Curricula

UUPMI has developed two curriculum based on the Unitarian Universalist (UU) seven principles for use with covenant groups in prisons and jails.​ Meeting every other week with 8 to 10 incarcerated women or men, in the format of a UU covenant group. UU covenant groups are based on peacemaking circles from the restorative justice movement, and involve two rounds where participants share their experiences and thoughts related to the topic of the session. The curricula are organized around the seven UU Principles, with additional sessions on Self-Love, Self-Compassion, Forgiveness, and Taking Responsibility for Our Actions. The curricula are designed to be evidence-based in that they seek to reduce criminal thinking, which is strongly associated with in-prison infractions and recidivism after release.

For both curriculum a typical session includes

• Welcome / opening words
• Relational covenant (review/ development)
• Check-in / individual prayers
• Reading
• First round of  questions; sharing and passing the talking object
• Second round of questions; sharing and passing the talking object
• Silence for prayer, meditation, or personal reflection
• Singing 

Prayer Circle

The Prayer Circle curriculum, is to be used when we go into the prison as part of their religious programming. Based on a small group ministry model the Prayer Circle is a small group (usually 8-10, including two facilitators), who meet together twice a month in two-hour sessions to encourage one another to spiritual growth and offer each other support by deep listening in whatever challenges they may be facing.  Sessions typically last for two hours, and are facilitated by the same person(s) (outside volunteers) each time.  Each session starts with the lighting of the chalice, the symbol of Unitarian Universalism, and then has a time when each person can check in with how things are for their spirit and share a short prayer.  Then there is generally a reading and a question or two posed by the facilitator, and each person in the circle has a chance to share in response to the questions. 

In an effort to make space for every voice, a time limit is set for each person to talk in each round of sharing (three minutes is a common limit, though this can fluctuate depending on the number of participants.)  Not every person will have something to share during each round of sharing.  Reminding participants that they can always say “I pass” is a practice that helps create an environment where everyone can feel comfortable sharing as they wish.  

The goals of the 12-session curriculum are:

• To encourage and support spiritual and personal growth as a means of positive transformation.
• To provide a safe time and place for reflection.
• To create community.
• To help people reflect on their own next steps in exploration and growth.
• To educate people about Unitarian Universalism​

Telling Our Stories; Transforming Our Lives

This Telling Our Stories; Transforming Our Lives curriculum, is to be used in jails generally as part of enrichment programming. Based on the Prayer Circle curriculum, this includes six stand alone sessions that can be experienced individually or in a sequence. This development is because a person's stay in jail is (hopefully) short-term so regular participation is less certain.

Other Unitarian Universalist groups wanting to use the curriculum in prisons or jails in their states should Contact Us for the latest version of the curriculum.