In this powerful episode of Corrections Unfiltered, we sit down with Jason Zaharis, 27 year veteran of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and founder of Reformation 319, to talk about mental health, trauma, faith, and the culture of corrections.
After decades inside the system, Jason saw firsthand how officers are trained to suppress their emotions, bury their struggles, and “push through” trauma that would break most people. The result?
High stress, hidden suffering, and staff who feel alone.
Jason founded Reformation 319, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting correctional staff and their families through mental-health resources, communication tools, and a culture shift that bridges the gap between system designers and system experiencers.
We dive into:
- Mental health in corrections and why staff wellness can’t be ignored
- The moments that pushed Jason toward change
- His personal battle with trauma—and how faith helped him rebuild
- Why open communication is critical for survival in this profession
- The mission of Reformation 319 to support staff, families, and even inmates
Jason’s book, reformation 319, Life of a Correctional Officer (Available at Amazon) and the need for the public to understand the real life of a correctional officer
.
Corrections Unfiltered
REFRORMATION 319 - CORRECTIONS STAFF MENTAL WELLNESS
In this powerful episode of Corrections Unfiltered, we sit down with Jason Zaharis, 27 year veteran of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and founder of Reformation 319, to talk about mental health, trauma, faith, and the culture of corrections.
After decades inside the system, Jason saw firsthand how officers are trained to suppress their emotions, bury their struggles, and “push through” trauma that would break most people. The result?
High stress, hidden suffering, and staff who feel alone.
Jason founded Reformation 319, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting correctional staff and their families through mental-health resources, communication tools, and a culture shift that bridges the gap between system designers and system experiencers.
We dive into:
- Mental health in corrections and why staff wellness can’t be ignored
- The moments that pushed Jason toward change
- His personal battle with trauma—and how faith helped him rebuild
- Why open communication is critical for survival in this profession
- The mission of Reformation 319 to support staff, families, and even inmates
Visit Jason's website at reformation319.org/
Jason’s book, reformation 319, Life of a Correctional Officer (Available at Amazon) and the need for the public to understand the real life of a correctional officer .
6 days ago | [YT] | 1