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Freedom to Choose is an education program that teaches decriminogenic* communication and life skills through a highly interactive, experiential education process based on the same principles and skills taught in the University of Santa Monica’s (USM’s) master’s degree program in spiritual psychology. The name of the workshop, “Freedom to Choose,” is derived from the work of Viktor Frankl, who was a psychologist interred in a concentration camp in World War II. It was originally created for people serving life sentences in prison, with the intention of supporting them in living more meaningful lives, whether or not they ever parole.
“Between stimulus and response there is a space.
In that space is the power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
- Viktor Frankl
The Freedom to Choose Workshop was originally developed by Drs. Ron & Mary Hulnick, and was adapted by Drs. David and Bonnie Paul for use in a highly accessible workshop for men and women of all cultures, education levels and faiths. Freedom to Choose teaches personal responsibility through experiential educational exercises, which include communication, relationship and conflict prevention skills. The beginning workshop is presented on two consecutive 8-hour days.
Freedom to Choose has many advantages and early results indicate it may be superior to currently available re-entry programs. It goes beyond traditional approaches that teach elements of cognitive-behavioral models and life skills training. Elements that distinguish Freedom to Choose:
- Emphasis on personal responsibility and making responsible choices.
- Establishes a context in which all people are treated as valuable human beings.
- Teaches healing work at the emotional level, which offers a specific skill set to heal the underpinnings of anger, thus preventing conflict.
- Training of “peer mentors” in advanced courses, with encouragement for them to teach the skills to their friends and family.
- Emphasis is placed on forgiveness as a foundational life skill.
*Decriminogenic is a term used to indicate that the skills promote inmates in making responsible choices, preventing conflict, and in many cases, healing the issues that were underneath the behaviors that resulted in incarceration. Unfortunately, most prisons, by default, have long-term inmates “teaching” the newer inmates what is best called “criminogenic” skills, or how to be a better “professional criminal.”
USM Prison Project: Freedom to Choose
The USM Prison Project is a service project offering Freedom to Choose Workshops to women incarcerated at Valley State Prison for Women, in Chowchilla CA, one of the largest women’s prisons in the world. It began in 2004, co-facilitated by Drs. David and Bonnie Paul, and has grown to serve upwards of 300 inmates in each of the prison workshops. It is offered in English with simultaneous Spanish translation. The large format offers benefits to the participants in terms of experiential learning, while at the same time affording obvious economies of scale.
Inmate graduates of the Freedom to Choose Workshops have the opportunity to participate in advanced workshops, and to support their peers by assisting them in learning the skills. The Mentor Program has grown to include approximately 150 inmates who enthusiastically volunteer to support their peers. Here’s what the Mentors have to say about being of service...
“My intention is to continue to learn and grow as I help others. This workshop has helped me in almost every area of my life and it has changed my life. I want others to have this life-changing opportunity and to realize that life can be good or even great again—and it starts here with us giving not only to ourselves but to each other.”
-Inmate, Valley State Prison for Women
In 2005 the USM Prison Project was nominated for a national award recognizing excellence in prison reform programs. A 22-minute documentary about this work won “Best Documentary” at the Emerging Filmmakers Showcase at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009.
The program has been offered twice a year since its inception at Valley State Prison for Women. We have recently been asked by prison staff to increase the availability of this work to more inmates, including men. We are currently raising funds in order to meet this request. Our intention is to expand Freedom to Choose to the other two women’s prisons in California (Central California Women’s Facility and California Institution for Women). We have already received letters from Freedom to Choose graduate Mentors who have been transferred to those facilities, asking for this expansion.
Freedom to Choose Santa Barbara County Community Program
Research shows that a significant percentage of those released from jail or prison will reoffend. The 2008 Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC) on Jail Overcrowding had the following recommendations: “The assumption that time in jail will motivate and enable a person to abandon his or her criminal behavior upon release is certainly called into question by a 70% recidivism rate. Further, the BRC believes that without investment in intervention, prevention, and recovery programs, no reasonable or affordable jail capacity will be sufficient to solve this problem.” (p.6, County of Santa Barbara, Sheriff’s Department, Blue Ribbon Commission on Jail Overcrowding. (2008). Final report and recommendations.
The Freedom to Choose Community Program is designed to assist men and women on probation and/or parole who are at high risk for re-offending. Included are their extended families, friends, and support systems. Based on the Freedom to Choose workshops at Valley State Prison for Women, participants can be expected to experience greater personal responsibility, accountability, less conflict, and more harmonious relationships, both in the work and home environments.
In March 2009, and May/June 2011 introductory 2-day Freedom to Choose workshops were successfully piloted to men and women on parole and probation (and their counselors) in Santa Barbara County, California. Based on the positive support from the participants, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff, and the Santa Barbara County Re-Entry Committee, the Freedom to Choose Foundation is seeking to fund a one-year Freedom to Choose Pilot Project in Santa Barbara County. The target population for this program will be adults considered at high risk for criminal offense or drug/alcohol relapse. Their family, friends and county support staff will also be invited to attend the courses, establishing a wide base of psychosocial support. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department has agreed to support the Freedom to Choose Foundation and assist in data collection to measure its effectiveness. The goals of the program include:
- Reduced recidivism.
- Increased public safety.
- Increased quality of life for the clients, their families and their community.
Additional goals include exploring the applicability of this work in family reunification and creating home and community environments that support people in becoming productive, responsible members of society.
“It’s a very clear demonstration that it’s possible, under extremely adverse conditions, to be more loving, more caring, more connected with one’s heart.
If it can happen there, what would it be like in any place?”
-David Paul, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Director
Results - USM Prison Project
Inmate participants at Valley State Prison for Women were queried six months after the program. 98% reported their lives have improved (p<0.001) and 91% experienced less conflict (p<0.001). Based on data from follow-up surveys, Freedom to Choose appears to reduce the risk for repeat offenses, and fosters long-term changes in participants. One measure of the effectiveness of this approach is reflected by the finding that 84% of the participants have taught the skills learned in the program to their friends and family (p<0.001).
What inmate participants from Valley State Prison for Women have to say...
“I am going to use this stuff in my personal life to communicate with my husband. What you can do inside of yourself really has the potential to change the world.”
“I enjoy the place of inner peace and freedom. I have been able to use tools for communicating to prevent violent situations in this violent environment. This workshop has been a huge stepping-stone in my journey. I treasure the inner strength and peace that I’ve found within those two days. I only wish it was something I could attend on a weekly basis. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“It has helped me and I didn’t think anything would help me.”
“It’s the best experience you’ll have in or out of prison.”
Results - Freedom to Choose Community Program
In March 2009 Freedom to Choose was successfully piloted with men and women on probation in Santa Barbara County, California. In a survey completed at the end of the introductory course, 94% of the participants indicated they would take the workshop again if offered, and would invite their family, friends or co-workers to attend. This is especially notable since 67% of these participants were required to attend this program, and seemed initially reluctant to participate.
What Santa Barbara County Community Program participants shared...
“I am proud of myself. What I just did right here… These are feelings that I used to ‘get loaded’ for. I wanted to run out of the room and sock something, but I didn’t. I sat on my hands, and I was able to be more with my feelings. WOW – I don’t want to escape anymore! I’ve been in a lot of therapy, and nothing’s got me to the point I’m at today… I’m feeling peace and I’ve never felt that before in my life.”
“I honestly couldn’t believe just how free I feel after the two-day process. It has shown me how to deal with my fear and broken pieces of my life’s path and be able to move on without any guilt.”
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