Prison Impacts

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension is helping people in prison prepare for release and be more effective parents.

70+

Incarcerated Triple P facilitators trained by Extension in Arizona – experience and skills they can use after release.

1,000+

Incarcerated parents learned better strategies and coping skills from Triple P classes.

12%

of Triple P graduates return to custody one year after release vs. 29% in Arizona’s general state prison population.

How We Help


The Positive Parenting Program (Triple P)

The Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) is a series of eight classes that give caregivers simple, effective strategies – based on more than 35 years of ongoing research – to build healthy relationships that positively impact children. Extension staff adapted Triple P for prisons, opening a new door to personal and professional development for incarcerated instructors and improved parenting for graduates. Arizona is the only place in the world where incarcerated people are accredited to teach Triple P classes. For more information, contact Debbie Curley.

Down to Earth Dads

Down to Earth Dads is a Cooperative Extension gardening program at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson. The program uses gardening as an analogy for parenting, teaching incarcerated parents to nurture plants as they would children – and to take those skills with them after release.

Video to learn more

Explore all the programs we have that help Arizona Families Thrive

Life & Health Programs