IOW Adult Insight Program

01/29/2026

Hello Everyone!

We have been contracted again to teach at Avenal State Prison, North Kern State Prison, and Pelican Bay State Prison. We had hoped to be at a few more institutions but other programs were awarded. Collectively, every institution should have wonderful programs. Encourage your loved ones to sign up, even in Level 4s. It can be frustrating to get in programs, but they should not give up. I have had quite a few students join from waiting lists, as we always have students who move or drop for a variety of reasons.

With that said, I have witnessed so many wonderful transformations in our IOW classes. It is a safe space to reflect on life, develop critical thinking skills, and prepare for release or parole hearings. No point in coming home, until you are sure you'll never go back again. Does that sound harsh? These are the frank discussions our students themselves engage in, as well as love, children, self-love, shame, guilt, forgiveness, anger vs rage...there is no topic we shy away from.

Here are some quotes for your own reflection:

"Grief forces you to unpack and examine things"

"I'm afraid right now, but what I want to be is..."

"If I had known better, I would have done better"

Reflection is always better when you write them down, vomit style, meaning just let it all pour out as is. Sometimes thinking about things only, makes our head just spin with worry, regret, doubts. Writing releases these.

Be brave...try it!
- Ms. Roberta

11/08/2025

As your loved one prepares to come home, what are you doing to prepare for their return? Healing from trauma, learning to sustain loving relationships through positive communication and how to break negative family cycles are just a few things our students learn through our prompts, discussion, groups, and writing. Sometimes we use quotes to inspire us. What would you write as a response to one of the following? Don't try to say what it means, rather how does it makes you feel or remember and it could be good or bad, that doesn't matter as long as it is honest. If you are brave, you can share here, or write privately. We don't worry about spelling or grammar or rules...we just write. Try one!

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” —Helen Keller, author

“Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create.” —Oprah Winfrey

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” —James Baldwin

Send a message to learn more

10/14/2025

Hello everyone! We just graduated classes at PBSP, CIM, ASP, and KVSP. We are on a break right now 😭
We would like to expand so fingers crossed we will be able to our next round of funding. I also promise to post more!