OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA (KOKH) — A new residential program for non-violent women offenders launched today, April 16.
The About Face Women’s Offender Program, a partnership between District Attorney Laura Austin Thomas and community partners, is a one-year residential initiative that will work to rehabilitate non-violent female offenders through career training, counseling, and community-based mentorship.
About Face is set to open this month with the goal of reducing repeat offenses among women offenders.
“Real rehabilitation doesn’t happen by accident—it requires structure, accountability, and opportunity,” said Thomas. “Most of these women have never had a stable home, a marketable skill, or anyone believe in them. Most of them lack a solid education. About Face is designed to change that.”
Participants will undergo trauma-focused therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, substance and mental health counseling, life-skills development, and parenting.
Every woman in the program will be paired with two community volunteer mentors to strengthen their personal support system.
Additionally, participants will earn trade certifications through Career Tech.
About Face is a non-profit supported by donations and grants, not taxpayer funding.
“This is not a handout. This is hard work and hard structure with high expectations,” Thomas said. “I’ve spent 41 years in prosecution. I know what doesn’t work. This does.”
Executive Director Dee Miller, who has been developing the program, will lead its day-to-day operations.
“Community involvement is essential to this model,” said Miller. “We’re asking for adult women to serve as mentors, volunteers, and people willing to share real-world skills—whether that’s cooking on a budget, job readiness, gardening, financial education, and more.”
To learn more about becoming a mentor, volunteer, or supporter, click here.
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