Inside CDCR Video, Rehabilitation, Sports in CDCR

Watch: SATF goes Between the Lines

September 30, 2025

Volunteers from Between the Lines recently brought their rehabilitative program to the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (SATF) and State Prison at Corcoran. ESPN was also on hand to capture the game and program.

“They always come in with a good group of volunteers,” said L. Valencia, physical education coach. “They always bring in a lot of people who are willing to come in (and) play against our guys. This time we have a pretty unique situation where ESPN can come in (and) broadcast the entire thing.”

Watch the video (story continues below):

Lamont Tory Stapleton, co-founder of Between the Lines, said the non-profit organization focuses on humanizing the incarcerated population.

“(We are) also providing programming such as sports and educational programming to individuals who do find themselves incarcerated,” he explained. “(We also provide) reintegration services upon release. Our goal is really to shift the narrative, to let the people on the outside know that people who have made mistakes and find themselves incarcerated are able to rehabilitate and change. (They can) become active members in society.”

Sports connects incarcerated and community

Destiny Littleton, a Between the Lines volunteer, said she understands the impact incarceration has on families.

“I had a parent in the prison system, and it was really hard,” she said. “So, just providing them a space where they can for a moment feel free from everything going on here, it really does a lot for them. For us, it touches our heart, my heart, in ways I really can’t even explain.”

Richard, one of the incarcerated program participants, said the games are a reminder of the outside world.

“It was amazing just to come from the prison experience,” he explained. “It was just like being outside on the gym. I’ve been down 18 years. I’ve been watching them on TV every year in the finals. Reconnecting to those moments when I was younger and fell in love with the game of basketball, it just felt wonderful.”

Stapleton said rehabilitation is important for everyone involved.

“(Offering) opportunities for them on the inside can provide some hope,” he said. “(It’s important) to show them some love, (and) to be those people they needed prior to them going to prison.”

Video by Chris Medina, Director, TV Communications (specialist)
Story by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
Office of Public and Employee Communications