This powerful video takes us inside San Quentin Prison to witness 32 men in one circle who reclaim who they really are over the course of 52 weeks in the GRIP Program (Guiding Rage Into Power). GRIP transforms these men who have committed violent crimes into non-violent Peacemakers as they learn to change their own behavior and to further become agents of change so that they can diffuse conflict around them. It is a story of healing, forgiveness and hope.

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  • Kristin Pedemonti

    Here's to the power of reclaiming narrative and our own personal stories and seeing ourselves for who we really are. and the additional incredible power of witnessing each other's stories as a journey to healing. As a survivor and someone who works with those who've experienced trauma, through a program called Steer Your Story, I resonated deeply with the stories shared by each courageous man in the video. For them to own their truth, as well as see their own humanity and where their actions stemmed from (hurt people, hurt people) is a message more need to see and experience. My own goal within the next year is to share my program with perpetrators so they too can heal. Already have witnessed this informally as several have shared their stories with me and as a survivor of sexual trauma it felt healing for me to witness and to share forgiveness from my heart. The healing is on both sides, all sides. Thank you for such a very powerful video and for the much needed work you do in GRIP. May you be able to continue this work.

  • louise

    This was just so beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

  • Constance Funk

    Thank you to every person involved in this beautiful sharing--we are truly all healed by this courageous vulnerability and honesty---I feel so grateful and send loving prayers to everyone--

  • Robert

    The openness and honesty, the ability to feel expressed by men, who have been so badly hurt themselves. Yeah, hurt people hurt people. The opening of their hearts opens my heart. In gratitude and in loving kindness. Robert

  • Clarence Denbok

    The loss and pain represented in that one room is almost too much to contemplate. And notice all the quiet affirming nods (5:00 - 5:15) to the story of a daughter's forgiveness. I see longing for healing and reconciliation in those faces. May they find it. May we all find it.

  • Lisa

    We aren't different. I am not in prison physically, but the prison emotionally and mentally that we share, require healing to let oneself out. We have all been hurt. But can we take responsibility for the times while we hurt, that we hurt others? What can I do to make this right? I am inspired by the courage of these men to face each's inner storms and come out stronger on the other side, grateful to be more than a collection of my own mistakes.

  • Janet

    We already have the know-how to create a peaceful world. The G.R.I.P. Program is without-a-doubt one of them. The human spirit is the driving force. My hat goes off to all who offer this program.

  • Rob

    People helping people so that they may help people,

  • Barbara

    WOW!!! Wow and wow again. What a moving and powerful message - showing that there is an alternative way to anger and violence - allowing the real person to emerge. Tears still flowing.

  • Heather

    All our souls want is to love and be loved and these men are proving it even after surviving such horrific personal histories-bless them all.

  • Stephanie

    Everything. Very touching. Amazing how sweet is the good side of people.

  • Margaret

    As I watched this video I was struck by how many of the men were people of colour. Our prisons are disproportionately full of blacks and First Nations people. They have already been treated as second class citizens and then are punished again. I have nothing but admiration for those who participate in this program. We have all experienced anger, but many lack the awareness to recognize that anger is a reaction to a more deep seated feeling or experience. We ALL need to dig deeply, face our demons and move forward with honesty and compassion. Margaret Thompson

  • Joe Houska

    I find that the incarcerated inspire self compassion. I feel certain that every incarcerated person deserves the ability to move forward in their life without the debilitating weight of self hatred. So, when I feel strongly that a murderer deserves deep compassion, it creates a space for me to be more self compassionate. For this reason, I think our entire nation and indeed the world would benefit from more compassionate programs for the incarcerated.

  • Naveed Heydari

    I’m inspired by the level of emotional awareness these men model. I’m inspired that our skeletons can become our angels. I’m inspired that our curses can become our greatest gifts. I am reminded of a similar documentary called “the work.” I am in awe of the powerful work people engage in to shift the paradigm into one of forgiveness, healing and interconnection,

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  • To learn more about this transformative program visit the Insight-Out web site. 
  • Listen to the full story of the origins of Insight-Out from its founder, Jacques Verduin. 
  • Reflect on this quote from two Insight-Out participants: "Hurt people hurt people. Healed people heal people." How does it resonate in your life?

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