New Book "Counteract" Shares Stories of Redemption from Central America's Juvenile Prisons

Book traces how faith-based mentorship interrupts despair and replaces isolation with hope for incarcerated youth.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 3:51pm

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A new book titled "Counteract: Walking Alongside Incarcerated Youth in Central America from Prison to Purpose" by Greg Harris and Francisco Molina offers firsthand accounts of young people in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala who faced overwhelming challenges long before entering the justice system, but found redemption and hope through Christian mentorship programs behind bars.

Why it matters

The book provides a human perspective on issues like illegal immigration, deportation, public safety, and incarceration that often dominate headlines, highlighting how investments in rehabilitation can change individuals and strengthen entire communities.

The details

The book traces how faith-based guidance and mentorship programs inside juvenile detention centers in Central America are interrupting despair and replacing isolation with hope for incarcerated youth who were previously written off by society. The stories reflect the 25-year mission of the Counteract International organization to walk alongside vulnerable youth in the region.

  • The book "Counteract" was published on March 15, 2026.

The players

Greg Harris

The author of "Counteract" and the executive director of Counteract International.

Francisco Molina

The co-author of "Counteract" and a leader in Counteract International's juvenile justice work.

Greg Garrett

The founder of Counteract International, who wrote the foreword for the book.

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What they’re saying

“At a time when illegal immigration, deportation, public safety, and incarceration dominate headlines, this book offers realities behind the statistics. These stories of transformation show that investments in rehabilitation not only change individuals, but strengthen entire communities.”

— Greg Harris, Author of "Counteract" and Executive Director of Counteract International

What’s next

The book "Counteract" is available now in print and digital formats through major online retailers, with all proceeds going to support the ongoing work of Counteract International.

The takeaway

This book provides a powerful and humanizing perspective on the transformative impact that faith-based mentorship and rehabilitation programs can have on incarcerated youth in Central America, offering hope and a path to redemption for those previously written off by society.