The following are ideas that can help create a more positive environment for those in correctional facilities.

• Alternatives to Violence. Offer Alternatives to Violence programs.
• Community Interaction. Let local community residents live in the prison (for a fee) and volunteer to assist with the needs of the facility and inmates. Although possibly working full-time during the weekdays. Some interaction would be possible in the evenings and on weekends. This way non-prisoners can live with and influence those in prison.
• Dance. Provide space for a dance group such as Dances of Universal Peace.
• Faith. Provide religious services that meet a variety of religious and philosophical viewpoints. Offer alternatives for non-religious people who may want inspiration from non-religious sources.
• Gardening. Let inmates maintain a garden that produces flowers and fresh food for their use.
• Groups. Establish groups such as a job club, incarcerated vets, AA, etc.
• Music. Allow people in the community to donate musical instruments that inmates will have access to. Allow volunteers to teach music. Have a choral group. Allow musicians from the community to come in and perform.
• Nature. Provide a ‘yard’ for walks that is modified to be more like a park or garden.
• Sports. Provide equipment for sports teams such as baseball, basketball, football, etc.
• Writing. Offer writing groups.

Many of the programs listed above are provided at the Iowa Medical & Classification Center (IMCC) north of Coralville, Iowa.