PrisonFit Small Business Basics

Course Overview:  The foundation of the PrisonFit Inmate Transformation Program, Small Business Basics launched in 2019 as a class of 14 students, 7-14 week course designed to provide inmate students with a working knowledge of a wide variety of areas required to launch and operate a small business.  The course primarily relies on video instruction from the main instructors and related business experts, which is supplemented by workbooks, supplemental reading guides, and local unit facilitators. 

Key Student Learning:  The course educates participants on a number of small business topics including mindset, business concept, incorporation, operations, budgeting, marketing, sales, funding, and more.  Participants must complete 12 homework assignments, write their business concept, create a survey, give a sales pitch, and pass 3 written tests in order to graduate.

Student Deliverable:  At the end of the session, graduates of the Small Business Basics course have developed and refined a business idea/concept, created a rough framework/outline as a basis to write a business plan, designed a research survey, and conducted a 5 minute business pitch to the class.

Course Results:

- 1,491 inmate students graduated

- 90.3% completion rate

- Average score of 88.9%

- 6-12 month enrollment wait list

- 4.7% recidivism rate for graduates from 2022 to 2024

Course Overview:  Launched in mid-2025, Business Plan Creation is a class of 8 students, 8-week course available to inmate graduates of Small Business Basics.  The course utilizes the foundation assignments completed in Small Business Basics, then adds in-depth instruction on translating those concepts and ideas into a complete business plan.

Key Student Learning:  Course participants receive detailed information via workbooks and video instruction on how to develop, what to include, and how to write each of seven business plan sections:  Executive Overview, Company Overview, Business Description, Market Analysis, Operating Plan, Marketing and Sales Plan, and Financial Plan.  Students receive feedback via local inmate facilitators, course main instructors, and assigned SCORE mentors. 

Student Deliverable:  Students complete and graduate the Business Plan Creation course by typing and submitting a seven section comprehensive business plan for their small business idea.

Course Results:

- 227 inmate students graduated

- 92.5% completion rate

- 88.4% graduation rate 

Course Overview:  Using student survey feedback and results, the PrisonFit Level-up Business Workshop comprises a series of quarterly 2-3 hour sessions designed to provide a deep dive on a requested small business topics.  Covering areas such as Instagram, AI for Small Business, and Non-Profits, each workshop features industry experts and an opportunity for direct Q&A.

Key Student Learning:  Through live, interactive video sessions accompanied by extensive collateral material, workshop participants receive in-depth knowledge and practical guidelines from subject matter expert individuals and organizations to improve their small business success.

Student Deliverable:  Workshop participants are required to complete an assignment and/or test in order to graduate the workshop.

Course Results:

- A total of 818 inmates have completed and received certification in Instagram, Non-Profits, and/or AI for Small Business since the programs inception.

Currently under development, the PrisonFit Workforce Development Centers initiative features two, on-prison unit facilities: one for women (approximately 4,000SF) and one for men (approximately 6,000SF), with a capacity of 50 men and 30 women. Unlike other in-prison work facilities, the training, programming, and employment at these two operations will reflect all components of a complete business in a real-world work environment, and offer training in 17 various jobs in these areas:

• Accounting
• Production
• Logistics
• Content
• Graphic Design
• Video Editing
• Sales
• Marketing
• Packaging and Fulfillment

Workforce development center participants will train and work in all of the work areas, be involved in work skills seminars conducted by leading outside organizations, participate in evening community college classes, and experience a work environment and compensation/incentive program that reflects real-world employment conditions. This is lacking in many other in-prison work programs, and will be a significant factor in empowering PrisonFit Workforce Development Centers program participants to succeed once released.

The final and most complex level of the PrisonFit Employment Campus initiative, which is being developed to provide an integrated, comprehensive facility where participants, having completed the PrisonFit Workforce Development Center in-prison program and following release, can reside, work, and learn in a safe, comfortable, and secure environment. It is the objective of this level to provide free housing for a maximum of two years, complimentary meals to residents three times per day, constant educational opportunities, employment based in real-world products and positions, and support services required for personal and professional growth. During their stay, residents are able to work 6 hours per day at a PF Holdings company operation located on-site, and keep all wages paid them.

The proposed facility houses 100 men and 35 women on a 6 acre campus, with an on-property 16,000 square foot office/manufacturing building for employment as well as other amenities such as classrooms, pool, fitness center, small business resource center, telehealth, food service, and more. The program’s goal is to reduce homelessness, unemployment, and recidivism by providing workforce development and training, secure employment, personal services in an environment that encourages support, change, and success in their transition from prison to the community.

If you are interested in learning more about or getting involved in the PrisonFit incarcerated programs and initiatives currently available or being planned for the future, please visit our Contact Us page, or email us at info@prisonfitlife.com.