In order to reduce recidivism, periods of incarceration need to be augmented by programming designed to address skill deficits. A pilot program is described that was developed to address skill deficits through a writing program. Known as Writing For Our Lives, the program was piloted in 1994 at the Northeastern Correctional Center, a minimum-security facility of the Massachusetts Department of Correction. The writing program is based on a public safety model and has the ultimate goal of reducing recidivism. Specific program goals are to shift offender self-identities from procriminal to prosocial, teach concrete problem-solving and consequential thinking skills, enhance offender social perspective-taking skills, and provide links to prosocial community activities. The article describes accomplishments during the program's first year and plans for the future. 12 references, 8 endnotes, and 2 figures