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Background:

Each year, approximately 600,000 people are released from state and federal prisons, and an estimated 9.6 million when local jails are included. Justice-impacted individuals face barriers to employment contributing to poverty, housing insecurity, and recidivism. As the incarcerated population ages, resistance training may offer benefits including improved muscular strength, reduced depression, and decreased pain.

Homeboy Industries, a social enterprise in East Los Angeles, empowers former gang members through employment, community, and healing. Despite strong reentry services at Homeboy Industries and similar organization, there are currently no known gyms specifically designed for justice-impacted individuals and limited research in this area.

Objectives:

The objectives of this initiative are to (1) create a space for trauma-informed strength development and healing, (2) develop a multimedia strategy to engage stakeholders and generate revenue while amplifying program visibility, elevating participant voices and experiences, and supporting long-term sustainability, and (3) publish a book that explains movement, strength training, and programming in a simple, science-based way that reflects Homeboy’s values, including strength through kindness.

Design:

This initiative is an implementation project between the Homeboy Industries leadership team and the Tyson Foundation to develop a new health and wellness space for justice-impacted individuals. After identifying an appropriate location, the facility was constructed and officially launched on February 1, offering classes for Breath and Balance, Functional Fitness, Strongperson, Yoga, and Coaches Development. A qualitative survey was created to evaluate participant experience and impact. To support multimedia engagement, a movement library featuring instructional exercise videos was made. In addition, a book is in development that explores the Homeboy philosophy of movement, the importance of training, foundational exercise science, and movement patterns.

Impact/Effectiveness:

Since launch, 85 trainees have enrolled and have collectively attended 820 class sessions. The highest participation has been in Strongperson, which serves as an office hours/open gym format that promotes consistent engagement and community building. According to the head coach, Coaches Development and Breath and Balance have demonstrated particularly strong impact in participant growth and involvement. Qualitative survey data collection is ongoing to further assess further assess participant experience and program outcomes. In addition, the gym’s strength training book remains in development, with plans for publication later this year.

Lessons Learned:

One lesson was the importance of recognizing trainees as a stigmatized population and taking the time to build rapport and trust. This project also highlighted the vlaue of patience, flexibility, and clear communication within a team and a large organization. Lastly, the experience reinforced that multidisciplinary collaboration offers substantial opportunities for shared learning and growth.

Summary:

In summary, this implementation project at Homeboy industries created a wellness space for justice-impacted individuals centered on strength development through healing. Next steps include (1) publication of the strength training book, (2) completion of qualitative survey data collection, (3) and continued enhancement of the gym space. The key best practice is maintaining a consistent presence to build trust, sustain engagement, and strengthen relationships with current and future trainees as well as the organization.

Keywords: mass incarceration, aging population, strength training