Talks at Universities
Michael Santos visits universities nationwide to share powerful insights from his 26-year journey through the federal prison system. His presentations emphasize resilience, criminal justice reform, personal accountability, and the transformative power of education. Students and faculty learn about steps we can take to improve outcomes for people who go through America’s criminal justice system.
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Empowering the next generation of change-makers
Inspiring Students to Lead with Purpose and Impact
Michael Santos brings real-world lessons into university classrooms, sharing powerful stories from his 26-year journey through prison and successful reentry into society. His presentations encourage students to reflect deeply on choices, consequences, resilience, and the transformative power of education.
By challenging students to think critically about personal accountability, social impact, and justice reform, Michael equips them to become thoughtful leaders and advocates. Participants leave his talks inspired, empowered, and ready to make a positive difference in their communities.
Universities where we’ve spoken
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Today, Michael dedicates his life to helping others overcome challenges. He shares insights through his Accountability Log, Daily Blog, and stories of the influences who shaped his journey.
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50+
Prisons we've visited to make in-person presentations. We don't only teach and inspire, we lead train-the-trainer seminars to promote peer-to-peer learning and improve the culture of confinement.
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1,000+
People in custody taking initiative to build profiles on the Prison Professors Talent platform. They're memorializing steps to prepare for success as law-abiding, contributing citizens.
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1,100+
Jails and prisons that offer our lessons, courses, and books to teach and inspire people. In our self-directed courses, people learn how to accelerate pathways to success upon release.
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900K+
People in custody with daily access to Prison Professors lessons, courses, and books through our collaboration with the Edovo Foundation and direct partnership with government agencies.
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Principles we teach
The origins of our self-directed courses began with readings of Socrates, Frederick Douglass, Nelson Mandela, and modern leaders who teach us how to live as if we're the CEO of our life. To overcome any crisis, or build solutions, follow the principles of our Straight-AÂ Guide.
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Who we serve
We offer resources that people who are going through a crisis or challenge can use to recalibrate. It's never too early or too late to begin building pathways to a better outcome. Each individual can build a body of work that opens opportunities for the next phase, empowering them to live meaningful, contributing lives.
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Incarcerated Learners
Get access to our lessons, books, or self-directed courses. Regardless of what staff do, you grow.
Correctional Facilities
Improve the culture of your facility, inspiring people to learn. Be the change you want to see.
Lawyers & Law Firms
Offering resources to help people develop assets for self-advocacy, building mitigation stories.
Family, Friends, & Community
Download daily lessons to inspire people in custody. Help them build self-confidence and prepare.
On behalf of our institution, I write to extend my sincerest appreciation for taking the time to visit and present to our staff and population. We’re looking forward to implementing the program.
In my capacity as a warden, and as a regional director, I invited Michael Santos to visit our institutions. His programs have had a positive impact in our facilities.
Talks Archive
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Presentation at UC Berkeley
In this talk at UC Berkeley, I shared my story of serving 26 years in federal prison and the powerful lessons I learned from influential leaders like Socrates and Nelson Mandela. I encouraged students to think critically about personal accountability, resilience, and justice reform, inviting them to join a movement advocating for systemic changes that empower people to earn freedom through their own merit, actions, and growth.
Management Training Corporation
Management Training Corporation is a respected government contractor specializing in various sectors, including the operation of private correctional facilities. The founder and CEO invited me to tour three Texas facilities under MTC’s management and subsequently speak at their corporate headquarters in Utah, addressing several hundred employees. When delivering presentations to private companies, I emphasize our shared human experiences. While my personal challenges involved decades in prison, the core lessons I learned are universal. These insights—drawn from studying influential leaders—focus on overcoming adversity, maintaining resilience, and consistently delivering results. I encourage teams to adopt strategies that enhance personal accountability and performance, aligning closely with corporate goals of continuous improvement and excellence.
Texas Prisons, Part 1
I’ve visited more than 50 prisons across the United States, from high-security federal penitentiaries to minimum-security camps, always focused on helping individuals see the clear connection between their daily decisions inside and their prospects for success upon release. During these visits, I share practical strategies and lessons that empowered me through 26 years in prison—lessons rooted in accountability, education, and personal development. Through direct interaction, I strive to inspire hope, reinforcing the message that every day in prison presents an opportunity to recalibrate and rebuild a life of meaning and contribution. These in-person experiences complement our extensive library of self-directed courses, books, and videos, reinforcing the essential message that preparation and personal responsibility lead to better outcomes.
Texas Prisons, Part 2
At the invitation of Management Training Corporation, I toured three different prisons in Texas, where I had the opportunity to speak with hundreds of people serving sentences and engage directly with the correctional staff responsible for their care and rehabilitation. In each facility, I emphasized the importance of proactive planning and deliberate action, demonstrating how strategies like documenting progress through Prison Professors Talent can significantly enhance an individual’s opportunities for success upon release. By sharing personal stories and practical advice drawn from my own journey and from the mentors who inspired me, these visits provided tangible examples of how prisons can foster cultures of accountability, resilience, and achievement, improving outcomes for incarcerated people, staff, and the broader community.
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Take action
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