The Mirror Mirror , Behind The Wall Program is a multicultural, multi levelled therapeutic program, with both interventionist and preventative components.
The Mirror Mirror Program consists of a number of processes which incorporate fable, multi-cultural elements, interactive strategies, one on one counselling, group activities, the use of mentorship, art and music therapies.
The program provides for : rehabilitation with the possibility of prevention for the daughters of the incarcerated.
a) rehabilitation
for females who are already incarcerated and in need of programs which help rehabilitate, educate and develop their self worth and self esteem.
(b) prevention for girls ‘at risk’,
especially the daughters of incarcerated mothers.
Based on sound psychological principles, the Mirror Mirror Program has demonstrated its ability to positively impact on numerous behaviors associated with damaged self image and poor self esteem:
- anti-social behaviors
- drug & alcohol issues
- self- mutilation
- depression
- offending behaviors para suicidal behaviors
- self destructive behaviors
- disordered eating
- kleptomania
- addictive behaviors
The program is conducted by its author, psychologist and educator Denise Greenaway. Before and after consultations can be provided to establish a baseline for the assessment of subsequent psychological and behavioral gains, if required.
The program’s interventions and preventative strategies are available to as many women and girls as funding allows.
Incarcerated women are not “lesser beings....with less to offer”
(Blanch Hampton “Women in Prison” 1992)
Often sole carers for their children, the consequences of incarceration for women extend beyond themselves and their immediate environment. Families are affected, making children more vulnerable to the “at risk behaviours.’’ Many of the women know that their children are suffering as a result of their incarceration, hence their wellbeing and health is further eroded by the added burden of guilt. Often these women lack the education and social skills to deal with their responsibilities. (Hampton)
The Mirror Mirror Program offers a unified system for self acceptance and self esteem which helps restore the sense of self so often diminished by the experience of incarceration. This Mirror Mirror Program provides the tools necessary for women to become functional in a social context.
In terms of community benefit, the rewards of this program are manifold.
Research indicates there is an increased need for services, which specifically address the needs of incarcerated females. Intervention, early intervention and preventative programs are highly recommended.
The Mirror Mirror Programs are designed to combat the psychological and social problems associated with damaged self-image and poor self esteem. The programs have achieved international success for a wide cross- section of the community. As a model program Mirror Mirror, has had demonstrable success in transforming the lives of thousands of girls and women. The achievable positive outcomes for the women and girls targetted by this program, make this a very exciting proposition.
The Mirror Mirror Program’s innovative use of multi-cultural myth and non traditional teaching modalities make it suitable for all females, whatever their background. Incarcerated women and their families will reap the benefits of this program, successfully conducted at the Riverhead Detention Center, New York, June 1999. Its positive effects on participants has a ripple effect on other inmates, families and the
community in general, reducing the risk of recidivism.
This program has the potential to attract the sponsorship of businesses, which benefit from crime prevention, as well as carers, service providers, government bodies and community organizations. Working together, sponsors who bring this program to incarcerated women and their children will be assisting women in custody and girls at risk, to move forward, with self regard and strength, toward a safer future. The benefits will be reflected in the community.
In addition sponsorship itself has a very positive effect on participants in the Programs.
Sponsorship positively impacts on participants’ views of themselves. They feel valued when organizations help deliver programs to them through sponsorship.
Testimonials from incarcerated women
"The group was very interesting because it helped me to learn about how I AM SOMEBODY and my feelings toward my lifestyle.is OK. It IS OK to FEEL!. The lady who ran the group kept it real. I wish other women could have had the chance to experience it because I find a lot of low self esteem women here in the jail."
"I enjoyed her speeches. It was very down to earth. It made me feel better with my self, more aware of things that I didn't possible have thought of before. It was very relaxing and exhilarating"
"The group was about women getting together and exploring their self esteem. I really liked the group. Ms Greenaway really touched me a lot. She is a wonderful woman! I wish she could have stayed for a couple of days more. She showed us some girls on a videotape talking about their selves. We got to write down bad things that was said to us when we was young. We made things that we liked about each other. She gave us rosewater to put on our body and beautiful smelling lotion. She is a wonderful woman!"
"The group taught us about our self worth, self esteem. It made me feel about myself I AM LOVE1 I AM SOMEBODY! I am happyI It showed me that I have a purpose and a place in life. The small things meant a lot: like the honeysuckle lotion, the green egg. Then finishing with the meditaiton."
"The group was about women getting together and talking about how we was put down in or younger day. Building back up our self esteem. We also watched a video on girls from Australia and how their feeling was. She also left us with a passage to remember: "A woman can never be at home anywhere until she is at home in her own body"