Changing Lives Through Literature (CLTL) is a bibliotherapy program that offers alternative probation sentences to offenders.
A longitudinal study by Jarjoura & Krumholz (1998) found favorable results, with lower rates of recidivism than those in a comparison, non-program group.
[3] Liberal and conservative penal systems throughout the U.S., including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia, have embraced the program.
CLTL was brought to Manchester, England as part of the "Stories Connect" program run by the Writers in Prison Network.
Potential participants, including juveniles and adults, must demonstrate basic literacy, equivalent to the reading level of eighth grade,[9] and the desire to improve their lives.
"At the heart of the Changing Lives philosophy is the notion that literature, one of the great common denominators of the human experience, has the power to affect our thoughts and behavior...we can recognize ourselves and others in the characters of great books, and in so doing gain much-needed understanding about who we are and who we want to be—in our most private thoughts and in the relationships and actions that link us to others.
"[10] In 2000, British writer Mary Stephenson modeled her "Stories Connect" group in UK prisons after CLTL.
Senator Sam Brownback said "the library merits commendation for its Changing Lives Through Literature program, which has dramatically reduced the recidivism rate among probationary teens."
Additional guidance is coordinated with oversight by New Bedford Chief of Police – Joseph C. Cordeiro, who continues the "CITY OF ONE" mission in this community collaboration.
Sample texts used in the CLTL program include books tailored for segregated men and women's classes.