A Gift of Listening for Hawaii’s INmates.

Source: (2006) Corrections Today. December: 58-61.

“Restorative Justice as a Solution-Focused Approach to
Conflict and Wrongdoing” facilitator training is a 12-week
program designed to help inmates learn self-control and
getting along with others. The total 24 hours of training are
scheduled as two-hour sessions for one evening each week,
which covers topics such as listening skills development,
using open-ended questions, resiliency development and
protective factors, using communication for conflict resolution,
restorative justice and forgiveness. The inmates are
taught that effective facilitators are competent, self-aware
people who listen carefully, and who exercise control when
their emotions are triggered. They are also taught emotional
intelligence skills. These skills include: “self-awareness;
identifying, expressing and managing feelings; impulse
control and delaying gratification; and handling stress and
anxiety.” Emotional intelligence enables one to be aware of
the feelings of others and to better manage relationships.(excerpt)