Two incarcerated authors. One extraordinary community. A book bringing stories of accountability, rehabilitation, and personal transformation beyond prison walls.
On October 7, 2026, an important moment in the journey of It Just Works: Real Stories & Behavioral Science From the Earned Living Unit unfolded on KARE 11 News.
Co-authors Brandon D. Cox and Jermaine F. Ferguson, incarcerated at MCF-Stillwater in Minnesota, had the opportunity to share the story behind their book and the community of men whose experiences inspired it.
For Crookd Crown Publishing, this was more than media coverage. It was an opportunity for voices often unheard outside correctional facilities to reach families, community members, educators, and people involved in conversations about rehabilitation.
WATCH THE KARE 11 FEATURE: IT JUST WORKS
What Is It Just Works?
It Just Works is a nonfiction book combining personal stories from incarcerated men with behavioral science and practical insights into rehabilitation, accountability, community, and personal growth.
Written by Brandon D. Cox and Jermaine F. Ferguson, the book explores life inside the Earned Living Unit (ELU) at Minnesota Correctional Facility–Stillwater.
The ELU emphasizes positive behavior, personal responsibility, mutual respect, productive routines, and opportunities for self-improvement.
Rather than discussing rehabilitation only through policies or statistics, It Just Works brings readers directly into the lived experiences of men navigating change from inside prison.
The stories are honest, sometimes uncomfortable, and deeply human.
They explore what it means to take responsibility for past decisions while making meaningful changes in the present.
The Men Behind It Just Works
Although Brandon D. Cox and Jermaine F. Ferguson are the authors of It Just Works, the book was never intended to be solely about them.
It was created to provide a platform for men within the Earned Living Unit to share their experiences, struggles, perspectives, and growth.
Contributing personal stories requires vulnerability, especially in an environment where showing emotion or acknowledging past mistakes can be difficult.
These men chose to share parts of themselves that the outside world rarely gets to see.
"Our names are on the cover. Their stories are why the book matters."
That statement captures the heart of It Just Works and the mission behind Crookd Crown Publishing.
Why the KARE 11 Interview Matters
The KARE 11 feature introduced a broader audience to the Earned Living Unit at MCF-Stillwater and the work described in It Just Works.
For Brandon and Jermaine, the opportunity carried special meaning.
While incarcerated, they cannot physically enter many of the spaces where conversations about correctional environments, rehabilitation, and community reintegration take place.
Through It Just Works, their stories—and the stories of other ELU residents—can still become part of those conversations.
The KARE 11 interview helped bring that possibility to life.
We extend our sincere appreciation to KARE 11, reporter Ian Russell, and the entire news team for approaching the story with care, professionalism, and a commitment to accurately representing the men and their experiences.
We are also deeply grateful to David Boehnke of IWOC for his continued encouragement, positive reinforcement, and support throughout this journey.
Most importantly, we thank every man who contributed to It Just Works and trusted us to help carry his voice beyond the walls.
It Just Works: Turning Stories Into Community Impact
The mission behind It Just Works continues beyond publication and the KARE 11 interview.
Crookd Crown Publishing launched a 100-book community sponsorship campaign to help place It Just Works into the hands of policymakers, corrections professionals, educators, and community leaders.
Community members can sponsor a copy for $15 and recommend someone they believe should receive the book.
Following the KARE 11 interview, two additional individuals stepped forward to sponsor copies, helping the message reach new audiences.
The book also supports a charitable giving commitment: 50% of net proceeds from It Just Works are designated for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and 50% for initiatives within the Earned Living Unit.
The goal is not simply to sell books. It is to turn storytelling into opportunities for learning, connection, and positive community impact.
A Story Still Being Written
It Just Works does not suggest that personal growth erases past harm or that rehabilitation is easy.
Instead, it asks readers to consider what accountability looks like when it becomes a daily practice.
What happens when individuals are encouraged to take responsibility, support one another, and build a healthier community?
What can we learn from the experiences of those doing that work inside correctional facilities?
These are the conversations Brandon D. Cox, Jermaine F. Ferguson, and the men of the ELU hope It Just Works will inspire.
The KARE 11 interview was a milestone, but the mission is far from finished.
We invite you to watch the feature, discover It Just Works, and share these stories with someone who may benefit from hearing them.
Watch the KARE 11 interview about It Just Works and the Earned Living Unit
Explore our books and mission at crookdcrownpublishing.com.
Real People. Real Stories. Real Change.
Crookd Crown Publishing — Books With Purpose.