One-Day Training for Corrections Professionals
in
Emotional Literacy Skills for Prisoners

with Robin Casarjian, M.A.
Author of Houses of Healing: A Prisoner’s Guide to Inner Power and Freedom
Director of the Lionheart Foundation and The National Emotional Literacy Project for Prisoners

State-wide or regional trainings for more than 1500 correction professionals have been conducted in:

New Jersey Wyoming Alabama California (2) New York

South Carolina Virginia Florida (northern) Massachusetts Wisconsin (2) Mississippi

Hawaii Ohio Philadelphia Kansas Missouri

The Houses of Healing Emotional Literacy Training Program for Corrections Professionals is a one-day training presented by the author of the highly acclaimed book, Houses of Healing: A Prisoner’s Guide to Inner Power and Freedom. Published in 1995 and enthusiastically embraced by corrections professionals and prisoners alike, this book/curriculum is currently in use in hundreds of prisons nationwide and has become a powerful tool in rehabilitation.

In the training, participants can expect a new synthesis of theory, inspiration, and practical guidance. Ms. Casarjian presents concepts and techniques for emotional (re)habilitation and discusses approaches to integrating this work into the prison setting. This introductory training is intended for all who are involved in rehabilitative services in the corrections system: psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, mental health and substance abuse counselors, and clergy. All such professionals who have evaluated the program indicated that they would recommend it to others. (A separate half-day training is available for correctional officers.)

The Houses of Healing program deals directly with root causes of crime, violence, and addiction and offers a practical approach to emotional growth that speaks specifically to the challenges facing incarcerated men and women. The program supports prisoners in addressing issues such as childhood wounding, grieving, managing anger, and facing the impact of crime; it offers stress management techniques and healthy, practical coping strategies; and it deals in depth with the necessity of self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others -- subjects that are often overlooked and misunderstood despite the fact that they are essential to the cultivation of empathy and emotional and spiritual maturity.

LOCATION
Training are hosted at location determined by sponsoring prision/administration.


FEEDBACK FROM INITIAL TRAININGS:

Would you recommend this training program to others?

– unanimous YES from 55 New Jersey DOC mental health professionals and 60 Wyoming DOC participants

Was the information presented relevant to your needs/expectations?

-– yes, very appropriate. excellent presentation
– informative professionally and personally
– Excellent! I wish this could have been a 2 day conference
– Definitely!
– extremely interesting, helpful, useful
– exceeded expectations
– very interesting and insightful about ourselves and others
– Excellent perspective for personal growth.
– Above my expectations

How will you use the principles taught in this program?

– In groups. Much of the material helpful for work with individuals as well.
– Perhaps not discrete Houses of Healing group - but certainly integrate into existing group/individual sessions.
– Implement this model as well as integrate with other groups.
– By reading the book and employing it in all aspects of life.
– to address inmates in a psycho-educational group format
– To teach maximum security inmates to deal with themselves
– Initially I plan to incorporate many concepts into behavior mod & grief and loss classes
– I plan to incorporate the overall theory and principles into improving treatment groups.

What was your general attitude toward the course upon completion?

– excited about opportunity to provide better treatment to inmates
– Appreciate Robin’s synthesis into concise, eloquent and understandable/presentable book.
– The idea of forgiveness was a concept I had never considered while initially working in corrections, but what an important concept it is on so many levels i.e. the self, victim, perpetrator of crime, family of victims, etc.
– Gives me some hope that there can be positive outcomes-–_
– Motivated and inspired. A new perspective to promote growth
– Very pleased - better than I thought/would like more. Look forward to getting the training manual and reading the book.
_ Gratitude. All this good work was pulled together - and we can put it to use.
– Very satisfied with the training. I felt that I was ready to be more open minded about life and its various aspects.