COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Jail has officially celebrated a major milestone in inmate rehabilitation, with Derek Butler and Dorrean McBride as the very first graduates of its Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) program.
Facilitated by Kylie Tyler of Pines Behavioral Health Services, the evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral treatment strategy focuses on raising moral reasoning, improving decision-making, and reducing recidivism among participants.
Sheriff’s officials praised the two men for the immense time, effort, and commitment they dedicated toward fostering accountability and establishing healthier goals for their futures.
Unlike many correctional programs that offer institutional incentives, participation in the jail’s MRT program is completely voluntary.
Graduates do not receive reduced sentences, dismissed charges, or any external benefits; instead, they choose to complete the rigorous, step-based curriculum purely out of a desire for personal growth and rehabilitation.
By successfully navigating the program, Butler and McBride have set a inspiring precedent for future participants, highlighting a community-backed shift toward meaningful, long-term behavior change within the local justice system.
Comments