Goodwood Prison Workshop Dec 2004 Report. Introduction. During the five years of its existence there has been a desire to bring the healing of memories workshop to the prison population.  Throughout this period there were a number of occasions where presentations were made to prison inmates and staff both in the United States and  in South Africa.  We were invited by the acting head of the prison, Mr Johny Jansen to address separately staff and inmates.  Subsequently we were invited to run a 3 day workshop for inmates  from a number of prisons who were attending a course on restorative justice. Although by no means accounting for all crime, it was our contention that a significant percentage of inmates had been both victims and perperators in their lives.  The Institute's experence suggests that the healing of memories methodology would create a “safe” environment where offenders could explore their past at a “heart” rather than a “head” level.   Whereas the restorative justice initiative focused on ideas the healing of memories operated at an emotional and spiritual level.   Also in a modest way healing of memories interventions seek to break the chain that turns vctims into perperators by confronting and begining to let go of the poison victimised people carry within their hearts. A number of the prisoners said that it was the first time in their lives they had had an opportunity to tell their life stories. 2. Facilitation: Fr Michael Lapsley led the workshop over three days from 30 November – 2nd December 2004. Other facilitators were Messrs Mongezi Mngese, Stanley Abrahams, Juanita Muguni and Dick Herbert. 3.  There were 25 participants: 4. Expectations: The following are some of the expectations from the participants. What I would like to learn from the programme is to know myself better. Hope to be healed so as to help my victims heal too when I am out of prison. Come to the workshop hoping to find solution to my past. Learnt a lot about restorative justice, Want to find healing within myself and help my victims towards healing. Searching for the inner peace within myself. Would like to know more about healing. Why is it necessary? To learn more about how to deal with pain. Would like to reconcile with my victim’s family. To heal their wounds.  Also the bad memories of killing my girlfriend. How to let go that pain. How to share it with both my family, hers and friends. How to go about correcting where I had done wrong. How this workshop can help me leave prison a better person. As my mother abandoned me at the early age of my life – would like to learn how to deal with these bad memories. Also how to reconcile with her and the rest of the family. Hope to have peace within myself An understanding of deeper and intense meaning pain and hurt. Also how to assist others who have the same issues. Would like to learn to admit when I have wrong others. Would like to learn to forgive myself of my wrongs. Hope the workshop will help me look more positive in life. Wish to learn how to undo the pain I have caused my family and the community. 4. Stanley Abrahams wrote: The Goodwood Correctional Services Prison, a yellow laminated sprawling institution. The correctional service personnel met our entry into this facility with friendly greetings. Our first admission to this prison facility was also the first Healing of Memories workshop that would be offered to inmates. It was a late December day, the temperature high in the 30 degrees Celsius. Before entering the actual prison section, we were asked to wait in the visitors room, until the chaplain of the prison came to accompany us into the section the of the prison where the workshop was to be held. The khaki clad men and women staff, all welcomed us in a friendly way. Then, a long walk through those long narrow corridors, just passing along the administrative section, offices with personnel at their desks. The presence of officials in khaki neat uniform was felt despite the fact that they seem to know their job with out any display of intimidation, as it was the case in the past. I noticed as we were walking those long corridors, that there was no clanking of keys at all. The doors to each section would be opened hydraulically. This operated by the wader at computer-screened points. Each door would swing open, and then would proceed through another long passage; at this stage we began meeting inmates as we pass through different sections. Most inmates were wearing an orange and black (circles written correctional services) overall uniforms. Others were wearing a black trousers and white shirts. All these inmates exchanged friendly greetings as we enter each section on our way to Section C As I have stated earlier on, that this was the first healing of memories workshop – first of its kind offered in any prison for inmates in South Africa. Our director – Fr Michael referred to it as ‘Historical event’. Over the years since its inception after the TRC, IHOM have been conducting these workshops locally, nationally and internationally.  Now arose after much planning and preparations, the institute finally conquer the realisation to serve as wounded healers within the prison walls. The workshop itself was lead by Fr Michael Lapsley, which was met with such an amazing responses by the inmates and officials alike. Here was given an opportunity for the participants to tell their stories in a safe space. This act of story telling with the gentle guidance of the facilitators was nothing short of a miracle. Those pent up memories of pain, hurt and guilt could be told with the absence of willing and non-judgemental listening ears. From the creative drawing, came the mopping journey that evokes the emotions and feelings of the participants. And hope for forgiveness. Of course the creative drawing is always the catalyst and map to focus memories of the past, to draw out the pain that had been suppressed for so long. I that safe space, the importance of confidentiality and empathic listening the feelings will come out. Those are the feeling of anger, pain, struggle, guilt, shame etc. The letting go of the baggage that had been left in our memories, now it was being released. In that story telling time, its balm of hope entered the bitterness and started the healing and wholeness. Take one step at a time. After the main group introductions, the facilitators broke into small groups with the participants. The small groups moved to various parts of the complex. So we sat as usual in circles and the story telling began. The clay exercise opened world of creativity and new possibilities. Already, as the stories were related one notices a sense of relief. The participants are lightening up of the main feelings of pain. Responses such as, ‘ now I feel so much better after the opportunity to tell my story”. ” Thank you for listening with such care”. ‘ I feel I have been released from my pain, a personal trip, deeply thankful.” “ Interesting workshop, great that you could listen to my and others stories. Over come a lot of my past bad experiences. Feels happy”. “Excellent workshop, I was not the only one keeping the poison’s more inmates could participate. There is much hatred and pain amongst the prisoners. ‘ “ Feels relieved through telling my story”. Our reunion six weeks later was met with much excitement and joy. The healing process continues, responses were positive. Inmates informed us, they had written letters to family and friends seeking contact and the opportunity for forgiveness. We pray that the workshop and its purpose of healing the brokenness will continue to bear fruit. What we do know is that we have expanded and deepened our relationships beyond those prison walls. 5. Theme of the celebration: Rising from ashes. Burning of baggages Prison choir Presentations by the five small groups Song by Shaun Reading by Moegsien Poem by Isaac Song by Juanita Song by all – lean on me. Reading by Gavin Prison choir Presentation of Peace symbol Prison choir Closure. 6. Verbal evaluation of the workshop: The workshop was overwhelming – something opened inside me. Would love to explore more. A wonderful experience. I love the idea behind this workshop. Would like to attend any similar workshop by you people. Sense of relief. Really excited now. Did not know what to expect from. Much achieved in a short time. Three of experience thought me that I can heal others. The whole of three days we were open to one another. Would like more persons to be involved. I was negative about my feelings and now very positive. Released from the negative feelings. Self-discovery liberated and fell free. Very positive about the workshop. Was able to heal some of the memories of the past. Grateful to have volunteered to be part of this workshop.  Was pleased to have been listened to. I thought I was the only one going through my pains.  Good to have been able to opened up to each other. Big heep to use in prison. Best thing for me to be able to let go. To be in touch with pain. Found an ear to listen to what I had to say. Did not know how to get rid of bad feelings. Learnt how to deal with people who have bad feelings. Personal help is important. Best experience I ever had. Would like to be a facilitator so as to give back to others. Peace within myself. The idea of this workshop seemed impossible, but it worked well. We all have feelings. Something new developed within myself. It was an honour to be with people from outside prison. It has helped me to know myself better. Grateful to all of you. Everyone happy and glad to be able to be of help with one another. Historical moment for this workshop to be held in this situation. Overjoyed. End.