Frequently Asked Questions about the End Violence Project
When was the first program and where?
The first program was launched at SCI-Graterford (Pennsylvania) in 1990. To date, we have offered the program in five states: Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Massachusetts, as well as in Jamaica, West Indies.
How are program participants selected?
Our program is volunteer-delivered within the constraints of the various DOCs (Department of Corrections). As such it is viewed as an extra-curricular activity in the institutions where it is offered. This means that incarcerated persons choose voluntarily to participate or not, and are free to leave the program at any time.
Our six-month leadership program is voluntary.
All who participate have a strong commitment to living a positive life and ending the cycle of violence and incarceration. Through the program, they develop a new mindset and learn a variety of skills that prepare them for a life dedicated to the improvement of society. Graduates of our program often become community leaders, sparking new conversations and possibilities in their families and neighborhoods.
How many people have participated in your program?
The number of participants varies by year and the program has been running continuously for over 20 years. Class sizes range from 15 to 50 participants. We do not have exact numbers of participants but in general we consider incarcerated persons to have successfully completed the program if they attend approximately 85% of classes during the six-month program. Aside from personal choice to continue, there are other factors that impact completion rates, such as early release, prison-to-prison transfer, in prison logistical concerns and so forth.
How many program leaders do you have?
It varies with the number of facilities in which we are delivering our program. There is a minimum of two leaders per facility. We currently have leaders in four different facilities: SCI-Graterford and SCI-Chester, both in Pennsylvania. We are in the process of launching our programs in two women's minimum security institutions in the Boston, Massachusetts, area.
What support do program participants have once they leave the prison environment?
Outside of prison, participants are encouraged to connect with our community leaders and engage in our Freedom By Design post-release leadership training program in Community Correction Centers (CCC). Through this program we also help participants with basic needs such as obtaining transportation passes, clothing, proper identification and finding employment.
How are monetary donations used to facilitate your programs?
Your monetary donation supports program participants and leaders in multiple ways. We have printing and photocopying costs for course materials which get distributed to program participants. We also pay for transportation passes and ongoing leadership training for our Freedom By Design (outside of prison) program participants. And while our program leaders and board members are not paid, they occasionally incur travel expenses for requisite meetings and training events. Your contribution supports these activities as well.
I am interested in leading prison programs. What do I need to do?
We are constantly looking to expand our program leadership body. We have a board member who is accountable for expansion; however, you should first contact us via email with your interest. Include as much information as possible and someone will reply to you.
I am a graduate of Landmark Education interested in leading programs. What do I need to do?
If you know one of our board members, feel free to contact them directly, or send us an email stating your interest. We are eager to expand the leadership in our program and look forward to exploring new possibilities with you.
I am interested in bringing your program to a prison in my area. What do I need to do?
We are constantly looking to expand the numbers of prisons in which our program is delivered. We have a board member who is accountable for expansion; however, you should first contact us via email with your interest. Include as much information as possible and someone will reply to you.
I am a student or researcher interested in talking to a graduate of your program. Whom should I talk to?
While we appreciate your interest, we do not usually have access to graduates once they are released from prison. On a case-by-case basis, you may be able to visit a Community Correction Center (CCC) where our Freedom By Design program is delivered, and connect with participants that way. We also have several community leaders who are graduates of our programs. Feel free to contact them via the Community Leaders page.
The first program was launched at SCI-Graterford (Pennsylvania) in 1990. To date, we have offered the program in five states: Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Massachusetts, as well as in Jamaica, West Indies.
How are program participants selected?
Our program is volunteer-delivered within the constraints of the various DOCs (Department of Corrections). As such it is viewed as an extra-curricular activity in the institutions where it is offered. This means that incarcerated persons choose voluntarily to participate or not, and are free to leave the program at any time.
Our six-month leadership program is voluntary.
All who participate have a strong commitment to living a positive life and ending the cycle of violence and incarceration. Through the program, they develop a new mindset and learn a variety of skills that prepare them for a life dedicated to the improvement of society. Graduates of our program often become community leaders, sparking new conversations and possibilities in their families and neighborhoods.
How many people have participated in your program?
The number of participants varies by year and the program has been running continuously for over 20 years. Class sizes range from 15 to 50 participants. We do not have exact numbers of participants but in general we consider incarcerated persons to have successfully completed the program if they attend approximately 85% of classes during the six-month program. Aside from personal choice to continue, there are other factors that impact completion rates, such as early release, prison-to-prison transfer, in prison logistical concerns and so forth.
How many program leaders do you have?
It varies with the number of facilities in which we are delivering our program. There is a minimum of two leaders per facility. We currently have leaders in four different facilities: SCI-Graterford and SCI-Chester, both in Pennsylvania. We are in the process of launching our programs in two women's minimum security institutions in the Boston, Massachusetts, area.
What support do program participants have once they leave the prison environment?
Outside of prison, participants are encouraged to connect with our community leaders and engage in our Freedom By Design post-release leadership training program in Community Correction Centers (CCC). Through this program we also help participants with basic needs such as obtaining transportation passes, clothing, proper identification and finding employment.
How are monetary donations used to facilitate your programs?
Your monetary donation supports program participants and leaders in multiple ways. We have printing and photocopying costs for course materials which get distributed to program participants. We also pay for transportation passes and ongoing leadership training for our Freedom By Design (outside of prison) program participants. And while our program leaders and board members are not paid, they occasionally incur travel expenses for requisite meetings and training events. Your contribution supports these activities as well.
I am interested in leading prison programs. What do I need to do?
We are constantly looking to expand our program leadership body. We have a board member who is accountable for expansion; however, you should first contact us via email with your interest. Include as much information as possible and someone will reply to you.
I am a graduate of Landmark Education interested in leading programs. What do I need to do?
If you know one of our board members, feel free to contact them directly, or send us an email stating your interest. We are eager to expand the leadership in our program and look forward to exploring new possibilities with you.
I am interested in bringing your program to a prison in my area. What do I need to do?
We are constantly looking to expand the numbers of prisons in which our program is delivered. We have a board member who is accountable for expansion; however, you should first contact us via email with your interest. Include as much information as possible and someone will reply to you.
I am a student or researcher interested in talking to a graduate of your program. Whom should I talk to?
While we appreciate your interest, we do not usually have access to graduates once they are released from prison. On a case-by-case basis, you may be able to visit a Community Correction Center (CCC) where our Freedom By Design program is delivered, and connect with participants that way. We also have several community leaders who are graduates of our programs. Feel free to contact them via the Community Leaders page.