Connecting Families: a principle of RiCI program

As one of the ODRC’s Reintegration facilities, the staff and volunteers at Richland Correctional Institution strive to provide diverse programming options and activities to the residents. Regardless of the program or activity there is a shared purpose, that being to reduce recidivism. It is beyond disputation that maintaining and in some cases creating healthy family connections is pivotal towards this end. Because of this, the theme of family reunification is prevalent within the programs that are offered at RiCI.

The ”Creating Lasting Family Connections” program at RiCI is an example of this emphasis. The Creating Lasting Family Connections model incorporates key features to encourage personal growth. Participants are encouraged to improve their personal growth through increasing self-awareness, expression of feelings, interpersonal communication and self-disclosure. Participants are also taught social skills, refusal skills, and appropriate alcohol and drug knowledge and beliefs, which provide a strong defense against environmental risk factors.

Participants are also provided opportunities to practice these skills in a safe group setting. The Creating Lasting Family Connections program is an opportunity for residents to learn how to provide to their loved ones in a more effective and meaningful way. Staples of the program include, unconditional love, patient listening with emotional understanding and recognizing opportunities to contribute meaningful action toward the betterment of the family and community