When you think about visiting a loved one in a correctional facility, the image that comes to mind probably isn’t family friendly. CoreCivic leadership knows the value of family visitation. Through its normalization process, CoreCivic is working to implement changes that focus on making these visits as positive and meaningful as possible, especially for children. One of this initiative's most innovative and heartwarming parts is a lovable fictional dog named Cooper.

Cooper, the bespectacled and friendly mascot, has become emblematic of CoreCivic’s Project Vista initiatives, which aim to promote rehabilitation through trauma-informed design of the physical environment and an evidence-based focus on programs and operational practices. This furry companion is just one tool in the broader toolkit, which effectively promotes high-quality care for incarcerated individuals and their visiting family members.

Visitation plays a crucial role in the lives of incarcerated individuals. When positive family relationships are maintained—especially between parents and children—the likelihood of successful reentry increases, and recidivism decreases. CoreCivic understands that supporting these relationships is key to rehabilitation and long-term, sustainable change.

For many children, having a parent incarcerated is a difficult reality. Rebuilding and strengthening this relationship incentivizes incarcerated individuals to grow personally while providing children with opportunities to engage in positive interactions with their parent. Children with incarcerated parents are some of the most resilient young people. Productive visitation is a transformative step toward a healthier parent-child bond that benefits both parties in the short and long term.

Creating an environment that promotes trauma-informed visitation for children is essential. Not surprisingly, many guardians and family members hesitate to bring children into a correctional environment due to its intimidating nature. That’s where Cooper comes in.

A designer created Cooper, supported by a diverse group of children, to make visitation more welcoming and less intimidating for them. His paw prints mark the floors, drawing children’s eyes away from imposing visuals at the adult eye level. Cutouts, statues, and images of Cooper greet children along the path to the facility’s visitation center. They are regularly moved, turning what could be a scary journey for a child into an engaging game.

The impact has been significant. Before Cooper’s introduction, children often entered the visitation room nervous, making the experience less beneficial. Now, many children arrive smiling and energetic, creating a more positive atmosphere for family interactions.

Project Vista lead Lana Sandas explains, "We wanted to create a welcoming and mentally safer experience for children. Cooper helps shift their focus, turning a potentially overwhelming visit into a more engaging and positive encounter by including a familiar companion."

Cooper’s presence hasn’t gone unnoticed. Initially unaware of Cooper’s presence on the journey to the visitation space, incarcerated individuals expressed gratitude upon seeing how happy and comfortable their children were. After learning of CoreCivic’s Project Vista, one incarcerated parent was moved to tears, thanking CoreCivic staff for taking concrete steps to prioritize their children’s well-being.

CoreCivic has also introduced Cooper-themed, two-person activity books for parents and children to use together during visitation. These books promote bonding and create lasting memories; families leave at the end of the visit with a tangible reminder of their time together.

Taking Cooper’s impact even further, 50 incarcerated individuals hand-knit stuffed Cooper toys for visiting children. These cozy companions provide comfort and familiarity, helping children feel more at ease when visiting.

Cooper represents CoreCivic’s commitment to trauma-informed care and positive family relationships. Project Vista is dedicated to rehabilitative goals and process improvements that build a foundation for successful reentry, including rebuilding family relationships.

By redesigning facilities to be more trauma-informed, CoreCivic is working to rebuild critical aspects of incarcerated individuals' lives. Positive changes in one area can lead to others, creating a domino effect that supports successful reentry.

Cooper may be small, but his impact is profound. By creating a more welcoming visitation experience, CoreCivic strengthens family bonds, heightens the likelihood of successful reentry, and contributes to a stronger community—one paw print at a time.