PrisonProfessors Information

Prison Professors is a nonprofit dedicated to improving outcomes of America's prison system. Our founder, Michael Santos, transformed 26 years in federal prison into a journey of growth and preparation. Guided by lessons from leaders like Socrates, Nelson Mandela, and Viktor Frankl, he built a tri-part strategy that anchored every day inside: educate yourself, contribute to society, and build a strong support network. That strategy is the foundation of everything we do. We create and distribute self-directed courses, books, and resources that help justice-impacted people prepare for success—regardless of past decisions or present circumstances. Through programs like "Preparing for Success after Prison," offered in the Federal Bureau of Prisons and state systems, we teach critical thinking, values-based decision-making, and the discipline to work toward a meaningful life beyond a sentence. We believe people must learn how to help themselves. Our mission is to change a system built around punishment into one that creates clear pathways for people to earn freedom through merit—so they return to their families and communities as law-abiding, contributing citizens, with their dignity intact. Everything we publish is free. We're a non-revenue-generating organization, striving to help people who want to help themselves, and to show voters, legislators, and administrators that we can do better. Learn more, access free resources, or partner with us: prisonprofessors.org