PRISON OF PEACE

For the year ended December 31, 2024, the organization engaged in the following Significant Program Services activities:SKILLS PROGRAMS:All Prison of Peace skills programs are intense and highly interactive, engaging participants in discussions of theory and concept, teaching them new skills, and guiding them in the practice of engaging others in the application of the skills and processes taught.ORIENTATION CORRESPONDENCE COURSEThis course introduces prospective participants to selected concepts and skills of Prison of Peace. It comprises 8 modules, designed to be done one at a time, preferably on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. This gives participants time to think about the things theyve read and internalize them before moving on. Each module includes a Lesson (2 pages), at least one Reading (2 pages), and a worksheet of introspective questions (2 pages). Each Lesson provides background and information about the selected concept. Each Reading, written by one of our formerly incarcerated staff trainers, shares a personal perspective through their experiences related to using the concept that is the focus of the Lesson.Completing this course as a prerequisite to skills workshops greatly reduces the normal attrition experienced at the start of any new in-person program, saving the usually limited space for committed students.CIRCLE KEEPER WORKSHOPThis is the initial workshop in the Prison of Peace curriculum. It provides participants with an introduction to the theory/concepts of Restorative Justice, intensive skill building in the use of Active Listening, and the practice of Peace Circles as a tool for community building and a method for intervention in times of conflict. It provides the foundation for all other Prison of Peace Skills Workshops.PEACEMAKER I WORKSHOP Building on the skills learned in the Circle Keeper Workshop, this workshop provides participants with information and skills in planning, leading, and following up on Agreement Discussions with others so that they create durable Agreements. Participants are then provided skills to guide others into solving their own problems without providing opinions or advice.PEACEMAKER II WORKSHOP Building on the skills learned in the Peacemaker I Workshop, participants become more comfortable with the essential skills of problem-solving and work on understanding Emotions and their triggers to learn how to engage in the process of reprogramming trigger responses, allowing for responsive choices rather than reactive behaviors. MEDIATION SKILLS WORKSHOPThe Mediation Skills Workshop builds on the skills taught in our Circle Keeper and Peacemaker workshops. This skills workshop takes participants through a well-defined six-stage process in understanding and conducting mediation from beginning to end, using practical information and relevant, interactive scenarios that introduce participants to various potential outcomes at every step in the process. In addition, this workshop covers the various skills needed by mediators, including refreshers on the effective communication techniques learned in our prerequisite workshops, as well as discussions regarding the ethical conduct of mediators and explanations of interest-based conflict resolution designed to address the deep needs and injustices underlying conflict.