PROGRAM
Our
98% of the individuals in Kansas correctional facilities will be released into our communities. ROFW prepares its participants to engage in a nonviolent lifestyle while inside the prison walls, and to become self-reliant, contributing returning citizens upon their release.
BLUE BOOK CURRICULUM
We Believe...
...that no one has the right to hit anyone.
…in using alternatives to cope with stress and anger.
…in advocating a violence-free lifestyle.
…that, even though we are incarcerated, we can help those in need.
…in the importance of caring for humanity.
Our anchor ROFW program is “The Blue Book™” participant guide, which is a therapy-based curriculum, developed by and for incarcerated individuals. The Blue Book™ Program has been field tested for nearly four decades as the guide for weekly sessions of what has grown to include every prison in the state of Kansas and several prisons in North Carolina with the goal to expand The Blue Book™ nationally. The Blue Book™ material covers information on topics such as:
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Addiction
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Anger
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Child Abuse
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Communication
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Conflict
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Domestic Violence
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Respect
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Self
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Spirituality
Although no therapist is present, each section includes questions that evoke intense, intimate, invasive, thoughtful and reflective responses from members. ROFW members use their own experiences, concerns, fears and remorse to engage in a healing process for themselves and each other. There are respect and confidentiality standards that are essential to the level of trust that is required to render the program effective. The sense of shared ownership of the group sessions by each member also greatly contributes to the program’s effectiveness.
Each ROFW group meeting begins with a positive thought from every attendee. A trained Reaching Out From Within volunteer joins in the sharing session as asked, but individual groups are run by their own set of bylaws and elected officers. The organization’s beliefs are read aloud:
When sharing his insights with a Japanese delegation who had come to the United States to study successful reentry correctional programs like ROFW, former Lansing Correctional Facility Warden Rex Pryor noted: “It not only reduces recidivism, the members of the group become role models inside the walls as well. They contribute to a safer environment for our staff.”
The Blue Book
I am incarcerated. In 1975, I was sentenced to the Lansing State Penitentiary, that was fourteen years ago. It seems so distant, so long ago, and yet I will never forget walking through those prison gates with shackles, handcuffs and belly chains. The iron gate clanging shut as only a prison gate can. Then the feeling within my gut, a feeling so draining you knew the life had been sucked out of you. Finally, once the restraints were removed, we were able to shower and be deloused. We were issued a pillow, a pair of brogans, 2 pairs of jeans, 2 chambray shirts, 2 pairs of boxer shorts and 2 t-shirts, one blanket, 1 sheet and a pillowcase. I was then sent to my domicile, Cellhouse, and assigned my room. It wasn’t bad, a 5′ x 8′ cell with its own toilet and sink. Home!
That day I knew I was not going to enjoy my stay. That same day I knew I would have to make choices, choices that I would solely be responsible for, ones I would have to live with. It took a long time to find something positive within the walls of my prison. I vacillated between putting my life back together and not caring about anything. But somehow in my shell of loneliness and torment 1 was able to look at myself. I knew I needed to start putting the pieces back together. 1 made a choice of wanting to live and to live for the right reasons – to put the past behind, to deal with the hurt and poor image of myself and start growing in a positive direction.
I know change is possible not only for those incarcerated but for all those in need. I know we can put our lives back together. Yes, we need help; we need time, we need patience but we also need to learn skills that somewhere in our lives we never completely understood. Through sharing with others we find out we are not alone but some of our deepest problems and fears are shared by others. We find there is hope and most importantly people who care, truly care about people. Through sharing, caring and trusting we learn to grow and growth truly brings change, change as it is meant to be.