The author relates how the idea behind the school he founded came from events that transpired in the incarceration of a 16-year-old client, Eddie. Eddie, who was charged with trespassing and stealing, pleaded to the author that he wanted "a program" instead of going to jail. However, the court found him guilty and sent him to jail. Years later, the author was contacted by David Domenici, a son of a U.S. senator, to let him know that he wanted to create a school for kids like Eddie. It was the beginning of what would become the Maya Angelou Public Charter School. In this article, the author describes how they created this charter school, and how they became successful at turning around the lives of their students by teaching them to control (and reflect on) their actions, set goals and develop plans to attain them, delay gratification, and take responsibility for themselves. (Contains 2 figures.)