To date, we have exceptionally strong anecdotal evidence that Freedom Project leads to dramatic reductions in violent behavior in prisoner participants and a lower rate of recidivism once prisoners re-enter the community.  This evidence is based on program participant testimonials and the feedback from our volunteers and staff.

Voices from Prison
Voices from Citizens & Correctional Community

How surprising to discover that the integrity I’m constantly seeking in the world would be found in —of all places -- a prison program!  Freedom Project models community that is based on openness and the commitment to support each other in living our highest values.  

Lin Rose
Bellevue, WA
(Participant, 9-day training for community involvement in prison-work)

How powerful to be taught Nonviolent Communication by ex-prisoners.  To witness [the presenter’s] story about his own transformation through NVC and to see him and his colleagues shine in their roles as facilitators and mentors in this practice was life-changing!  It gives me tremendous hope that not only rehabilitation is possible, but so is ending war and hatred.  I now have a model to meet hate with love as Martin Luther King preached -- and not just the NVC model -- but most importantly the model of these men who have courageously journeyed on the path toward nonviolence before me.

Noelle Remington
Seattle, WA
(Participant, NVC training in the community)

Thanks so much for an excellent training; my needs were met beyond expectation!  I learned and experienced first-hand how to slow down, build community and firm strong growth from the roots up.                        

Nini Burgess
Portland, OR
(Participant, 9-day training for community involvement in prison-work)

For those who believe that human beings labeled “dangerous” are unable to change, this workshop will prove otherwise.  In the three days of this training, I witnessed the capacity and willingness of prisoners who have committed grave offenses to speak with integrity and respond with empathy.  I watched a healing process that enabled prisoners to realize their own humanity and to own responsibility to themselves and to others.  I saw a space created where inmate-participants found enough strength, safety, and support to open up to themselves and change at a deep level.  If we truly want a peaceful world for ourselves and our children, we now have the tools to realize it.  This is not airy-fairy feel-good work.  It is effective, powerful and transformative; it is time for NVC trainings to be made available in all prisons so that ex-offenders can contribute in a healthy way to the communities they are being released back into.  

Maxine Bachich
Rehabilitation Therapist, Atascadero State (Max.  Security) Hospital
Atascadero, CA
(Observer, 3-day prison workshop on anger)

…our staff have routinely reported a decrease of disruptive behavior from inmates participating in these workshops.  The Freedom Project staff teaches good values and principles, a deep understanding of the causes of violence, and is effective at having inmate participants model responsible, restorative ways to resolve conflict, both inside and outside the workshops.  I can definitely say that Freedom Project staff, through their workshops, have had a positive, discernable effect on safety and security at the Monroe Correctional Complex and I would wholeheartedly recommend them and their program to facility staff wanting to improve communication and safety in their workplace. 

Mike Williams
Former Associate Superintendent,
Monroe Correctional Complex, WA

After observing this training, I am filled with hope that we can create a space where everybody gets a chance to practice humanity.  I am incredulous that, as a police officer, I can enter a prison and be so openly accepted and welcomed by prisoners. But then, as one of the men said, he didn’t feel he was in prison during the two days of the workshop. Neither did I. 

Allan Schurmann
National Police, Denmark (Observer, Nonviolent Communication training inside prison)

I have the utmost respect for [the Freedom Project team].  I worked with them quite closely when I was [the community involvement program coordinator].  As a counselor, I have watched inmates go through [the] program and you can see a noticeable change in their behavior.  I personally believe it is one of the best programs coming into the prison system.

James L. Newman
Classification Counselor II, Monroe Correctional Complex, WA