"Prisons & Punishment: An Unprecedented American Experiment." This 1996 symposium series, created in partnership with the Pennsylvania Prison Society, was held at the Eastern State Penitentiary on Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia. The event was chaired by former Mayor W. Wilson Goode. Speakers included Dr. James Gilligan, a prominent author, and journalist Linda Wright-Moore. The sessions looked at the core issues of prisons, punishment and the need to end violence; and other sessions looked at the issues of women in prison as well as youth violence.
The Leadership in Action Seminar Series (1990-95) captures the heart of the End Violence Project ... a commitment to foster, develop and promote the unique contribution of every individual towards ending violence. The program was created with a group of prisoners who were sentenced to life in prison (Lifers, Inc.) The program was presented as a seminar series for six months to the leaders of that community. Through their participation in the program they each took on projects in the area of drug awareness, AIDS awareness, music, arts, religion and youth at risk support. The program provided an extraordinary opportunity for the inmates to make a contribution to ending violence inside as well as outside the of prison walls.
The End School Violence Program was designed in partnership with Mrs. Jones (principal of Overbrook High School) and the participants of Leadership in Action Seminars. The nine month curriculum is presented by an End Violence Facilitator and a teacher as weekly discussion. During each session, the students examine various aspects of violence and its effects on the future of the individual, family members of the offender, the victim and family members of the victim. It also gives a realistic view of life in prison and its effect on the future of the prisoner. At the end of the program the students take on responsibility for ending violence in their own environment and schools. This program received the support of school superintendent, Dr. Constance Clayton, and was presented to six Philadelphia High Schools during 1992 and 1993.
The Leadership In Action Workshop, a two day workshop for the leaders of violence prevention of Philadelphia, was presented in partnership with the Operation Peace Philadelphia to generate breakthrough results in communication. The workshops were delivered at the Faculty Club of the University of Pennsylvania during 1994 and 1995.
Computer Training Classes were given at Community Corrections Centers #2 and #4 during 1998 and 1999. The coursework was funded with a grant from Union Benevolent Association of Philadelphia. Ten classes were given at each Center, and the course was repeated a second time at each Center. The course covered word processing, computer terminology, and an introduction to spreadsheets, digital photos, computer graphics and drawing. The instructor is an experienced computer prefessional and the students (residents of the Centers) were given certificates of completion.
To participate in the End Violence
Project, please contact: Mahin Bina, End Violence Project, Inc., P.O. Box 1395, Bryn Mawr PA 19010 ... (610)-527-2821
