Writing is therapeutic
Writing heals. It inspires. It liberates.
Lifestyle educator Karen Cangialosi notes: “Writing is not only a salve but often a tool that opens our minds and hearts to things that are deep inside us.”
Journaling is especially important for prisoners, former offenders and their families. It provides a safe place for expression, encourages honest communication and analysis of thoughts, brings about feelings of wholeness, increases self-awareness, and even improves health. In short, it’s therapeutic.
For prisoners and former offenders, journaling can help them more fully realize their human potential and value as a person. And for their families, it can aid them in dealing with the blame, shame and anger associated with having a loved one in prison.
Lifestyle educator Karen Cangialosi notes: “Writing is not only a salve but often a tool that opens our minds and hearts to things that are deep inside us.”
Journaling is especially important for prisoners, former offenders and their families. It provides a safe place for expression, encourages honest communication and analysis of thoughts, brings about feelings of wholeness, increases self-awareness, and even improves health. In short, it’s therapeutic.
For prisoners and former offenders, journaling can help them more fully realize their human potential and value as a person. And for their families, it can aid them in dealing with the blame, shame and anger associated with having a loved one in prison.
Through the Bars
offers a variety of workshops that utilize writing, journaling and storytelling to aid individuals affected by incarceration in discovering, addressing and recovering from issues that impact them.
Did you know...
...there are more people in prison in the United States than in any other country in the world?
2.3 million people are in America's prison or jails.
5 million are on probation or parole.
90 percent of those incarcerated will return home to the community at some point.
2.3 million people are in America's prison or jails.
5 million are on probation or parole.
90 percent of those incarcerated will return home to the community at some point.
Can you believe...
...women are going to prison at a faster rate than men?
They constitute the fastest growing sector of America's prison population.
More than 200,000 women are in U.S. prisons or jails and more than one million are on probation or parole.
80 percent of incarcerated women are mothers and 75 percent of women have children under 18.
They constitute the fastest growing sector of America's prison population.
More than 200,000 women are in U.S. prisons or jails and more than one million are on probation or parole.
80 percent of incarcerated women are mothers and 75 percent of women have children under 18.
Startling Facts
Nearly three million children have a parent in prison.
Children with parents in prison are invisible victims and serve a silent sentence all their own.
Typical feelings children with incarcerated parents experience include loneliness, anger, isolation and shame, and their sense of security and trust is shattered.
Children of prisoners also face the trauma of loss, which puts them at risk of poor physical and mental health, emotional and behavioral difficulties, and social and academic failure.
Children who can visit their incarcerated parents may suffer from the pains of separation or become traumatized by the conditions of prison.
Children who can't visit their parents in prison may feel a sense of abandonment.
Children who can visit their incarcerated parents may suffer from the pains of separation or become traumatized by the conditions of prison.
Children who can't visit their parents in prison may feel a sense of abandonment.
Over half of all mothers and fathers in state prison had no personal visits with their children since they were admitted.
Most prisons are located in rural areas of the state.
For families without cars, travel can be extremely complicated since major railways and bus lines take you only partway to prisons.
It may be nearly impossible for elderly caregivers to travel these distances with young children.
Most prisons are located in rural areas of the state.
For families without cars, travel can be extremely complicated since major railways and bus lines take you only partway to prisons.
It may be nearly impossible for elderly caregivers to travel these distances with young children.
Prison visitation policies can serve as barriers to maintaining
relationships, especially with children.
Visiting rooms are open only certain hours during weekdays, generally when children are in school.
relationships, especially with children.
Visiting rooms are open only certain hours during weekdays, generally when children are in school.
Loved ones can be subject to uncomfortable searches and cruel treatment by corrections personnel.
Financial support for prisoners can be exhorbitant and often place an extra burden on loved ones.
Children who have a parent in prison are more likely than other children to end up in the juvenile system or incarcerated as adults.
Financial support for prisoners can be exhorbitant and often place an extra burden on loved ones.
Children who have a parent in prison are more likely than other children to end up in the juvenile system or incarcerated as adults.
Through the Bars
Workshops for Individuals Impacted by Incarceration
P. O. Box 473754
Charlotte, NC 28247-3754
877.479.5471
info@throughthebars.com
Workshops for Individuals Impacted by Incarceration
P. O. Box 473754
Charlotte, NC 28247-3754
877.479.5471
info@throughthebars.com
