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I've only been in a prison a handful of times and in the past, it has always made me nervous. This visit was no different at first. However, it was obvious within minutes that these inmates were different. Our NBC team of correspondent Don Teague, camera man Mike Heimbuch, and sound technician Dana Marxen spent an afternoon profiling a new prison program in Texas. The inmates were intelligent,
respectful, and hungry for someone to care about their desire to be better citizens when they got out.
Tonight's "Making a Difference" segment features a woman who left what some people call the good life: a job on Wall Street and making six figures before she was even 30 years old. But for Catherine Rohr,
something was missing. Catherine went on an overseas mission trip and when she returned felt empty doing the daily million-dollar deals. She knew she needed to make a career change, but would've never guessed she'd end up in of all places ... a Texas prison.
How she got to the prison is a long story, but the short version goes something like this: Catherine had a powerful rolodex of high profile CEOs and business people. She learned the largest most concentrated
pool of future criminals are in prison because between 60 to 70 percent go back. She recognized that top dope dealers and gang leaders have entreprenuerial skills...they understand profit and leadership. So, why not couple those ideas and try to redirect those skills to better use?
Catherine packed her bags for Texas and from scratch started an entrepreneurship program to teach criminals how to be successful business leaders when they get out of prison. She tasked her old CEO
friends with being mentors to the criminals in the program. The numbers speak for themselves. Since the program started three years ago, her recidivism rate is less than 5 percent -- a far cry from the national average.
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Things are Heating Up...
I work for Catherine and am proud to say that she is on my team. She is a great person with a lot of love. I hope that this story will inspire those who read it to not only praise Mrs. Rohr but to offer a hand in making a difference for those who desire that change in their life; and who are comitted to change.
Mario Soto (PEP Case Manager) Houston, Tx (Sent Jul 9, 2007 9:29:35 PM)
You can get more information on Catherine Rohr's program on their website at http://www.prisonentrepreneurship.org/.
Thank you for your interest.
Bethany Thomas (Sent Jul 9, 2007 4:22:45 PM)
Good story with good information.. I'm from California and we have big problems here with our prison system. Federal judge is watching and demanding changes or he'll take the system over. As a tax payer I've long felt we don't get a very good return on our tax dollars by just locking people up, instead of trying to rehabilitate them and give them the tools they need to succeed once they have served their sentence. Instead of focusing on punishment, I think we are better served by focusing on changing inmates by giving them the tools they need to be law abiding and successful in soceity.
Thanks again for all your efforts in this direction!!!
Diane, LA CA (Sent Jul 9, 2007 3:12:59 PM)
Thank you Catherine Rohn. I hope that your story inspires others to help inmates get back on the right track. There are many inmates that for whatever reason made bad choices but that does not mean they are dangeous and cannot be rehabilitated. Let's stop wasting tax payer dollars on our prison systems and invest the money instead to provide education and training for the many inmates that deserve a second chance. Are there any programs in Michigan of this nature?
L. Puisis
Laura Puisis, Muskegon Michigan (Sent Jul 9, 2007 2:05:52 PM)
Could someone please put me in touch with Catherine Rohr? I have been searching for someone like her to help me with job placement and I could really use her help. I have a 23yr old conviction thats hindering me and I have an Associates of Science, a BBA in Finance and am currently working on my Masters. Thank you VERRRRRY much.
James Sanchez (Sent Jul 8, 2007 4:39:33 PM)
I would like contact information on this story for the woman in Texas
(Sent Jul 8, 2007 1:21:40 AM)
Thank you, Nightly News, for the excellent 'Making A Difference' segment on Catherine Rohr's prison program!
She and her old CEO friends are doing something that offers hope and gives real opportunity to criminals - a chance to live a changed life.
J. Smith, Portland, OR (Sent Jul 7, 2007 11:02:56 AM)
What an encouraging story about a courageous woman! I've personally visited three prisons, inspired by my teenage son's experience in a county's dubious "corrections" system. While the building structures may be sound, the oppressive climate and blatant mistreatment of the average, incarcerated human is despicable.
Eva Quest, Anchorage, AK (Sent Jul 7, 2007 8:54:39 AM)
Good morning - I read this story with interest, as I am a prison volunteer (via the Kairos program - which boasts an impressively low recidivism rate). I've seen the potential that Catherine found within the walls, and am eager to provide an open ear to listen to the men. What is interesting is that all the men i've talked to are convinced of their own responsibilities that ultimately found them in prison. All they want is a chance to become productive, contributing, and viable members of the world at large. I applaud Ms. Rohr for her efforts, and NBC for having the courage to show positive stories. Thank you - Jim
Jim Hill , Baytown, TX (Sent Jul 7, 2007 8:38:31 AM)
Great Catherine Rohr!!! PTL! Sharing the Faith and placing tangible skills in these peoples hands is commendable! This could be a new ministry/outreach for Christians in Americans if they'd (we'd)be willing!
Just think what could be done in Women prisons! It is too intimidating for us who don't have your skill but gee, there may be something others can do..?
Anyway, great job! from a retired AF nurse.
Debra Strand Olympia WA (Sent Jul 7, 2007 3:00:01 AM)
This is a wonderful story. Miss Rohr gives me hope that selfless giving can make all the difference. At a time when my own faith in the inherent goodness of mankind has been steadly dwindling, the example Miss Rohr sets and the results she is getting by giving a damn and actually doing something real and concrete about it is a blessing to my soul and a shot of adrenline to my spirit. Thank you Miss Rohr and thank you NBC for making this story part of your newscast. Also, I am something of a news junkie and think NBC/MSNBC has the most interesting stories and reporters. You have my vote!
ken g, fredericksburg, va (Sent Jul 7, 2007 12:54:47 AM)
We saw the story tonight about Catherine Rohr and her program with the Inmates in the Texas prison. This touched our hearts, as we have a son who is incarcerated in another Texas prison.He was a school teacher and now he will no longer be able to continue in that profession. We are retired teachers/coaches and we were wondering if there is a need for people to start this program in other prisons.We have been looking for a way to help those inmates who so desire to change their lives and become productive citizens on their release. We did not know how to contact anyone to find out this information. We are Don and Patty Jones of Stephenville,Texas 76401; 254-965-3348
Cell:254-485-0446 we look forward to hearing from someone regarding this matter. God Bless Catherine in her work of truly making a difference!
pATTY AND DON JONES
Patty Jones - Stephenville, TX (Sent Jul 6, 2007 11:14:09 PM)
What an encouraging report! Thank you for sharing good news of at least one person making a difference. Great job!
(Sent Jul 6, 2007 10:14:59 PM)
You go Catherine! I am so proud of you, just being a part of the human race! I once made a very good living yet due to an illness I have been on Medicare for the last 4 1/2 years. The Neurologists said I would never get out of bed and never lead a normal life, whatever that may be. Well, here I am, typing no less and I give 10% of my monthly Medicare to causes I find that touch me. This would be one of them. Thank-you so very much, I can barely express my gratitude for your passion. I truly wish I could help.
Sincerely,
Vicki K. Luckman
Vicki K Luckman, Kirkland, Washington (Sent Jul 6, 2007 9:38:14 PM)
I was intrigued by the College in Prison program offered by Bard College and then saw this report this evening. How does one get involved in such a program? Do these kind of programs accept volunteers, etc? I'd like to do something similar with literature/arts in prison -- any suggestions would be appreciated.
(Sent Jul 6, 2007 8:02:41 PM)
Is it possible to have our email address forwarded to Ms. Rohr? Our son is a 17 yr excon - has not been in trouble since his release - and could use a mentor.
Linda Willavize, Battle Creek, Michigan (Sent Jul 6, 2007 7:27:20 PM)
Please, please, please. More stories like this one showing people making a real difference. How ironic that it was followed by the story on the extremely wealthy buying bigger and better jets. True concern vs true consumerism. Selflessness vs selfishness.
(Sent Jul 6, 2007 7:24:31 PM)
great story line. i've been in max and it is scary. cannibus charge locked up with murderers,pediphiles,rapist etc. but there are many in the system who can be productive, just given the chance. go girl
gerard ellers , lake placid, n.y. (Sent Jul 6, 2007 7:16:25 PM)
I think this is a wonderful program. We need more programs like this one in more prison around the country. I would like to contact Catherine about this program. Please forward my contact information to her ASAP. Thanks
Carla McAdory
(Sent Jul 6, 2007 7:07:30 PM)
Where in Texas is this?
(Sent Jul 6, 2007 7:06:41 PM)
How can I contact Catherine? I'm a freelance writer and author and would like to learn more about what she's doing.
David Dorsey (Sent Jul 6, 2007 7:06:09 PM)
A great story! Many prisoners are entrepreneurs who just need to use their skills constructively. I enjoyed this story.
M. Burton, Salem, VA (Sent Jul 6, 2007 7:00:40 PM)
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