The mission

The mission

The Twinning Project partners with some of the nation’s most recognized sporting teams and brands, harnessing their influence, expertise, and community connections to drive meaningful change. Professional coaches and staff from leading organizations bring credibility and inspiration into correctional facilities, engaging individuals who may resist traditional programs. By leveraging the power of sport and the trust these brands hold in local communities, the project creates opportunities to improve physical and mental well-being, build life skills, and support successful reintegration. Together, sports and corrections collaborate to strengthen lives and communities across the country.

The project

The aim is to engage incarcerated individuals across U.S. prisons and correctional facilities in sport-based programs designed to improve mental and physical health, enhance overall well-being, and provide that strengthens life opportunities upon release. Professional coaches and staff from leading sports organizations, supported by correctional facility officers, co-deliver training and skills-based certifications to better prepare participants for positive reintegration after release.

State of play

‍As of 2025, the U.S. criminal justice system confines nearly 2 million people across state and federal prisons, local jails, and juvenile facilities. Many are serving time in corrections or detention settings and, aside from a small minority, the vast majority will eventually return to live in our communities. This reality highlights why investing in rehabilitation, education, skills development, and well-being programs during incarceration is essential, helping individuals reintegrate with purpose, reducing recidivism, and strengthening the safety and health of our nation.

Education and activity

In the United States, research shows that nearly 40% of incarcerated individuals lack a high school diploma, and many have experienced school exclusion or disrupted education before custody. On release, the majority face barriers to employment, with studies indicating that more than 60% remain unemployed one year after leaving prison. Despite these challenges, incarcerated people are often reluctant to participate in traditional educational or vocational training programs offered in correctional facilities. At the same time, many report being largely inactive prior to custody, yet once incarcerated they engage in one to two physical activity sessions per week. The Twinning Project USA aims to build on this entry point, using the power of sport to increase engagement, improve mental and physical well-being, and provide new opportunities for growth and development. In doing so, it supports long-term rehabilitation and more successful reintegration into communities nationwide.

The power of professional sport

‍The Twinning Project is designed to support rehabilitation and reintegration within the U.S. correctional system. By partnering with professional sports teams and leading national organizations, the project harnesses the expertise of coaches and mentors, while also leveraging the power and influence of respected sports brands to inspire meaningful engagement. Many incarcerated individuals in the United States have faced disrupted education, exclusion from school, and limited opportunities for positive development. As a result, they often develop resistance to traditional learning, vocational training, or even regular physical activity. The Twinning Project uses sport as a universal language to break down these barriers, building trust and motivation in ways that more formal programs often cannot. Through this approach, sport becomes a catalyst for change, improving mental and physical well-being, developing valuable life skills, and fostering brighter futures for individuals returning to communities across the nation.