The Peaceful Families Prison Program
A Trauma-Focused Program for Incarcerated Women and Gender-Diverse People
Description: The Peaceful Families Program PFP was created in 2015 as part of the recognized need to help justice involved women to address:
- Impact of trauma on their lives
- Reduce behavior challenges within the prison setting, and
- Decrease recidivism among those who are released back into the community
Originally implemented as a pilot project, the Peaceful Families Program was developed using the Family Peace Initiatives “River of Cruelty” approach to trauma intervention. It has expanded from the first original group of 9 women to 3 groups that each meet 2 times per week for 2 hours per session.
PFP is a voluntary, 6-month program that operates in a closed group fashion. Groups consist of 8 to 12 women. Participants can be referred by corrections staff, or personally request the opportunity to get involved. There is currently a waiting list at the Topeka Correctional Facility for entrance into PFP.
Curriculum Description
- Designed as a strong mix of cognitive-behavioral and affective components
- 8 sections; generally 3 weeks per section
- Focus on the River of Cruelty
Facilitation Style and Skill
- Emotionally capable to lead by example
- Trauma-informed
- Understand Gender-Responsivity
Philosophical Approach
- Compassion, Integrity, and Expertise
What people are saying about the Peaceful Families Program:
“I feel relief, deep healing, love, trust, I am good enough, and not angry… This groups has been the best thing that has happened for me.”
—A Graduate
“This class has taught me to see how the action or words of others can trigger the shadows that drag me into that “River of Cruelty”. Instead of acting in a negative way… I know I can deal with those people and things they say or do to me in a positive way.”
—A Graduate
“For the past 10 years, I have helped facilitate a self-help group at the women’s prison in Topeka, Kansas…All but a few of its members have experienced debilitating levels of emotional, physical, and sexual trauma.
Some of the members have taken the Peaceful Families class. I don’t know what goes on over there, but I do know that the program’s graduates come back different. They are calm, thoughtful, ready to rebuild, and anxious to do something positive with their lives.”
—Dave Ranney, volunteer,
Reaching Out From Within Program
“Every person on my caseload who has ever been involved with Peaceful Families has commented on how much they have had to “dig deep” inside themselves. This not only serves as a vehicle for introspection and self-exploration but has had the effect of making them more willing and open to further self-exploration.
In my opinion, this curriculum gives a multi-layered gift to the individual and in turn the facility by giving them the opportunity to begin to learn and secondarily, whetting their appetites for more growth.”
—Deb Alexander, Unit Team Leader, KDOC