**Journal Entry: July 19, 2024**

Today marks the beginning of Project Mirage. The objective is simple: observe how long-time prisoners adapt to a new world. I am the one who first brought up this idea and my investment in its success is unwavering. If this experiment succeeds, it could revolutionize the way we handle recidivism and lower the mortality rates of newly released prisoners.

Our first subject is Thomas Mackley. A 35-year-old man convicted of arson and felony murder at 15.

Thomas's case is a special one. Over the past two decades, I’ve had numerous conversations with him. His tragic past—marked by unspeakable violence and abuse—was what inspired this project. He wasn't inherently violent; he was a victim of a system that failed him.

His desperate act of setting fire to his home was an attempt to escape his abusive father, but he ended up unknowingly killing him in the process. He confessed his guilt and accepted his punishment.

I vividly recall his first hearing—his complete breakdown impacted me. The helplessness in his eyes stayed a reminder of the failure to provide him a chance at redemption. Being incarcerated at such a young age, he was deprived of crucial experiences needed to navigate adulthood. Imagine how he’d feel being released into a world he hasn't seen in decades, his only help being "good luck."

With meticulous planning, we’ve created an environment that mirrors the real world. Professional improv actors will simulate everyday interactions, and over 1,000 cameras will document his every move. While we can intervene at any moment, we’ve agreed to let the experiment unfold naturally to ensure authenticity.

This could either end in disaster or exceed our expectations and has the ability to destroy my career yet I bear full responsibility for its outcome.

I’ll try to regularly provide updates as the project unfolds.

Signed,

Dr. Jerome Marshall White