Leaders from PHOENIX RISING Transitions (PRT), a member institution dedicated to developing leaders coming out of incarceration and working to smooth their transition back into society, told powerful stories about how the work of MACG has transformed their lives.

Gary Salathe, Christian Ray, Brian Davis, Keith Wiggins, Brad Davis, Jason Fleming, Steve Parr, and Musa Olsen talked about how MACG leadership institutes inside Columbia River Correctional Institute gave them hope that they could be not just productive members of society, but also leaders. Each of the PRT leaders wore a number across their chest at the assembly with the total dollar amount PRT has saved the State of Oregon for other services by providing the support and mentoring that helps their members stay out of prison.

PRT leaders challenged people from other MACG institutions to join them in expanding the number of mentors who work with people coming out prison so we can not only save lives but also divert millions of dollars from incarceration into schools and other vital services by reducing recidivism.