b'Volunteer Spotlightmanaging conflicts, coping strategies,Another inmate said, This program choosing and enjoying healthy con- gives me a starting point to build empow-nections, family relations, parentingerment within myself from the bottom from prison, goal setting and skills forup. I have to believe in myself or no one returning home. Every session beginselse will. PEP Pledgewith the UConn PEP Pledge (see sideThe Department of Corrections sup-bar on right).ports UConn PEPCI and other programsI live my values each day The feedback from inmates about thebecause programming and support forto the best of my ability.UConn PEPCI program is consistentlyrehabilitation lowers recidivism rates. positive and shows how grateful inmatesConnecticut dropped its inmate popula- I take responsibility for are for what they learn. Commentstion in recent years, but the United States always include a thank you to thecontinues to have the largest knownmy actions.volunteers and fellow inmates for theirincarcerated population in the world time and for creating a safe environmentat about 1.5 million people accordingI treat myself with love where they can share. One inmateto 2017 data. At least five millionand kindness.summarized what many said in theirchildrenor seven percent of Americancomments, Choices and decisions affectyouthhave had an incarcerated parent,I live my life with purposemy tomorrow so I must be patient andwith African American, low-income, and stay in control. I must build within merural minors disproportionately affected.and integrity.the power to make the right decisions,Our volunteers continue expanding set goals and achieve them for my ownUConn PEPCI and helping inmatesI treat all living beings mental health and self-empowerment. Idevelop skills to re-integrate into their have to believe that I matter, and I havefamilies and communities. HE with respect and dignity.to be better than the hand I was dealt. Trish Spofford, left, and Edna Johnson, one of the PEP volunteers at the York Correctional Institution. People Empowering PeoplePhoto courtesy of Trish Spofford.A UConn Program Patnering with Correctional InstitutionsUConn Extension has partnered withDepartment of Corrections awards forthe curriculum so that inmates can the Department of Corrections to offertheir outstanding contributions. Trishsupport and encourage one another. By the UConn People Empowering PeopleSpofford, coordinator for the UConnenhancing inmates self-worth we hope Program at Correctional InstitutionsPEP CI program is recruiting new vol- that they become more self-sufficient (UConn PEPCI) for over twenty years.unteers to expand the program to otherand independent. Inmates can reflect UConn PEPCI is a personal and familyfacilities and offer additional program- on their lives and make better decisions leadership program modeled after theming for UConn PEP CI graduates. in the future after participating in the community UConn People EmpoweringThe program encourages inmates to beprogram; and they can explore different People (UConn PEP) program andself-reflective and draw on their uniqueoptions and develop more positive ways focuses on keeping people from returningstrengths, life experiences, and capacities.of thinking and behaving. to prison.Our volunteers create conditions thatLesson topics include: values, com- Article by Cathleen loveUConn PEPCI is currently offered inhelp offenders develop the willingnessmunity and self esteem, learning to feelContactsix correctional institutions. Volunteersand ability to take responsibility for theirgood about myself, understanding myTrish Spoffordwho teach the UConn PEPCI programlives and become empowered. personality, communicating so peoplepep@uconn.eduare exemplary. In the past year fourThe UConn PEPCI program createsunderstand me, listening and relatingpep.extension.uconn.eduUConn PEPCI volunteers receiveda sense of community when teachingwell to others, problem solving and 26 2019 HIGHLIGHTS OF EXTENSION 2 2772001198HHIIGGHHLLIIGGHHTTSSOOFFEEXXTTEENNSSIIOONN 2'