Think Tanks: Creation and Development
This page includes a collection of resources related to the establishment and development of think tanks. Think Tanks are groups of Inside-Out alumni (both incarcerated and non-incarcerated) and/or trained faculty who meet regularly on a volunteer basis at a correctional facility. Think Tanks operate with the Inside-Out model, which facilitates continued learning via community building across social difference. Think Tanks develop their own projects, which may include leadership development, re-entry programs, training Inside-Out faculty, or community workshops on topics such as restorative justice, conflict resolution, and racial inequality. To view the current list of think tanks in operation around the world, be sure to visit the Think Tank page on our website.
Get Help With Your Think Tank Questions
To set up a time to discuss the initial or further development of your think tank, please contact: lori.pompa@temple.edu
Australia
Australia Women's Think Tank
Dame Phillis Frost Center / RMIT University – Melbourne
Australia Men's Think Tank
Marngoneet Correctional Centre / RMIT University – Melbourne
Mexico
Mexico Think Tank
Reclusorio Metropolitano / Guadalajara, Jalisco
United Kingdom
Low Newton Tanket
HM Prison – Low Newton / Durham University
Frankland Think Tank
HM Prison – Frankland / Durham University
Alabama
Restorative Justice for Alabama
Limestone Correctional Facility / University of North Alabama
Arizona
Arizona Transformation Project Think Tank
Arizona State Prison Complex – Florence / Arizona State University
California
California Think Tank
California Rehabilitation Center – Norco / Pitzer College
Georgia
Big Bang Theory Group
Floyd County Prison in Rome, GA / Berry College
Illinois
Inside-Out Visionaries / Project X / My Life Matters Project / Restoration Collaboration Project
Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, IL / DePaul University
Law and Politics Think Tank
Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, IL / DePaul University
Indiana
New Leaf New Life Think Tank / Monroe County Jail Think Tank / Advancing Education Think Tank
Monroe County Jail in Bloomington, IN / Indiana University - Bloomington
Maryland
Maryland Positive Change Think Tank
Jessup Correctional Institution / Towson University
Massachusetts
Elm Street Think Tanks
Franklin County House of Correction in Greenfield, MA / Greenfield Community College
—There are separate think tanks for the medium and minimum security facilities.
Michigan
Michigan Theory Group
Macomb Correctional Facility in Macomb, MI / University of Michigan
Ohio
People for Change Think Tank
Toledo Correctional Facility / University of Toledo
—Archived versions of The Lantern Newsletter can be found HERE.
The Pantheon of Critical Criminologist Think Tank (T-POCC)
Southeastern Correctional Complex-Lancaster / Ohio State University
—View the T-POCC manual HERE.
Oregon
A.C.E. (Another Chance at Education) Think Tank
Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem, OR / University of Oregon
Pennsylvania
New Destiny Think Tank
State Correctional Institution at Albion / Gannon University – Mercyhurst University
Phoenix Think Tank (formerly Graterford Think Tank)
The State Correctional Institution at Collegeville, PA / Temple University
Tennessee
S.A.L.T. (Schools for Alternative Learning and Transformation) Think Tank
Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, TN / American Baptist College
West Virginia
United Circle 4 H.O.P.E. Think Tank
United States Penitentiary at Hazelton / West Virginia University
We Are Voices United Think Tank
Federal Correctional Institution at Hazelton – Secure Female Facility / West Virginia University
Hazelton Men's Think Tank
Federal Correctional Institution at Hazelton – Secure Male Facility / West Virginia University