Kristin Kline, herself a formerly incarcerated individual, is now spearheading a weekly fitness program for women inmates at Perryville Prison in Arizona. The initiative, known as Convicted Comeback, facilitates an hourlong class every Wednesday, specifically designed to support women currently serving sentences and to encourage significant personal transformation.
The genesis of the Convicted Comeback program lies in Kline's own profound experiences within the justice system. Kline has openly stated that fitness played a crucial role in her rehabilitation, going as far as to say it “saved her life” during her period of incarceration. Following her release from Perryville Prison, Kline dedicated herself to further education, successfully earning multiple academic degrees. Now, by her own choice, she regularly returns to the very facility where, in her words, she “lost everything,” to lead these demanding workout sessions for the present inmate population.
Participants in the Convicted Comeback program engage in their fitness sessions outdoors. These workouts are conducted under challenging conditions, frequently exposing the women to extreme heat and requiring them to exercise directly on hot cement surfaces, notably without the provision of mats. Despite these physically demanding circumstances, Kline has consistently observed that the women involved are highly motivated. She vividly characterized them as “hungry for change,” demonstrating a strong desire for the personal transformation and improved well-being that the program endeavors to provide. Kline further explained that the program's success stems from its ability to “speak their language,” indicating a deep understanding of the participants' experiences and needs, which she believes makes it a perfect fit for their journey toward change.
Among the dedicated women who regularly partake in the Convicted Comeback classes is Helen Dahlstrom. Dahlstrom has openly shared that she lives with a gambling addiction, which led her to break the law to sustain her habit, ultimately resulting in her incarceration. Reflecting on her time within the prison system, Dahlstrom articulated a profound sense of diminished self-worth that she experienced upon her entry. This feeling, she asserted, is a common and undeniable experience for many individuals who find themselves incarcerated. She noted, “Absolutely. I don’t know a person that hasn’t” felt a loss of self-worth.
Another key participant who has found significant value in the program is Margaret Coss. Coss identified herself as a recovering drug addict, a journey that has unfortunately led to her incarceration on multiple occasions. Coss emphasized the substantial positive social impact generated by the fitness classes, explaining that they actively foster a much stronger and more supportive sense of community among the women at the prison. According to Coss, the shared experience of working out together is instrumental in helping the women to truly get to know one another and, critically, to build essential trust within the often-challenging prison environment. She specifically stated that the program “builds a better community amongst us women,” further strengthening bonds.