# Former inmate leads women's prison fitness program

> A former inmate returns weekly to Perryville Prison to lead fitness classes for women incarcerated there.
- Title: Former inmate leads women's prison fitness program | Shortify
- Summary: A former inmate returns weekly to Perryville Prison to lead fitness classes for women incarcerated there. A former inmate leads weekly fitness classes at…
- Keywords: perryville prison, convicted comeback, helen dahlstrom, margaret coss, kristin kline, fitness program, news, local, Former, inmate, leads, women's
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/09/23/former-inmate-leads-weekly-fitness-program-womens-prison
- Published: 2026-09-23T15:17:11.02+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: perryville prison, convicted comeback, helen dahlstrom, margaret coss, kristin kline, fitness program, news, local
## Fitness program starts
A former inmate returns weekly to Perryville Prison to lead an hourlong fitness class for women incarcerated there.
## Participants' backgrounds
Helen Dahlstrom has a gambling addiction that led her to break the law, while Margaret Coss is a recovering drug addict with multiple incarcerations.
## Self-worth impact
Dahlstrom said she lost self-worth entering prison, stating, 'Absolutely. I don’t know a person that hasn’t.'

> Absolutely. I don’t know a person that hasn’t.
## Community building
Participants said the program builds better community, allowing women to trust each other through shared workouts.

> It builds a better community amongst us women, we can trust each other because we’re working out together.
## Program creator
Kristin Kline, a formerly incarcerated person, created the Convicted Comeback program after fitness saved her life.
## Current program challenges
Kline leads workouts outdoors in extreme heat on hot cement without mats, motivating participants to seek change.

> They’re hungry for change. They’re hungry for what we’re ready to deliver, and we speak their language.
## Key takeaway

A former inmate leads weekly fitness classes at Perryville Prison to help women incarcerated there rebuild community and self-worth.