Evaluation of INSIGHT Parole Preparation Program
Evaluation of INSIGHT Parole Preparation Program
February 2023
Bonnie Grossen
The INSIGHT program was evaluated for its effectiveness in motivating incarcerated individuals to adopt a new way of living centered on the principles of kindness. The 5-part INSIGHT program is a correspondence course that requires an average of 7.3 months to complete. The parts are designed to guide participants in exploring their childhood traumas, character defects, responsibility, and remorse. After completing each part, participants submitted their essay responses to the questions for that part. The participant received in return the next part and usually very personalized feedback. Here is a small sample of feedback:
“I totally understand how your parents’ absence created an unhealthy need for acceptance, but how do you deal with that today? How did you heal from that? Do you still have a need for acceptance? I know that healing is not easy, it takes a minute to learn how to soften that blow, but if I may make a respectful suggestion, I share this because it helped me understand my parents. I explored their individual childhoods, sometimes we forget that our parents had childhoods, I discovered that they experienced traumas in their individual lives, for once in my life, I got introduced to my parents as human beings, it’s unfortunate their combined brokenness that was entwined when they got married wasn’t healthy, but I learned never once did they mean harm to me, they just raised me the way they only knew how.”
Program evaluation surveys were sent to 130 participants who completed the program. Of the 103 returned surveys, all rated the program as helping them act with more kindness toward self and others, deal effectively with their character defects, and to not act on impulse. 90% gave the INSIGHT program the highest rating—helping a lot. 10% rated it as helping some. Comments about the program were very positive:
“Insight has helped me understand my past, the now, & the future. This alone affects my daily self to be a positive, safe person, to others and myself”
“This course has facilitated a positive change in my life, it also has allowed me to bridge the gap between my family, friends, and peers. Applying these lessons learned about how I became me, has truly set me free...it has changed my beliefs, habits, and attitude.”
These are highlights of the results. Details of the analysis and further findings can be found using the link: EvaluationReport_INSIGHT--Nov2023.pdf
