It makes my prison a happier place
Prisons: Young People
"Have you ever tried to have a long conversation with a 16 year old? On a normal visit, after half an hour or so, we'd run out of things to say. I'd find myself looking round the room and twiddling my thumbs. Your course has made things so much easier for us to talk."This course is designed to support young prisoners and their parents or carers. The aim is to strengthen the relationship and prepare them for the issues they will face when leaving prison.
The course is four days and usually lasts from about 10.00 to 14:00. Subjects covered include:
- Communication where we look at solving the difficulties we all find in communicating effectively with each other, but especially between parents and their children.
- STOP signs (Scoring Points, Thinking the Worst, Opting Out, Putting Down) and how we can avoid falling into the trap of acting in these negative ways.
- Resolving Conflict which is vitally important between parents and older children especially when both parties have had to deal with the effects of a prison sentence.
- Forgiveness. It is vitally important to understand the need to forgive each other for wrongs done in the past. Only then can parents and children move forward in their relationship.
We do need the prison to provide some support – see What the prison provides.