You see them, the hot pink uniforms, escorted to and from chow and meds. You know, those few outside in the 95 degree heat because they have to get their fresh air when they can.
It’s no secret; we all carry some form of mental, emotional, or psychological baggage.
However, what differentiates every individual is how they manage to cope with it, the grief, fear, love, longing, shame, and guilt. Tangible weights no woman should be made to carry alone.
For far too many years, program failures were simply “punished” by being smothered with rule violation write-ups which ultimately resulted in them having their privileges taken away, a situation that is called “C/C Status” and designated to wear hot pink uniforms. It is a distorted belief system that discourages them, resulting in an increase in broken windows, fighting, and substance abuse. Their self-defeating behaviors had them rooted on the proverbial merry-go-round of self-sabotage.
As sure as the world changes around us, so must we change the way in which we approach rehabilitation.
In July, the C/C pilot program, a program for prisoners who have had their privileges taken away due to penalties, was activated at Central California Women’s Facility.
The voluntary, eight-week program is held on the general population facility yards Monday and Tuesday evenings from 5:45-7:45 p.m. The program focus is on substance abuse, anger management, criminal thinking, family relationships and conflict resolution.
On the first day of class, most of the ladies, dressed in hot pink, admitted to attending for the sole purpose of getting off C/C Status early. There was so much resistance and hostility.
However, by the second week there was a remarkable shift; the group had transformed drastically as every participant was eager, willing, and open to maximizing the program to their greatest potential.
As so happens, the recipe of trauma for most incarcerated women is universal: substance abuse, anger, self-esteem, acceptance, love, and belonging.
As a facilitator and executive body member with the upcoming Live, Learn, and Prosper Program, I must admit it has been an honor to be given the opportunity to sit down next to these women and to get to know them on an intimate level.
There is great potential in this C/C rehabilitation program. I have no doubt that upon graduating from this program the women will be confident and comfortable in their abilities to rise above any future adversities they may face. One participant remarked, “Before, I would fight and not consider the consequences. Today, I am a different woman and I owe my growth to this program.”
Make no assumption; aftercare is essential and many need it after the program.
A participant stated, “I am tired of the life I’ve been living. I want another program after we graduate from this one.”
Senior prison administrator P. Cerrillo, Correctional Counselor III, has assured all participants that after successful completion their needs will be assessed and they will be given priority placement into the programs that best suit their individual needs.
It’s one thing to face the ugly truth about yourself when no one is watching, but it’s something else altogether when you’re able to use these shameful experiences to encourage and motivate others in your community.
Thanks in large part to our prison administration, no stone will be left unturned in our quest to help the women of Central California Women’s Facility shine bright as the diamonds they are.
Congratulations graduates. Ladies, you’re worth it!