--- title: Case study- Ventura County Sheriff's Office description: See how Ventura County Sheriff's Office uses Atlas to reach Protective Custody populations with 866+ hours of cognitive behavioral programming. image: https://go.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Website%20Pages/Case%20studies/ventura_county_sheriffs_office_logo.jpeg --- [![The Change Companies Logo](https://go.changecompanies.net/hs-fs/hubfs/TCClogo_website.png?width=500&height=67&name=TCClogo_website.png "The Change Companies Logo")](https://changecompanies.net?hsLang=en) [Technical Support](https://support.changecompanies.net/?hsLang=en) [Contact Sales](https://go.changecompanies.net/contact?hsLang=en) Search changecompanies.net About Us [About](https://changecompanies.net/about?hsLang=en) [Leadership](https://changecompanies.net/about?hsLang=en#leadership) [Advisors](https://changecompanies.net/about?hsLang=en#advisors) [Contact Us](https://go.changecompanies.net/contact?hsLang=en) [Careers](https://changecompanies.net/careers?hsLang=en) [![The Change Companies Logo](https://844aa8d177dcf87d02fc-8f72bb99f02c2e7ec80fe67c19b57c36.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/newsite/TCClogo_website.png)](https://go.changecompanies.net/?hsLang=en) - 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When digital delivery became available through [Atlas](https://changecompanies.net/atlas?hsLang=en), Ventura County expanded its ability to reach people who previously had few opportunities to participate. 866+ hrs Spent engaging with Atlas over the past year 7,830 Learning sessions completed 100+ hrs Spent listening to podcasts [Book a Demo](https://changecompanies.net/atlas/demo?hsLang=en) [Learn More About Atlas](https://changecompanies.net/atlas?hsLang=en) ![Ventura County Sheriff's Office](https://go.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Website%20Pages/Case%20studies/ventura_county_sheriffs_office_logo.jpeg) ### About Ventura County Sheriff's Office Under the leadership of Program Administrator Abigail Honorico, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office has long relied on cognitive behavioral interventions to address the underlying thinking patterns and life skills that contribute to criminal behavior. Today, [Atlas](https://changecompanies.net/atlas?hsLang=en) is primarily used with individuals in Protective Custody (PC) housing — participants who often have limited access to traditional classroom programming because of security classifications, staffing realities, and operational constraints. ### Key findings #### 866+ hours of engagement Participants spent more than 866 hours engaging with Atlas across 7,830 learning sessions over the past year #### Reaching Protective Custody populations For many participants, Atlas provides one of the few opportunities to engage in structured cognitive behavioral programming during their incarceration #### Triaging staff check-ins Atlas dashboards and Journal activity help instructors identify who may need immediate attention ## Meeting people where they are For years, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office has invested in evidence-based programming designed to help incarcerated individuals build the skills they need for successful reentry. Under the leadership of Program Administrator Abigail Honorico, the agency has long relied on cognitive behavioral interventions to address the underlying thinking patterns and life skills that contribute to criminal behavior. When digital delivery became available through [Atlas](https://changecompanies.net/atlas?hsLang=en), Ventura County expanded its ability to reach people who previously had few opportunities to participate. "I am more than thrilled with Atlas... I think the inmates really love it. I love having the opportunity to educate inmates that I wouldn't be able to because of their classification." — Abigail Honorico, Program Administrator, Ventura County Sheriff's Office Today, [Atlas](https://changecompanies.net/atlas?hsLang=en) is primarily used with individuals in Protective Custody (PC) housing — participants who often have limited access to traditional classroom programming because of security classifications, staffing realities, and operational constraints. For many of these individuals, Atlas provides one of the few opportunities to engage in structured cognitive behavioral programming during their incarceration. 866+ Hours of engagement 7,830 Learning sessions 6 wks Structured learning cycles Over the past year alone, participants have spent more than 866 hours engaging with Atlas across 7,830 learning sessions, completing evidence-based *Interactive Journaling*®, videos, and podcasts focused on thinking skills, emotional regulation, victim awareness, substance use recovery, and successful reentry. ## Reaching people traditional programming couldn't Like many correctional agencies across the country, Ventura County has experienced significant operational changes since COVID-19. Lower staffing levels, fewer available classrooms, housing classifications, lockdowns, and competing work assignments have all made it more difficult to deliver consistent in-person programming. At the same time, many incarcerated individuals who most need behavioral programming are unable to attend traditional classes because of where they're housed. Rather than viewing technology as a replacement for classroom instruction, Abigail saw Atlas as a way to ensure that programming could continue despite those realities. Atlas allows participants to complete evidence-based journal work independently while staff continue to facilitate discussions, coaching, and individual support whenever possible. The approach has become especially valuable for Protective Custody populations. "They make the best students. They're the hungriest because of their classification. There's not a whole lot that we can give them." — Abigail Honorico, Program Administrator, Ventura County Sheriff's Office ## Building a flexible model that works inside a jail Ventura County has designed its delivery approach for Atlas around the realities of jail operations. Participants are enrolled in structured six-week learning cycles that align with the county's adult education partnership while accommodating required educational testing. Cohorts remain relatively stable from one course to the next, allowing staff to build continuity while minimizing administrative burden. ### 1. Learning continues when jail operations change Importantly, Atlas provides flexibility when jail operations inevitably change. Lockdowns, work assignments, court appearances, and staffing shortages no longer bring learning to a halt. Participants continue progressing independently on their tablets until staff can reconnect with them. ### 2. Staff prioritize their limited time The platform also helps staff prioritize their limited time. Rather than attempting to check in with every participant equally, instructors use Atlas dashboards and Journal activity to identify who may need immediate attention while allowing others to continue progressing independently. "So that's what I love about it. Atlas is actually helping to triage who gets a check-in at any given time." — Abigail Honorico, Program Administrator ### 3. Less movement throughout the facility Reducing unnecessary movement throughout the facility creates operational benefits as well. "If you have one less person going in, it's fantastic. The deputies aren't stressed out... If it can all be done through the tablet... that's our goal." — Abigail Honorico, Program Administrator ## Outcomes: Supporting lasting behavior change Abigail has already seen firsthand how Atlas can help participants develop new insights about themselves — often in ways they didn't expect. She recalls one participant who initially completed an anger management course, where he began recognizing how his reactions were affecting his relationships and family dynamics. When staff encouraged him to continue with a substance use course, he was hesitant. Step 1 #### Anger management course He began recognizing how his reactions were affecting his relationships and family dynamics. Step 2 #### Encouraged to take a substance use course When staff encouraged him to continue, he was hesitant. Step 3 #### New self-insight Through every journal he encountered, he learned more and more about himself. "He really didn't want to take it. He didn't think that he had a substance abuse issue." — Abigail Honorico, Program Administrator But as he continued working through the *Interactive Journaling*® activities, something changed. "I think through every journal that he encountered, he learned more and more of himself. And then that's when he's like, 'Wait a minute. I think I might have a substance abuse problem. I think I might not be handling my anger that very well.'" — Abigail Honorico, Program Administrator, Ventura County Sheriff's Office For Abigail, this individual's experience illustrates what evidence-based cognitive behavioral programming is designed to accomplish. Rather than telling participants what they need to change, the journaling process helps them arrive at those conclusions themselves — building the kind of personal insight that can motivate meaningful behavior change. ### What participants engaged with most Over the past year, participants have engaged in more than 7,800 learning sessions, with the most frequently accessed *Interactive Journaling*® topics including rational thinking, life management, victim awareness, and anger management. Participants also spent more than 100 hours listening to podcasts covering topics such as managing difficult feelings, challenging risky thinking, stress management, medication for opioid use disorder, and mindfulness, alongside videos focused on addiction, life skills, and rational thinking. #### *Interactive Journaling*® Most frequently accessed topics - Rational thinking - Life management - Victim awareness - Anger management #### Podcasts 100+ hours of listening - Managing difficult feelings - Challenging risky thinking - Stress management - Medication for opioid use disorder - Mindfulness #### Videos Topics covered - Addiction - Life skills - Rational thinking ## Future directions Looking ahead, Abigail sees even greater opportunities. She hopes to expand Atlas beyond Protective Custody populations, develop approved parenting and basic health curricula, and ultimately create a more connected "inside-out" reentry model — one that begins during incarceration and continues seamlessly into probation and community supervision. 01 #### Expand beyond Protective Custody Bring Atlas to populations beyond Protective Custody housing. 02 #### New curricula Develop approved parenting and basic health curricula. 03 #### An "inside-out" reentry model A model that begins during incarceration and continues into probation and community supervision. "Atlas is a great vehicle for that. If they start in jail... that's great that we can continue that same curriculum with probation." — Abigail Honorico, Program Administrator For now, she's confident in recommending the platform to others. "I'm really, really happy with Atlas. I've never not been happy." — Abigail Honorico, Program Administrator, Ventura County Sheriff's Office " ## Keep programming going inside your facility See how Atlas helps jails deliver evidence-based *Interactive Journaling*®, videos, and podcasts on tablets — so lockdowns, staffing shortages, and housing classifications no longer bring learning to a halt. [Get an Atlas Demo](https://changecompanies.net/atlas/demo?hsLang=en) ![Atlas product demo](https://go.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Website%20Pages/Main%20page/Group%20139-1.png) ### More case studies ### [![Dismas Charities](https://go.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Landing%20Pages/Downloads/Images/Dismas_Charities_FullColor-022x.avif) REENTRY Dismas Charities How Dismas Charities uses Atlas in reentry: an independent evaluation See how Atlas helps Dismas Charities strengthen reentry outcomes, boost client motivation, and save staff time each week. Read the Case Study](https://go.changecompanies.net/case-study-dismas-charities?hsLang=en) ### [![New Freedom](https://go.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Blog/Banner%20Graphics/New%20freedom.png) REENTRY New Freedom How New Freedom uses Interactive Journaling® to promote strong reentry outcomes Discover how New Freedom integrates Interactive Journaling® to strengthen engagement, skill development, and lasting behavior change. Read the Case Study](https://go.changecompanies.net/case-study-new-freedom?hsLang=en) Book your Atlas demo ## See what Atlas could do inside your facility Ventura County uses [Atlas](https://changecompanies.net/atlas?hsLang=en) to reach people that traditional programming couldn't. Tell us a little about your agency, and we'll show you how it could work for yours. ### In your demo, we'll walk you through: - Evidence-based *Interactive Journaling*®, videos, and podcasts delivered on tablets - Dashboards and Journal activity that help staff decide who needs a check-in - How learning keeps going through lockdowns, court appearances, and staffing shortages 866+ hrs of Atlas engagement at Ventura County Sheriff's Office over the past year ### Request your Atlas demo Fill out the form and our team will be in touch. 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