UConn Extension People Empowering People Correctional Institutions (PEP CI)
For over 25 years, UConn Extension has partnered with the Connecticut Department of Corrections to offer the UConn Extension People Empowering People Program at Correctional Institutions (UConn PEP CI). UConn PEP CI is a personal and family leadership program modeled after the UConn People Empowering People Communities and focuses on keeping people from returning to prison.
PEP CI Program Mission
The UConn Extension People Empowering People (PEP) Correctional Institute (CI) program draws from the unique strengths, life experiences and capacities of each participant to build a community of mutual support and challenge from which participants gain skills and confidence they can apply while incarcerated and also when they return to their communities to help them be more productive and stay out of prison.
PEP CI Program Objectives
- Create a sense of community with the group so that participants can support and encourage one another with the hope that they take that same sense of caring and community into the larger prison population and into the community they will return into.
- Enhance self-worth by providing participants with insights and skills that lead to self-sufficiency and independence.
- Provide a positive environment for participants so they can reflect on their lives and make better decisions in the future.
- Allow participants to explore different options and develop more positive ways of thinking and behaving.
- Help participants to begin or continue the process of finding their life purpose.
The UConn Extension PEP CI program encourages inmates to be self-reflective and to draw on their unique strengths, life experiences, and capacities. UConn PEP CI volunteers create an environment for offenders to develop the willingness and ability to take responsibility for their lives and become empowered. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate indicating their success in meeting the demands of the curriculum.
UConn PEP CI Program Description
The program is led by UConn Extension trained facilitators. Facilitators provide 17 two-hour sessions on the following topics:
Part I: Setting The Stage
Session 1 Introduction and Empowerment.
Part II: Who Am I?
Session 2 What is important to me? (Values)
Session 3 Learning to Feel Good About Myself (Community & Self Esteem) Watch the movie “The Freedom Writers”
Session 4 Learning to Feel Good About Myself, continued (Community & Self Esteem), Discuss the movie “The Freedom Writers”
Session 5 Understanding My Personality Style
Part III: Skills For Effective Living
Session 6 Communicating So People Can Understand Me Session 7 Listening and Relating Well to Others
Session 8 Problem Solving and Managing Conflict Session 9 Man’s Search for Meaning (Coping Strategies) Session 10 Maintaining My Spiritual Connection
Part IV: My Relationships with Others
Session 11 Choosing and Enjoying Healthy Friendships
Session 12 Family Relations Session 13 Parenting from Prison
Session 14 Goal setting and Planning
Part V: Skills for Returning Home
Session 15 Preparing For My Next Job: Resumes and Resources Session 16 Preparing For and Keeping My Next Job
Part VI: Graduation
Session 17 Graduation