She said while doing these simulations, she's seen probation officers steal from banks and plenty of people dodge jail time. Aikens attributes people’s behavior to one of two alternatives: either people cheat in the simulation because they’re in survival mode and trying to do what they can, or because people think it's OK to "act like a criminal."

“If the thought is that they’re all criminals, then we need to challenge that frame of thinking,” Aikens said. “Because if that’s what you’re thinking, then no one is ever going to be successful, and nobody is ever going to be welcome to the community, because you automatically think they’re out there to steal or rob. That’s not fair to the person because they already did their time.”

The toughest hurdle faced by many former inmates and also members of the simulation was having enough time to do everything they needed. With so many hoops to jump through, and so little resources at their disposal, every second was precious.