A Structured Start
The first day of a PEP class is focused, intentional, and unlike any other experience inside a correctional facility. Participants enter with questions and expectations. Many have heard that PEP is different. From the start, that difference is clear.
Staff and volunteers greet participants by name. There are no titles, no formalities, only a shared commitment to growth and respect. The tone is serious but encouraging. This is a space where effort matters and where every participant is expected to show up fully.
Orientation and Expectations
Day one begins with an overview of the program structure. Participants are introduced to the Ten Driving Values that define PEP culture. These values, including innovation, accountability, and excellence, are not just discussed but put into practice from the beginning.
Expectations are clear. The curriculum is demanding, the timeline is fast, and the environment is built on accountability. Participation is not optional. Those in the room are expected to take ownership of their learning and their future.
Building the Learning Environment
Early activities are designed to establish trust and community. Participants are invited to reflect, share, and begin building relationships with peers and staff. The classroom is active, not passive. It operates more like a leadership seminar than a traditional educational setting.
By the end of the day, the tone has shifted. What started as uncertainty becomes engagement. Participants begin to understand what will be asked of them and what is possible if they commit to the process.
