Public Speaking Workshop Prepares ADC Detainees for Successful Re-Entry

Twelve detainees at the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center, or ADC, recently completed the “Speak to Me: Re-Entry” Public Speaking Workshop, a six-week program designed to reduce recidivism by strengthening communication, confidence and connection. 

Launched by the ADC in partnership with the Office of Community Safety, the workshop empowers participants with the communication skills essential for successful re-entry into the community and long-term personal and professional success. 

Through structured storytelling exercises, participants learn to actively listen, engage with intent and build trust—skills that support reintegration and help develop positive community networks. The program aims to create credible messengers who can share their stories authentically in social settings, job interviews and public forums. 

“This is an initiative with immediate impact,” said Kimberly Sparkes, Senior Communications and Engagement Analyst with the Office of Community Safety. “We’re able to see the inmates flourish and collaborate while building a necessary skill set they don’t even realize they’re developing until the end of the series.” 

Professional storyteller and instructor Nick Baskerville, who leads the workshop, described the series as a “tool to interact and connect with people,” adding that effective communication helps individuals navigate everyday life, particularly as they reacclimate to their communities. 

ADC Superintendent Colonel Allen West underscored the importance of communication in re-entry success.  

“We want our detainees to re-enter the community with a voice, whether it’s for a job or to develop their own career path,” West said. “This is one of our favorite programs among the 74 we offer because it provides a tool for success.” 

Participants described the workshop as transformative. One detainee shared, “I want to be more confident so I can be a credible messenger for at-risk youth once I’m released. I’d like to start a nonprofit to help young men choose the right path, and this class will help me do that.”

Another said the class has inspired him to “develop [his] public speaking and writing skills to grow [his] passion for poetry, scriptwriting and film production.” 

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Since its launch last year, the Speak to Me: Re-Entry workshop has continued to demonstrate measurable impact. The program’s ongoing success reinforces that when participants find their voice, gain confidence and rediscover their purpose, they are better equipped to return to the community and thrive.

To learn more, visit the Adult Detention Center at pwcva.gov/adc and the Office of Community Safety at pwcva.gov/ocs.