Former inmate leads weekly fitness program at women’s prison
Women at Arizona facility say workouts help rebuild self-worth
ARIZONA (Aging Untold) — A former inmate is returning to Perryville Prison each week to lead a fitness class for women incarcerated there as part of a program called Convicted Comeback.
Weekly workouts
Women at Perryville take part in the hourlong class every Wednesday.
Helen Dahlstrom said she has a gambling addiction and broke the law to support the habit. Margaret Coss said she is a recovering drug addict who has been incarcerated multiple times.
Asked whether she felt she lost some of her self-worth entering the prison, Dahlstrom said, “Absolutely. I don’t know a person that hasn’t.”
Women who take part in the class said it has changed how they view each other.
“It builds a better community amongst us women,” Coss said. “We can trust each other because we’re working out together. We’re getting to know each other.”
Program creator
Kristin Kline created the Convicted Comeback program. Kline said she is formerly incarcerated and fitness saved her life.
“So, I decided to bring fitness back to the prison where I lost everything,” Kline said.
After her release from Perryville, Kline went back to school and earned degrees. She now returns to the prison by choice to lead the workouts, which take place outdoors in extreme heat and on hot cement without mats.
Kline said participants are motivated because they want change.
“They’re hungry for change,” Kline said. “They’re hungry for what we’re ready to deliver, and we speak their language, so it’s a perfect fit.”
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