"This group has done wonders for me. I can't believe how much this relates to me. I honestly feel by reading this book and participating in the class I have found myself. Now am able to focus on my recovery and a road to a better life. I feel if all inmates can do the same, they may be able to appreciate themselves and stay away from imprisonment."

"It may be a good idea to make this available to every inmate in every prison. I am a violent person, very angry and abusive. This class helps me vent, understand and identify my feelings and move forward in a positive way."

"The most valuable insight I have gained from this course about myself is how beneficial it is for me to stop and become aware of my feelings and emotions and how they have or will affect my actions."

"I believe that this class is helping me to discover and understand myself, why I've chosen to do the things I've done to myself and to others. It's helping me to be honest and open with my emotions and feelings. Without it, I would never have been able to grow spiritually or emotionally."

Quotes From Outside Volunteers Who Have Taken the Course With Prisoners

"Every time I participate in this course, I learn more about myself and gain tools that help me cope with stress in my life."

So what is emotional literacy? Emotional literacy is the ability to identify, manage, and express one’s emotions in a mature and conscientious manner. With this ability comes the capacity to empathize with the feelings of others.

Throughout society, the cost of emotional illiteracy is staggering: abusive behavior toward others or oneself; high levels of frustration, anger, sadness, and personal suffering; inept parenting; addictions of all sorts; and much physical disease. Emotional illiteracy is an underlying cause of most crime. To address this issue, Partakers offers in-depth courses in emotional literacy to prisoners. We recruit volunteers from outside prison to participate in these courses.

The good news is that emotional literacy skills can be learned at any time in life. Becoming emotionally literate results in the ability to read one's own feelings as well as the feelings of others.When people develop emotional literacy skills, they are better able to identify, express, and manage their feelings. There are greater options for effectively dealing with stress and tension. There is greater impulse control. There is heightened self-awareness and self-understanding. Social skills and the ability to communicate effectively are enhanced. Consequently, behaviors and attitudes that arise from emotional literacy support and reflect self-esteem, empathy, and appropriate action in the world.

The cultivation of emotional literacy nurtures and elicits the best in people. Unfortunately, the current climate of prison life so often elicits the worst. This said, it surely makes sense to offer resources to support emotional literacy for every prisoner as well as Partakers volunteers.