Missouri Prison Transformation Project // College of Health Sciences

The Missouri Prison Transformation Project (MPTP) seeks to improve the quality of life and well-being of those living in, working in, and recently released from prison. MPTP is a 5-year long, randomized controlled trial (RCT) that is making changes at four Missouri prisons to improve conditions for both staff and residents. MPTP is informed by past collaboration between Mizzou and the Missouri Department of Corrections, as well as international best practices in corrections.

MPTP is funded by Arnold Ventures.

Project Design

A building with pillars represents the Missouri Prison Tranformation Project. At the base is "Normalcy. Humanistic. Dynamic security." The four pillars holding up the project are "Training & Communication," "Physical Environment," "Self Improvement," and "Community Connection."

MPTP is designed around three core concepts:

Normalization: life inside the prison should be as similar as possible to life outside the prison

Humanistic psychology: emphasis on empathy, the whole person, and individuality

Dynamic Security: safety is built through rapport building and a focus on rehabilitation

MPTP has four pillars of transformation:

Training and Communication: Staff working on the MPTP units will receive training on empathetic communication, humanizing language, and professional rapport building.

Physical Environment: MPTP wings will be changed to feel more like a home environment and less institutional. Changes include more privacy; quieter and calmer wings; more pleasant visual appeal through new paint and better lighting; and more areas for communal visits and recreation, including a kitchen space and increased access to the outdoors.

Self-Improvement: MPTP residents will have a range of opportunities to build skills for successful daily living and post-prison community integration. Opportunities include budgeting and meal planning, continued access to formal education and prison jobs, professional skill building, and continued access to therapy and other supports.

Community Connection: Shared spaces and responsibilities will support community-building on the MPTP wing. MPTP residents will also work to build connections with community outside of prison to help prepare them for release.

Project Impact

It is possible MPTP will improve the overall culture and climate of the units where it takes place. To understand the impact of MPTP, researchers will: