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  1. Jericho Circles in 2012: An Update

    Last year we took steps toward expanding the scope and effectiveness of what we do.  This year we have been consolidating and deepening our understanding of what men on the inside need and the skills they need to pass on their gifts within and beyond the institutional environment.

    Highlights:

    • · On February 11th and 12th of this year JCP sponsored an Outside-Inside Training at the First Parish United Universalist Church in Canton, MA and the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Norfolk.  The workshop focused on developing skills for both outside facilitators and inmates interested in “parts work.” The two-day workshop, attended by 13 outside men and 25 inside men was led by Bill Wich (Florida) and Jerry Kahn (Wisconsin).
    • · On March 24 and 25th JCP offered a two-day prison intensive at Bay State Correctional Center.  This workshop was our 7th at the institution where Jericho has offered men’s circles since 2002. Facilitators for this workshop came from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine and Florida.
    • · On May 12 of this year the Jericho Circle Project was one of the sponsors of an event at Suffolk University in Boston entitled “Healing After Crime: The Promise of Victim-Offender Dialogue in the Wake of Violent Crime.”  Much of the work done in our prison circles prepares men to take personal responsibility for their actions and develop a deeper understanding of their role in repairing the damages of their crimes.  Hearing directly from victims at this event was a powerful reminder that crime begins with injury and healing of all parties is a critical process.  Kim Book from Delaware’s “Victims Voices Heard” keynoted the day with moving contributions from both victims and former offenders in the Boston community.
    • · In June, facilitators from JCP will travel to the California State Prison in Sacramento (New Folsom) to support the work being done at the 21st Inside Circle Training.  This 4-day workshop has served as an important model for the development of work done in prisons through JCP. Over the years, Inside Circle Trainings have served as a training ground for men doing important healing work behind bars.
    • In July 13-15, 2012, JCP will be bringing their eighth prison workshop to FMC Devens, a Bureau of Prisons facility in Ayer, MA.  This weekend will mark the 20th intensive offered by  JCP since its founding in 2001. As in previous years, the weekend will feature a purification lodge offered by the Native American inmate community in support of the work that Jericho offers to inmates from many different regions of the country.
    • In October of this year, two men from JCP will be presenting a workshop at the Annual Meeting of the Center for Self Leadership in Providence, Rhode Island.  The workshop, “Working with Parts in Prison: An Experiential Workshop,” will be led by Bill Wich and Steve Spitzer and will introduce the Internal Family Systems community to the type of work that offers inside men an opportunity to develop a more complete understanding of their interior landscape and their potential for change.
  2. Jericho Circles in 2010: An Update

    Last year we took steps toward expanding the scope and effectiveness of what we do.  This year we have been consolidating and deepening our understanding of what men on the inside need and how to better serve them as they return to the community.  Highlights:

    • · In March of this year JCP co-sponsored a workshop at Suffolk University in Boston entitled “Wearing the Scarlet Letter: The Challenges and Possibilities of CORI Reform”  Panelists discussed the legal and social context of reentry as it relates to the transitional process from prison to community.
    • · Our 5th Weekend Intensive Training (2-days) was held at Bay State Correctional Center, March 14-15.  Facilitators for this workshop came from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Florida, Wisconsin and California.
    • · Our 6th Weekend Intensive Training (3-days) was held at FMC Devens, June 25-27.  This workshop was facilitated by men from Massachusetts, Rhode Island,  New York and New Jersey.
    • · Our 2nd Weekend Intensive Training at MCI-Norfolk is scheduled for September  25-26.
    • This year, as in the past, men from our facilitators teams traveled to Wisconsin to support our brothers in the T.R.U.T.H. project (To Restore Understanding Trust and Hope).  Our collaboration with T.R.U.T.H. gives members of our team greater insight into and appreciation of the power of our inside work.
    • · A new volunteer-based project at the Dallas County Jail entitled the “New Tools Circle” has been inspired by JCP. This program applies the approaches and techniques developed in our prison circles to men serving time in Texas.
  3. August 2009 TRUTH Intensive

    Two men from Jericho Circle were on staff for the August TRUTH Project Intensive at the Racine Correctional Facility in Racine, WI. This was the third Wisconsin Intensive supported by Jericho men.

  4. May 2009- JCP Submits Proposal to DOJ

    On May 21, Jericho Circle submitted a proposal to develop the Jericho Reentry Project.  The proposal for a $300,000 grant from the Department of Justice calls for community circles and mentors to support returnees. Jericho hopes to reduce recidivism through this effort.

    Update: No proposals submitted to this program were funded in Massachusetts.

  5. May 2009 – Massachusetts DOC Agreement

    JCP has arrived at an agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Correction to develop a pilot program at Pondville Correctional Center. This program begins with the creation of a Jericho Circle at the institution that will be paired with a Community Circle in the Boston area.  The Community Circle will enable JCP to develop a reentry initiative that supports men being released in the months ahead.  The community circle will have both a group and an individual mentoring component to assist men who have done work inside with their reintegration.  This collaborative efforts represents a turning point in closing the circle between the inside work and support services in the community.

    Update: Our program at Pondville Correctional Center is no longer in operation.