RTH will provide motivational training and supervision of inmates, and will insure that qualified inmates receive additional educational training and earnings to be placed into savings for use upon their release.
Don and selected volunteers make appearances at state prisons and county jails throughout the state, and teach classes to inmates as well as officers and staff on how to improve attitudes and behavior skills, thus creating safer working and living conditions by reducing violations and incidents of violence.
Don speaks at various civic, public, corporate and government events and gatherings as part of his overall program of raising awareness of the need for better understanding and respect on both sides of the “walls” so that inmates come back into their communities with a better sense of belonging there and being responsible for their actions.
Washington
Don has spoken on numerous occasions to large groups of inmates at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, and was the keynote speaker at last year’s Washington Correctional Association Annual Criminal Justice Forum. He has proposed a 90-day Pilot Project to the Secretary of Corrections to conduct a series of inspirational talks and followup workshops that is intended to lead to a year-long series of talks and workshops to all Washington State correctional facilities.
Return To Honor and Don Kirchner's Story
A Video Clip from Channel 12 News in Phoenix, with a Corrections officer who experienced a significant reduction in violence and conflicts within the inmate community and between inmates and guards when the book, "A Mattter of Time" and classes on material used in the Return To Honor Program were used in her unit.
Winnable Game Program - Scott Degraffenreid
Everyone deserves a winnable game. Without hope, everyone loses. With over two million people incarcerated in America, and a recidivism rate of 70% to 80%, it is clear that its correctional system isn't working...even for those who are determined to redeem themselves and make positive changes in their lives. Return To Honor conducts workshops and talks inside and outside of prisons and jails, and publishes motivational books and training materials that teach more effective ways to change attitudes and behavior on both sides of the walls.