Insights from Prison: Follow-up from NM

Posted by Anna Debenham, July 22, 2017

At the end of a 10 week program I give out feedback forms. Sometimes I get them back and sometimes I don’t. One got returned last night I wanted to share. I think you’ll agree he’s doing great! I won’t write out the whole form, but a couple things stood out…..

Question 4: What impact has this understanding had on the outlook of your life?

“It’s had a huge impact. I’m not looking outside for ——to make me “ok”. I know the outside world is not where my “ok-ness” comes from. I know I’m going to be “ok” because I am “ok”. In prison I’m “ok”, right now I’m “ok”.

Question 5: How has this class impacted your relationship with others (family, friends, fellow inmates, guards)?

“Well, this is where the major change/paradigm shift took place. In my head I still sometimes have racist, hateful thoughts about people who are “bad”, “different” but I don’t feel the hate anymore because I let the thoughts go.”

Anything else you’d like to add?

“Thank you for providing a place to BE. I have been working to change, and you have really helped that happen by providing a safe place to bring up unpopular thoughts without judgement. The 3 Principles have the power to transform. My D.O.C file had me listed as a; white supremacist / gang member. Today I’m not that label.”

Feeling grateful for the people I get to work with and remembering EVERYONE has the possibility to change.