Beyond Violence+: A Prevention Program for Justice-Involved Women and Gender-Diverse People is the revised and expanded version of the evidence-based Beyond Violence (2013). The expansion includes additional sessions focusing on suicide prevention, parenting, relationships in prison, and gender diversity. This treatment program is specifically developed for those who have committed aggressive or violent crimes and are in prisons, jails, and community correctional settings.
The curriculum applies the Social-Ecological Model to understand violent impulses and their management. This same conceptual model is used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and by researchers affiliated with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). This four-level violence prevention model considers the complex interplay between individual, relationship, community, and societal factors. It addresses key issues that put women at risk of experiencing or perpetrating violence.
The Beyond Violence+ program consists of 27 group sessions. Facilitators receive the background information and content necessary to lead practical and effective sessions, and the Participant Workbook allows women to process, record, and refer back to their therapeutic group experiences. By the end of the program, participants will have new skills in communication, conflict resolution, de-escalation, decision-making, and self-soothing. They also will have a newfound understanding of themselves, their backgrounds, and the paths forward in their lives.
Table of Contents
Materials Needed for Each Session xxxv
Chapter 1
Part 1: Information for the Facilitator 1
The Therapeutic Environment 2
Before the Session 6
Tips on Conducting a Group Session 9
Part 2: Theoretical Foundation for the Beyond Violence+ Program 16
Introduction 16
The Social-Ecological Model 16
Pathways Theory 18
Relational-Cultural Theory 19
Empowerment Theory 20
Trauma Theory 21
Addiction Theory 24
Best Practices for Prevention Programs 27
Summary 28
Part 3: Research on the Beyond Violence Curriculum 29
A Lack of Studies on Interventions for Women Who Use Force 29
Implementation of Beyond Violence in a Women’s Prison 29
Summary 32
References 34
Chapter 2
Part 1: Women and Violence: Describing the Target Treatment Group 39
Introduction 39
Women Involved in the Criminal Justice System 41
Women Convicted of Violent Offenses 41
Violence in Women’s Prisons 46
Are Women Becoming More Violent? 47
Women’s Pathways to Crime in General 49
Women’s Pathways to Violent Crime 51
Part 2: Perspectives on Women and Violence 52
Gender Disparity in Violence 52
Summary 54
References 55
Sessions
Orientation Session: Introduction to the Program
Session Overview 63
Background Information for the Facilitator 64
Facilitator Welcome and Introduction 65
Group Introductions 67
Quiet Time 67
Overview of Program 68
Group Agreements 71
Session Format 75
Information To Share: Triggers 76
Activity: Five Senses 78
Activity: Breathing and Exhaling 79
Information To Share: Violence 81
Check-in 87
Discussion: What Would You Like To Get from This Group? 87
Information To Share: The Social-Ecological Model 88
Activity: Creating a Container 99
Survey 102
Between-Sessions Activity 105
Self-Soothing Activity: Palms Down, Palms Up 105
Closing 107
References 107
Part A: Self
Session One: Thinking Our Thoughts
Session Two: Feeling Our Feelings
Session Three: Violence and Trauma in Our Lives
Session Four: The Effects of Trauma
Session Five: Anger and Me
Session Six: The Risk of Suicide in Prison
Session Seven: Fostering Connection, Hope, and Meaning in Prison
Session Eight: Understanding Ourselves
Part B: Relationships
Session Nine: Our Families
Session Ten: Communication
Session Eleven: Power and Control
Session Twelve: Conflict Resolution
Session Thirteen: Our Children
Session Fourteen: Nurturing in Action
Session Fifteen: Caregiving over Time and with Others
Session Sixteen: Relationships in Prison
Session Seventeen: Everyday Actions in Our Relationships
Session Eighteen: Creating Our Relationships
Part C: Community
Session Nineteen: Our Communities
Session Twenty: The Importance of Safety
Session Twenty-One: Creating Community
Session Twenty-Two: The Power of Community
Part D: Society
Session Twenty-Three: Society and Violence
Session Twenty-Four: Creating Change
Session Twenty-Five: Transforming Our Lives
Session Twenty-Six: Honoring Ourselves and Our Community
Appendix 1: Ten Truths That Matter When Working with Justice-Involved Women 671
Appendix 2: Yoga Poses 677
Appendix 3: Handouts To Cut Out and Distribute 683
Appendix 4: The Women in the What I Want My Words To Do To You DVD 695
About the Author 701
About the Cover 703
