Can you imagine a unique experience, with the power to uplift spirits and engender hope for our broken society, occurring in a prison visit? That happened to me when I acted on PHOENIX RISING Transitions' invitation to come to the Columbia River Correctional Institution (CRCI) to be a part of "An Evening of Relational Meetings w/ MACG Leaders."

Who was there? From the 'inside' was the Inner Core Team (the men that planned the event and sent the invitation), nine of whom lead us through a carefully planned agenda, doing it so well and with such ease that it was a clear indication that they had completed a Leadership Institute. Through relational meetings these men had also engaged others whom they invited to attend to see what PHOENIX was about. A noteworthy fact: all 'insiders' were choosing to devote these three hours, the only leisure of their day, to this occasion. From the 'outside' were we six visitors.

All of us had three Relational Meetings. During my first one I soon felt not only at ease but also nourished and moved as I listened to my partner. He candidly gave an account of his past in the outside world and then of the transforming new understanding of himself and what really counts in life. Different as our past lives had been, we were utterly in sync on what counts!

Next came a story, told in plenary, by a man only 12 hours from being released. Again I was moved, especially by his recognition of the importance of having the same supporting relationships on the outside as he had developed inside through the work of PHOENIX.

Two more Relational Meetings and shared reflection in groups reinforced further the uplift I felt from the first one. Again I met men each of whom had seriously reflected on his life, grasped who he was and had laid plans for being outside.

A doubting skeptic might say that I have been reacting too positively to mere hopes and dreams of these men, especially after only one visit. My answer: Yes, I heard of hopes and dreams. But I also saw ample evidence of more. These men are in a new, vital subculture that regularly nourishes them. They are becoming leaders (indeed, some already are). They see where they failed, where society is broken, (thanks to PHOENIX and its IAF fueled training) how they can participate in the repair, and the sense of meaning to one's life that arises when working for the common good. Finally and importantly, on their release they intend to be a part of an already existing outside relational subculture, one also developed by PHOENIX.

Attending PHOENIX's Leadership Class did uplift my spirits and engender hope for our society! It did so because I was participating in an inside culture in which I watched hope being nourished and personal transformations occurring.

Stan Aschenbrenner, Leader
Lake Oswego United Methodist Church

 I was recently asked to visit CRCI for an evening of relational meetings with people who are on their way home from the facility.  Being an alumnus of CRCI, I was excited to visit – free from the pressure of external forces.  I was pleased to see so many people active in their own pursuit of transformation, formulating a plan before being released to the street, and supporting each other in their efforts to do so. I know from experience that planning after release does not work well. 

We began with introductions and then went into the first relational meetings.  The men that I was seated with shared similar stories about their need of support and housing before and upon release.  I believe housing is one of the biggest barriers to successful prison-to-community transition.  If we go back to the same people and places that we came from, then we are extremely likely to end up with the same results. 

I shared my experience with Oxford House, and was asked about them by several people after I spoke.  I felt a great deal of gratitude being able to talk to the men that night. I hope to visit again, and to see more community leaders take an active role to support the people we visited and others before their release dates, and when we welcome them home. 

 Thank you all for sharing your stories with me.

Jeff Stiles, Leader
Recovery Association Project

No one could have prepared me for the talent that resides at CRCI.  My first session was filled with testimony shared in small reflection groups.  With the MACG model in place, PHOENIX provided a forum for storytelling, which in turn offered respect to the contributor and shared insights for the others' listening.  I have always been an advocate of "active listening," and here the setting was conducive to common themes of stresses in our lives whether incarcerated or not.  I felt very fortunate to have been a part of the PHOENIX process.  I am eager to continue my PHOENIX relationship with the men both waiting and soon to be released. Thank you.

Larry Ullman, Leader
St. Andrew Catholic Church

Thanks for the opportunity to join PHOENIX's Leadership Training for Life (modeled after the MACG Basic Training) at CRCI.  It is such an important work that you are doing.  The appreciation of people who really want to change their lives in spite of incredible odds against them was striking.  In some ways it seemed so little that I had to give, but I realized what value it was for each of these persons to feel the recognition of their human dignity by just a "normal" person taking the time to come and listen and respond to them as a fellow human being.  I will share with others and see if we can get more turnout from SEIU 49.  I would like to participate once a quarter in PHOENIX's Community In-Reach projects, so please let me know what comes next.

Jean Eilers, Leader
SEIU #49

Wow! It's been a long time since I've done anything that enjoyable, and that had such a strong impact on me!
 
I'm talking about my visit on the "inside" at PHOENIX's April 16th relational gathering at CRCI. Although people on the inside said over and over how much they appreciated people from the community coming in to spend the evening with them, I'm the one who really gained.
 
As I listened to the stories, I couldn't help but be struck by how interconnected they were—broken families, drugs, gang affiliation—there's a pattern here, and that pattern leads down a road of crime and violence. We live in a throwaway society where the prison system seems designed not to rehabilitate people who've broken the law, but to throw them away—a society that hinders their chance to succeed even after release. We've got to change that, to give people an opportunity to make it, and the hope of a better way!
 
I, like many of you, have too many things on my plate. So I put off making the commitment to go "inside." Thanks to all the members of PHOENIX, 'inside' and 'out,' for not giving up on me! I will go back, and I would strongly encourage others to make time for this. You won't be sorry!

Cherry Harris, Organizer
IUOE #701