How do you dream about the future when you’re facing life in prison?

Chris Wilson was eighteen years old when he was sentenced to spend the rest of his natural life in prison. But what felt like the end of his story was just the beginning. His best-selling memoir about that transformative time of his life, The Master Plan, has touched the lives of millions of readers across the country.

The Chris Wilson Foundation is now offering a 15-week program based on this book to further support justice-impacted individuals during and after the difficult time of incarceration.

The Master Plan book

Chris was released from prison with the help of his “Master Plan,” a list of goals he had accomplished and ones he was still determined to achieve. His Master Plan directly led to his own early release from prison, and has become a guiding model for others’ successful reentry into society.

You can learn more about and purchase The Master Plan book here

the master plan program

The Master Plan Program leads participants through 14 units of original content, designed with evidence-based and trauma-informed models, and through the leadership of those with lived experience in the system.

The goal of the program is to promote resilience and autonomy in the incarcerated individual and to strengthen the life skills of those who are planning for reentry.

The Master Plan Program is offered to youth, ages 10-17, who are in detention or high-risk for justice-involvement, as well as adults who are held in correctional institutions or are involved in probation, parole or reentry programs.

Three Parts of the program lead students through a process of understanding how stories and systems shape our understanding of ourselves and how we can challenge these deficit narratives as empowered agents of change.

The Master Plan Discussion Model was created in partnership with The Restorative Center. The Discussion Group is led by two credible messenger facilitators, both formerly-incarcerated, with lived experienced in the system. These paired facilitators lead a 15-week trauma-informed discussion groups with students of the Master Plan, creating a sense of community, accountability and trust among students.

Learn more about our evidence-based models here.

  • “I would like to commend the program’s structure, it is what a lot of marginalized people need: just to talk to someone or one another about their life’s experiences and not be judged and in a safe environment to vent their traumatic experiences.”

    Student in the program, MD

  • “This is a much needed program. Everyone, home and incarcerated should take this class.”

    Student of the program, MD

  • [The Master Plan] is easily the most impactful book I’ve read all year. I couldn’t help but feel inspired to want to do more to help others, to support returning citizens and to be more educated on these systems of oppression that keep being ignored and justified…

    MB Hyland

  • What I learned from The Master Plan is that anything is possible with determination, and you cannot allow your current situation to define the rest of your life.

    A.R., Student of The Master Plan

  • Chris taught me how to cooperate with people and my own self...how to build my mind and how to maintain and stay with a goal I have set to become a better person.

    B.B., Student of The Master Plan

  • Hi Chris Wilson - just got done reading The Master Plan. It’s one of the best books i have ever read, really inspirational for black men like myself tryna find their way in the world. Thank you.

    JB Hopkins

  • I had hit a low point in my life when I heard about [The master plan]. I have read many self-help books and attended many seminars, but this book has had the greatest impact. I created my master plan and charted it on a poster board in my room. I just want Chris to know what a difference he has made on my life.

    Zaneta

Breakdown of the Program and Costs

Each cohort of the Master Plan accommodates 8-15 participants engaging in weekly discussion group sessions lasting two hours over 15 weeks. Participants receive copies of Chris Wilson's memoir, The Master Plan: My Journey from Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose as well as The Master Plan Workbook to aid in their journey, which they complete outside of group sessions. Sessions are guided by the CWF’s restorative justice and discussion model, facilitated by two credible messengers who are formerly incarcerated and have successfully transformed their lives, serving as inspiration and role models for participants. The comprehensive program is priced at $2,000 per student for cohorts of 8 participants, with the total fee remaining fixed at $16,000 for larger cohorts of up to 15 participants. 


For cohorts in Maryland, New Jersey, and New York we offer in-person facilitation. Alternatively, we provide virtual facilitation options accessible in all 50 states. We welcome discussions about modifying the program format based on individual facility needs and can offer consultation on grant options to support participation in the Master Plan Program.  For further details and to obtain our inquiry form, please contact us at info@chriswilsonfoundation.com.