Houses of Healing: A Group Intervention for Grieving Women in Prison

• NCJ Number: 226278
• Journal: The Prison Journal Volume: 89 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2009 Pages: 46-64
• Author(s): Ginette G. Ferszt; Dawn Salgado; Susanne DeFedele; Mary Leveillee
• Date Published: March 2009
• Length: 19 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Freedom From Fear Foundation; Nursing Foundation of Rhode Island
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the impact of female inmates’ participation in a facilitator-led group on psychosocial (anxiety, depression, self-esteem) and spiritual well-being, with 45 percent of the women indicating multiple losses that included the death of a close family member or significant other and/or loss of children because of imprisonment.

Abstract

This study provides evidence of positive outcomes from the women’s involvement in the Houses of Healing program. Participants reported improved psychological well-being, increased self-esteem, increased hopefulness, a greater capacity to regulate emotions, and the use of positive coping skills in dealing with stressors. This increased sense of personal empowerment was found in reports of greater personal responsibility and accountability for past behavior, as well as in an increased sense of self-understanding, feelings of self-efficacy and mastery, and competence to meet future demands. Although the sample size for this study was small, significant clinical results warrant further investigation of the effectiveness of this program. “Houses of Healing: A Prisoner’s Guide to Inner Power and Freedom” (Casarjian, 1995) was adapted into a 12-week facilitated course. Participants were taught skills, including relaxation; mediation; cognitive reframing; stress management; and constructive ways to transform anger, resentment, unhealthy guilt, and shame. Attention was also given to life journeys from childhood to prison, including the impact of a lifetime of losses and unresolved grief. Methods used were reading, writing, group discussions, and facilitator-led exercises. The evaluation of the program used a convenience sample of 36 women (21 in the intervention group and 15 in the comparison group) recruited from a northeastern women’s medium-security correctional facility. The study was conducted from September 2004 through July 2, 2005. Semistructured interviews were conducted with program participants at the conclusion of the 12-week program. Instruments were administered to measure depression, self-esteem, spirituality, and anxiety. 2 tables, 2 figures, and 60 references