A Gift of Listening for Hawaii’s Inmates

Abstract

“Restorative Justice as a Solution-Focused Approach to Conflict and Wrongdoing” facilitator training is a 12-week program designed to help inmates learn self-control and getting along with others. The total 24 hours of training are scheduled as two hour sessions for one evening each week, which covers topics such as listening skills development, using open-ended questions, resiliency development and protective factors, using communication for conflict resolution, restorative justice and forgiveness. The inmates are taught that effective facilitators are competent, self-aware people who listen carefully, and who exercise control when their emotions are triggered. They are also taught emotional intelligence skills. These skills include: “self-awareness; identifying, expressing and managing feelings; impulse control and delaying gratification; and handling stress and anxiety.” Emotional intelligence enables one to be aware of the feelings of others and to better manage relationships.