From 2010 to 2020, writing inside VT forged trusting, pro-social relationships with hundreds of Vermont’s incarcerated women through weekly writing circles at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF), in South Burlington, Vermont.

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Our weekly writing circles provided safe, structured, supportive space for women to write toward growth and self-change regardless of education or writing ability. The program also created a community of trust for incarcerated women by modeling healthy interpersonal boundaries, equality of voice, respectful listening, compassion, positive feedback practices, and confidentiality. Many of these women experienced the validation of their words and insights for the first time ever.

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Until 2018, we shared ‘our’ women’s writings, artwork and lives with the wider world via the writing inside VT blog; published quarterly anthologies; and through reading events at the prison facility each spring and fall. These materials remain available on the site and the words continue to provide insight into this world.

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