Sports aren’t just about scoring points - sometimes they’re about scoring second chances. The Golden State Warriors are proving that transformation is possible, even behind bars, through an incredible coaching program at Solano State Prison.

Turning Pain into Purpose

Ray Woodfork’s story is a testament to personal growth. Once a young man whose basketball dreams were shattered by a fatal mistake, he’s now using sports as a vehicle for rehabilitation. During a recent coaching program, Woodfork learned to manage conflict differently - choosing dialogue over confrontation when challenged by a fellow inmate.

More Than Just a Game

The Twinning Project, in collaboration with the Warriors, isn’t just teaching basketball skills. It’s providing incarcerated men with tools for emotional regulation, self-worth, and community building. Participants learn mental strategies like the “palms down” technique - a method to stay calm and focused when triggered.

Changing Perspectives

These men aren’t just learning to coach basketball; they’re learning to coach themselves through life’s challenges. By trading prison blues for Warriors jerseys, they’re symbolically transforming their identities. The program has shown remarkable results, with participants reporting increased self-confidence and reduced propensity for violence.

Woodfork now writes powerful rap lyrics about his journey, turning his painful past into a message of hope and redemption. His story reminds us that rehabilitation isn’t about punishment, but about providing genuine opportunities for growth.