FEBRUARY 2026 | 35 THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff. of future crimes and lost taxes from productive citizens.16 Beyond numbers, the human impact is compelling. Young men who once cycled through jails or struggled with addiction are now gainfully employed, present for their families and contributing to their communities. Over half of the participants become responsible family men, with 50% of current enrollees supporting a wife and children as they go through the program. This indicates the program’s ripple effect in breaking intergenerational cycles of incarceration, criminality and addiction. Children who might have lost their fathers to prison are instead growing up with them at home. Participants themselves attest to the life-changing effects: “I have learned to live, not just survive,” said one young father who went from addiction and crime to raising his daughter and holding a full-time job. Another graduate described it as “a blessing ... a great program to be in, as it has a lot of people who not only want to help but care for you and [help] you be a better person.” Such testimonials speak to more than surface-level improvements; they indicate profound shifts in mindset and identity. Men who once saw themselves as becoming lifelong criminals now see themselves as providers, mentors and productive citizens. As one program graduate reflected, “When you complete this program, you have more to lose than you’ve ever had in your whole entire life.” This poignant statement highlights the core of habilitation – these men have built a life worth protecting, filled with responsibilities and hope, where before there was little to lose.17 It is also notable that it was modeled after a successful diversion program for women (Tulsa’s Women in Recovery). It filled a critical gap for males. Each additional participant represents a potential life redirected from prison to productivity. For funders, scaling such a program means amplifying the impact: More families kept intact, younger people in the workforce and fewer future victims of crime. Given the program’s strong record of accomplishment, any investment in its expansion or replication is backed by evidence- based practices (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, peer support and vocational training are all proven recidivism reducers) and documented success.18 CONCLUSION: A CALL TO INVEST IN HABILITATIVE JUSTICE The experience shows that habilitative approaches in diversion programs can be transformative. When we treat young offenders not as lost causes to be punished but as individuals who, with guidance, can learn to thrive, the results are remarkable. They achieve what rehabilitation alone often cannot: a fundamental change in life’s trajectory. The difference is clear. Rehabilitation might give an offender a toolbox, but habilitation teaches him how to build an entirely new house for his future life. For participants, this means the difference between a revolving door in and out of prison and a one-way exit toward stability and success.19 From a funder’s perspective, supporting habilitation diversion programs is a high-impact investment. It yields measurable outcomes, like lower recidivism rates and cost savings, and immeasurable ones, like safer neighborhoods and brighter futures for families. Every success story, every young man who turns from crime to community, validates the approach and promises compounded benefits as he influences peers and future generations. By embracing habilitation in justice interventions, we shift resources from reacting to crime to preventing it through catching up on personal development. This proactive strategy not only changes lives one by one but also strengthens society as a whole. In summary, the efficacy and importance of habilitation approaches cannot be overstated. 1st Step exemplifies how comprehensive support, accountability and skill-building can turn at-risk youth and emerging adults into productive citizens. It is a model that deserves expansion and replication. As stakeholders and funders, investing in these programs is an investment in safer Throughout all phases, 1st Step provides a wraparound, holistic support system.
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