I.T.M (Inverted Tree Ministries) is a nonprofit organization recognized as a 501(c)(3) entity, established to provide funding for peer-led recovery programming within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). We play a crucial role in coordinating and facilitating programs dedicated to sobriety and lasting rehabilitation, with the goal of preparing men for their eventual reintegration into society.

At Inverted Tree Ministries, we firmly believe that all men are capable of change, and when given the opportunity, they will embrace that change. We hold the view that mass incarceration and lengthy sentences do little to positively impact crime rates or recidivism; instead, lasting reform is the key solution. This reform is attainable when men are afforded a genuine chance at transformation and are held to the highest standards throughout their rehabilitation programs. We advocate for a radical shift in the prison environment—moving beyond merely having men attend classes or bringing instructors into their living areas. Instead, we envision the creation of permanent therapeutic communities that allow men to experience a living environment that resembles life outside of incarceration. These therapeutic communities are designed to provide daily job assignments, structured weekly class schedules, and cultivate peer-led accountability in settings that resemble actual living rooms. By transforming living spaces to mimic real homes and incorporating effective instruction in cognitive and behavioral modifications, these innovative in-prison therapeutic communities offer the most promising opportunities for lasting reform. They prepare men not only for their eventual release but also, in cases where individuals may not qualify for parole, help them develop into leaders who can foster positive cultural change within the prison system.

Inverted Tree Ministries was founded in response to a pressing need on the Robertson Unit in Abilene, Texas. At that time, there was a lack of therapeutic communities specifically designed for G3 inmates—those serving life sentences, many without the possibility of parole. These men faced significant barriers to advancement in housing and employment, and they often felt there was little incentive to pursue sober and productive lifestyles. An inmate named James Thompson, who has served nearly 16 years with the last nine spent maintaining his sobriety and deepening his spiritual journey, recognized the dire need for a program that specifically addressed the G3 population he lived among. Drawing on several years of studying existing in-prison therapeutic community curricula, combined with over 15 years of personal experiences and nine years of sobriety, James was inspired to create “The Forever Sober Program.” In early 2025, the vision and need for Inverted Tree Ministries came to fruition, marking the beginning of our commitment to provide meaningful rehabilitation opportunities and to foster a positive transformation within the Texas prison system. Through this initiative, we aim to empower men to embrace sobriety and rehabilitative practices, ultimately preparing them for a hopeful future.

Currently, Inverted Tree Ministries is primarily focused on supporting The Forever Sober Program at the Robertson Unit by raising donations and supplying the necessary resources for the program's success. Our efforts are dedicated to ensuring that the program operates effectively and continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of participants. In addition to our work with The Forever Sober Program, we are actively exploring opportunities to expand our reach. We aim to provide assistance for other initiatives within the unit, including the Dorm Incentivized Living program, the Unit’s V.I.G. (Veteran’s Incarcerated Group) initiative, and rehabilitation efforts currently being established for G4 and G5 inmates (medium and closed custody), as well as G2 inmates (minimum custody) who are grappling with substance abuse issues. Through collaboration with these programs, we strive to create a comprehensive support network that empowers all individuals involved in the rehabilitation process. Our goal is to foster an environment conducive to recovery, personal growth, and successful reintegration into society.

Our motto draws inspiration from several biblical passages that guide our mission. In Isaiah 42:6-7, we are called to bring light to the prisoners and guide them out of darkness. Matthew 25:35-40 instructs us that by visiting those in prison, we serve the Lord. Hebrews 13:3 encourages us to remember those in prison as if we were in prison with them. We strive to fulfill these calls through our ministry. We believe that by serving the Lord through prison ministry, we are spiritually planting our roots in heaven. The fruit we produce consists of transformed incarcerated men who will not only find light for themselves but also bring that light to other prisoners. Our hope is that these individuals will leave prison equipped and ready to become healthy, productive members of society. This ministry is of utmost importance because, without it, the destructive cycle of crime, imprisonment, and recidivism continues unabated. We are committed to breaking this cycle through dedicated, consistent, and sustained efforts.

Inverted Tree Ministries is in the early stages of our divinely appointed mission to change the prison culture within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Currently, our sole program is “The Forever Sober Program” at the Robertson Unit in Abilene, Texas. This program provides therapeutic community housing for 144 G3 inmates, with plans to expand this opportunity to an additional 144 men in the near future. We are committed to growing this program and continuing to foster a healthy society within the prison system through our transformative initiatives.

Unlike existing programs, The Forever Sober Program specifically targets the G3 population within TDCJ—men serving life sentences. This demographic represents a static population in the prison system. By successfully reforming these at-risk individuals, we can create positive and lasting cultural changes that ripple throughout the entire facility.

This program initially trains influential role model inmates from the G3 population to become effective sponsors for fellow inmates who are grappling with not only substance abuse but also the numerous destructive lifestyles present in the system. These trained peers spend extensive time—day and night—with candidates seeking assistance, committing to support them for one year or as long as necessary to help them establish a healthy lifestyle.

While other initiatives may utilize outside instructors, inmate teachers from outside the program, or even inmate teachers assigned to the same living area, The Forever Sober Program offers a unique approach. Each candidate is paired with a dedicated sponsor who lives in the same cell. This close living arrangement—where they eat, recreate, and develop a solid and dependable relationship—provides the candidate with the mentorship they desperately need. Many candidates have previously chosen destructive lifestyles due to a lack of influential role models. Their sponsor effectively becomes the brother or father figure they are missing. This dedicated support not only aids in sobriety but also fosters personal growth, maturity, and the creation of a productive life plan with clear goals. Ultimately, candidates not only achieve sobriety but become valuable assets to their community, security staff, administration, their families, and future generations of men who are struggling.

Our aim is to build a healthy community that functions like a family among the static population of the Unit. This community will serve as examples and role models for newly arriving inmates serving long sentences, guiding them away from destructive lifestyles from the start. By transforming the static population into a healthy, functioning community, we can enhance relationships between staff and inmates, creating a genuinely rehabilitative environment that aligns with TDCJ's mission. As this program spreads across the Unit, it will foster successful sober living areas while maintaining "transitional" sections for incoming candidates, allowing them to learn from seasoned sponsors who are wholeheartedly invested in their success. We envision a Unit where all members transition into healthy, productive communities, focused on rehabilitation and readiness for release transforming once-broken men into powerful leaders.

The primary innovation lies in changing the physical environment of the living spaces. By removing steel tables, benches, and other bolted-down fixtures, we create a setting akin to a living room. This shift helps participating men to escape the "prison mindset" and embark on the reform process necessary to become healthy, productive members of society. By offering a living environment that mirrors their potential in the free world, participants can envision and strive for cognitive and behavioral reform, ensuring that they can maintain their newfound lifestyle.