Nonprofit speaks on creating ‘culture change’ inside maximum security prisons

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Second Mountain held a two-day leadership conference highlighting culture change inside maximum security prisons at Jefferson City Correctional Center.

Second Mountain is a nonprofit based out of Kansas City that focuses on creating culture change inside of prisons.

The prison leadership conference on Aug. 26 and Aug. 27 was an invitation-only event that brought together approximately 100 leaders from outside the faculty alongside 100 residents and staff members of JCCC to show firsthand the culture change happening inside the prison.

Bo Cornelius, executive director of Second Mountain, started the program with his wife after his release from prison three years ago. Cornelius said that programs don't help people, but that people help people.

"Programs don't help people. People help people. There are a lot of people in prison with real lived experiences. And through sharing their real lived experiences, I can get better," Cornelius said.

Justin Davidson, chief of custody at the prison, said events like these can help change the culture inside of prison for the better.

"It involves where staff and residents come together and understand that there doesn't have to be a negative always. That allows them both to realize that they're humans, " Davidson said.

James Dunn, a resident at the correctional center, said during the past few years, with more programs, the prison has become more of a community.

"Staff and offenders, more human, human contact. They still do their job. We still live our lives. You know, they work here. We live here. But it doesn't have to be, animosity about the situation, " Dunn said.

Inside the correctional center, residents can work towards change. The honors dorms bring together residents who have chosen to pursue growth and success.