Out of prison, into the fire, back to prison. It doesn't have to be that way. Julius Campbell, who spent over a quarter of a century in the Georgia prison system before his recent release, shares invaluable insights into the causes of recidivism and what we the people -- as individuals and as communities -- can do about it. After 26 years of incarceration, Julius has returned home a better rather than bitter man. His transformation while in the criminal justice system was driven by his earnest desire for rehabilitation and his faith. During his time in prison he pursued higher education, graduating from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry. In addition, he has added a host of necessary skill sets to his tool belt (i.e., mentoring, compassionate coaching, and motivational speaking). Since his release he has continued in his passion of encouraging, educating, and empowering others to finish strong. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx