Truth Be Told: Evaluation of a Narrative and Skills Intervention in Two Women's Prisons

This article describes the evaluation of a narrative and skills intervention to enable women to come to terms with their offenses, tell the truth, and then work to deal with the emotions and issues surrounding their offenses, in two southern U.S. women's prisons. The intervention involved skills building in communication, community building, creativity, and caring for the self, using narrative writing, speaking, and movement. There was broad agreement that the intervention had multiple positive impacts, including insight into factors that lead to incarceration, comfort with selves and better ability to express themselves, restorative justice (ability to understand the situation of others, understanding the impact on themselves and their families), better relationships with other inmates, and understanding the challenges that may lead to recidivism. Findings are consistent with the importance of "confession" and the importance of narrative in traumatic life situations in bringing resolution.