Criminon Success Stories

Success from our new The Way To Happiness online course available inside the jail on tablets:

I admit I didn’t know what to expect when I first signed up for The Way to Happiness course. I was a little skeptical since it was an online program [on DC DOC tablets] but I can honestly say I am very glad I took the class. The videos were especially thought provoking and I found myself looking back at my own life and the choices I have made. Maybe it was because I am incarcerated and my senses have become so dulled just staring at these walls all day, but the sights, sounds, and the energy of the outside world seemed to come alive and speak to me. I came to appreciate and identify with the actors in the videos. The course really helped me realize that there is an amazing community out there and it holds endless possibilities. There is a more rewarding and better way to live. For me, in the future I plan to live my life by thinking about my actions through the eyes of my family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers on the street. What would they say or think about my actions and behavior? I know I will feel better about myself and live a happier life if I don’t always think of myself first and focus on those around me. This isn’t always easy: human nature is often only focused on our own wants and interests. But as I saw in the videos and in my own life, a selfish way of life without empathy can be a lonely and destructive way to live. Society is ultimately good and my actions play an important role.

The course put a lot of things in perspective for me and motivated me to want to do better with my future opportunities in life. And I don’t mean only when I am released. Jail is a terrible place and I never want to come back. Yet sadly, many of us do come back and there are many challenges after we are released. However, I truly believe if I stay focused on the lessons and values taught in the course, I will never come back and live a more rewarding, productive life. Putting my family and community first and not taking things for granted is how I plan to live my life. I have a choice and can choose what I do next and how I do it. This course helped me visualize actually doing it and showed me that happiness is possible. Thank you for accepting me in the course and giving me this opportunity.

— From DC DOC Criminon DC Tablet WTH Student B.R.

I’ve learned about myself and the mistakes I made.

I started, when I was 17, smoking PCP, buying guns to protect myself, stealing cars and selling them, all to stay high. I lost my family because of PCP. I lost my mind because of the drug and alcohol I’ve abused.

Now I’m 38 and my mind is gone.

But I’m changing now, thanks to Criminon. I now see what drugs do to you.

Now my life is healthy and strong. I am receiving help and my family stood by me because of the changes I made in my life thanks to Criminon.

S.B. – Washington, DC DOC Central Detention Facility

Why I benefit from Criminon:

I get a different way of looking at life. Through this class I’ve come to an understanding that I’m responsible for my actions. I play a part in any situation I put myself in. Through Criminon I’ve learned that I have to care for the next person.

Life is made of my experience and how I figure through them will show who I am. I care more and learned to love myself more. Today life is beautiful ’cause of the way I look at it now. I love the power I receive through Criminon. Power is knowledge.

R.J. – Washington, DC DOC Central Detention Facility

I’m recently serving time in DC Jail, and I got introduced to Criminon one year ago. Since then I have learned so much from this class. I have learned how to control my attitude in different circumstances.

I always was not a friendly person because of the street life I was living prior to this. This class helped me to be open in a classroom and learn from the teacher and everybody’s point of view.

So all together, I have learned to be more humble, to be open-minded, to listen more, to stop using drugs, and to live life in here and on the outside more safely and productively.

Thank you to Criminon and to my teacher.

B.T. – Washington, DC, DOC Central Detention Facility

A WIN from a Criminon New Life DC Graduate

My motive for writing you is to express my gratitude for your warm moments you all spend with us. Your time spent with us has helped me a lot in my life, because I am a different person in the way I think now than I used to be before – all because of your bringing the course to the Chapel – “The Way to Happiness”.

I also sent a copy of the booklet to my eldest daughter and it also had a great influence in her life. On page 19 it says to “honor and help your parents” and whenever I call home and ask about her my wife will say to me how much of a help she is to her – all because of the copy of the “Way to Happiness”.

I can’t find the words to say how grateful I am to all of you because at the moment I thought my life was all over I got hope because of the certificate and what I was able to accomplish from the course. I presented it to the judge and because of it I was able to get eight years and not life.

I am taking some time to say a special thank you to all of you and many the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and keep you and make his face shine upon you.

Criminon New Life DC Graduate – Washington, DC Central Detention Facility

My name is L.J, and when I first started Criminon my life was chaotic.

Although I sought happiness, it was hard because some of my thinking and actions were immoral. The environment here (inside DC Jail) wasn’t the best, but by my attending Criminon. I began to gain a better moral standing and view of life.

The precepts of Criminon are applicable in everyday life. We all have an obligation to apply these precepts if we choose to be happy.

It has been an honor to participate in Criminon, and I will continue to apply these precepts on my way to happiness. Thank you.

L.J. – Washington, DC, DOC Central Detention Facility

Criminon has definitely left a lasting impression for me. I joined the course while the class was beginning the 17th chapter (Be Competent) of the literature book, The Way to Happiness, a Common Sense Guide to Better Living. This book is definitely a must read. The book is informative and will totally change your thought process; motivating you to be determined to incorporate these golden rules and virtues in your daily life.

For me this class has nourished my soul and overall being. It not only teaches you to love self, respect self and care for your body/flesh, it teaches you to nourish your soul & become beautiful internally. Every chapter is amazing; and honestly, if one retains and practices these virtues and golden rules, they can not only learn to be happy & save their own soul, but can educate others with the knowledge they learned and help others to flourish and prosper and be happy.

We all want happiness (I would hope); unfortunately, not everyone knows how to achieve it! However, I can guarantee that if you read this amazing, life-changing book, happiness will be ‘knocking’ at your door.

L.T. – Female Unit of the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program at Washington, DC Correctional Treatment Facility

The Criminon instructors are a valuable asset to those inmates that attend Criminon, specifically me. I have attended 2 sessions so far and have gained a lot of character enlightenment from discussions and movies. I believe as the classes continue and I take more and more that I will become a better person. This class, especially the way [it is] structured to be taught, builds morals and principles.

T.E. – Female Unit of the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program in the Washington, DC Central Detention Facility

I would just like to acknowledge that I went to court with a Letter of Participation in the Criminon Program. The judge was truly impressed and said that she was going to look into making it mandatory for inmates to complete the program.

Furthermore, I witnessed to the fact that I have benefited tremendously from Criminon. I affirmed that I gained absolute appreciate for self-worth, self-happiness, self-honesty and family orientation. Being as though my charges are solely based on drinking and alcohol abuse, The Way to Happiness Course has made me realize that I cannot achieve happiness or joy or prosper with an addiction.

Criminon is awesome.

K.A. – Female Unit of the Washington, DC Correctional Treatment Facility

The Truth About Drugs course has worked wonders for me. The course was so thoroughly informative that I now know why I’ve suffered from so many DUI’s by way of alcohol abuse. There is no way that I will ever drink it any more, knowing that the long-term effects have definitely taken a toll on me and my way of thinking. It’s never too late to remap or reroute my journey in life and that’s the most important thing I’ve learned from The Truth About Drugs.

I now realize that marijuana was my gateway drug that lead to me smoking crack cocaine.

W. L. S. – Female Unit of the Washington, DC Correctional Treatment Facility

I’ve learned the way to deal with things in life and how to start leading a more happy life.

K.B. – Female Unit of the Washington, DC Correctional Treatment Facility

As a result of my participation in the Criminon Program, I have learned exactly how and what I am doing to my body, my mind and my soul behind alcohol abuse. Criminon has also inspired me to be productive and to seek prosperity.

Lastly, I have learned that the only way to true-blue happiness and success is to love myself first and treat others the way I want to be treated. Drugs and alcohol do not bring any form of fulfillment and Criminon has taught me this as well.

I am going to be the best I can be. God bless you, and thank you Criminon.

K.A. – Female Unit of the Washington, DC Correctional Treatment Facility

What I learned: To live my life productive, to practice and teach my children morals and to obey all laws. To live righteous and to never give up and always reach for your goals.

M.H. – Female Unit of the Washington, DC Correctional Treatment Facility

This is to let you know that this Criminon class is a way for me to change my life. To know that I went on for years putting poison in my body. I know that today I have a goal of wanting to change. I can actually look back at my past and laugh.

I’ve learned that there are ways that I can deal with problems on a positive note. My bad behavior is not going to weigh me down any more. It is starting with changing my people, places and things that I do. This class has shown me the highs and lows of staying on top of my life.

I can use the booklet in my everyday life.

C. B. – Female Unit of the Washington, DC Correctional Treatment Facility

In Criminon, I’ve learned not to be a criminal and to be happy in my new beginning and change.

K.B. – Female Unit of the Washington, DC Correctional Treatment Facility