Incarcerated women often come from backgrounds with few opportunities for learning how to make positive decisions. Instead, they tend to react impulsively, flee difficult situation by abusing alcohol or other drugs, or simply float along, letting others (men, in many cases) decide for them. Institutionalization further erodes self-esteem and personal responsibility. Yet, even before her release, an inmate must decide where she will live and how she will earn a living and regain custody of her children.
Inmates who enroll in Better Decisions receive 12 hours of class instruction focusing on a 5-step decision-making model which teaches students how to:
separate facts from feelings in any given situation
set goals and brainstorm possibilities for achieving them
- evaluate possibilities before deciding
- develop an action plan for sticking to decisions
- practice changing self-image from "born to lose" to "born to choose."
Each student also receives a minimum of 8 hours of intensive 1-on-1 support from a trained volunteer mentor.
Better Decisions' goal is to increase the likelihood of a smooth, permanent transition back into society for these women. By developing skills that enhance self-sufficiency and locus of control, our students learn to make better choices and achieve greater control over their lives.
The annual training weekend for new volunteers is held in mid-September.
Once trained, the volunteer mentor meets with her inmate partner one hour
per week (for 8 weeks) in the afternoon or evening. A detailed manual guides
the volunteer and experienced volunteers provide support to newcomers.