PAST SEMINARS

RESIDENTIAL SEMINAR DESCRIPTIONS

Integrating the Values Inside

20th - 22nd June 1994

About the seminar 

Developing effective communication and affirming the va lu e and worth of the human person, is perhaps the greatest challenge faced by those working with prisoners. How can core va lu es be maintained in circumstances that all too often challenge individual integrity, and limit the choice of responses?

The seminar was designed to enable prison staff to explore their core va lu es and how to integrate them with their work. Themes included, The Challenge of Maintaining a Positive Vision; Breaking the Cycle of Confrontation and Control; Managing Stress; Co-operation and Communication in Relationships;

Aims of the seminar were for participants to:

• maintain equanimity in the midst of a constantly changing environment
• influence change in a positive direction.
• develop a deeper understanding of humanity
• facilitate greater self-esteem
• enhance positive relationships through the restoration of human dignity and respect, trust and security within the working environment.

Contributors were:

Tim Newell , Governor, HMP Grendon;

William M Goodwin, Governor Two, HMP Wakefield ;

Sister Jayanti, Director Brahma Kumaris, London ;

Louise Gordon, Teacher and Student;

Michael George, Management Consultant;

Gail Bradley, Writer and Probation Officer;

Georgina Long, Prison Service Co-ordinator, Brahma Kumaris;

Malcolm Gillan, Senior Prison Officer, HMP Reading;

Viv Lever, Acting Education Co-ordinator, Huntercombe and Finnamore Wood YOIs;

Dadi Janki, Co-Administrative Head, Brahma Kumaris.

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Putting Values to Work

29th November - 1st December 1995

About the seminar.

Putting Values to Work builds on the seminar 'Integrating the Values Inside' held in June 1994, which focused upon the personal values we bring to our roles and ways in which we might sustain those within the pressures we face.

Topics addressed included:

• Application of Values at Work
• Working Together for a Purpose
• Human Relationships in Prison
• The Art of Self Confidence

Speakers included:

Gail Bradley, Partner, Behavioural Health; Partnership and Probation Officer,

Dr: Andrew Coyle, Governor, HMP Brixton;

Michael George, Management Consultant;

Dadi Janki, Additional Administrative Head, Brahma Kumaris;

Viv Lever, Deputy Education Manager, HMYOIs ' Huntercombe & Finnamore Wood

Tim Newell , Governor, HMP Grendon & Spring Hill;

David Sherwood, Governor HMP Highpoint

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Personal Development and Relationships in Prison - Managing Our Hopes and Expectations

11th - 13th November, 1996

About the seminar.

What are our concerns and current challenges in our working relationships in prisons? How can a deeper understanding of our expectations of each other help our relationships become more positive and supportive? What are the personal values we hold within our relationships - what stops us living those values? Is there a need to clarify our purpose as the foundation for our own personal development?

This seminar was an opportunity for staff to examine their own position and values in relation to their work and interaction with other prison staff. The seminar format provided a variety of interactive formats, including panel discussion and small group dialogues.

This seminar provided a forum for prison staff, of all levels, to reflect and creatively explore common issues and concerns that affect everyone within the Service.

Presenters included:

Stieve Butler, Drama Teacher, HMYOI Huntercombe,

Dadi Janki, Co-administative Head, Brahma Kumaris,

Tim Newell , Governor, HMP Grendon & Springhill,

David Sherwood, Former Governor, HMP Highpoint,

Dr. David Wilson, Head of Prison Officer & Operational Training for HM Prison Service .

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Caring From the Inside- Looking After Each other

19th - 21st September, 1997

About the seminar.

The Prison Service is facing challenging times and is never far from the headlines as society continues to hotly debate its role. With widespread change happening at all levels, the need to maintain a professional, caring approach towards colleagues, inmates and the self becomes even more important.

Themes that the Seminar will focus on included:

• what does it mean to care?
• in what ways do we express care?
• how do we create and sustain a caring atmosphere in a predominately negative - environment?
• how can I continue to care for others if I don't feel cared for myself?

Drawing on the experience that we each have to offer, together with a vision of a caring system, the objectives of the seminar were to:

• recognise the many different ways that we care for ourselves and others.
• realise the importance o f first caring for our­selves before we can effectively care for others.
• experience that caring is an important component o f every interaction whether at a conscious or subconscious level.
• understand the role of personal change in effecting greater levels of care for the self and others.

Presenters included:

John Marriott, Ex Governor HMP Parkhurst and the General Manager, NHS Mental Health and Learning Disability Services, Isle of Wight.

Gail Bradley, Partner, Behavioural Health Partnership & Probation Officer

Malcolm Gillan, In-service Counsellor, Senior Prison Officer, HMP Grendon

Dadi Janki, Additional Administrative Head, Brahma Kumaris

Stuart Jeffrey, Senior Probation Officer, HMYOI Huntercombe

Viv Lever, Former Education Manager, HMYOI Huntercombe

Tim Newell , Governor, HMP Grendon & Springhill A member of Staff Care and Welfare

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Working in Prison - Vision to Reality

27th - 29th October, 1998

About the seminar.

At this time of rapid change within the prison system, a clear vision, at professional and personal levels, provides stability and direction. It also contains the values which will generate effective action.

This residential seminar gave participants the opportunity to:

• reflect on and share the vision that they bring to their work in the prison system,
• highlight the occasions when their vision and values have been brought together in their work,
• renew or refocus their vision,
• find additional ways of translating your vision into action,
• learn how to sustain their vision and values in the working environment, even under pressure,
• appreciate the personal strengths and qualities they bring to their work.

Keynote Address:

Sir David Ramsbottom GCB CBE, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons

Speakers included:

Dadi Janki, Co-administrative Head, Brahma Kumaris,

Mike George, International Management Development Coach/Consultant,

Malcolm Gillan, Principal Officer, HMYOI Huntercombe,

Viv Lever, Former Education Manager, HMYOI Huntercombe,

Tim Newell , Governor, HMP Grendon & Springhill

Anne Radford, Appreciative Inquiry Consultant/Coach

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The Challenge of Change - Supporting Each Other

9th - 11th May, 2000

About the seminar.

At this moment in time, the Prison Service is facing an unprecedented increase in demand for it's services, ever-rising expectations about the quality of its service delivery and a lack of resources. How can we better support each other and make a positive contribution to prison life?

This seminar explored the impact of current change, drew on personal experience and insight and provided tools with which to embrace change.

Through a series of workshops, discussions, panel presentations and open forums, participants learned how to:

• sustain personal values, even under pressure
• create and maintain stability in the working environment
• develop both personal and interpersonal support systems
• affect positive change for the future.

Presenters included:

Jackie Abbs, Drugs Counsellor, Turning Point, HMP Hollesley Bay

Robin Barr-Thomson, Prison Service Nurse, HMP Norwich

Gail Bradley, Governor, 5, Channings Wood

Maria Bryne, Education Manager, HMP Wormwood Scrubs

Lee Cooke, Prison Officer, HMP Norwich

Mike George, International Management Development Consultant

Malcolm Gillan ,Principal Officer, HMYOI Huntercombe

Maureen Goodman , Programme Co-ordinator, Brahma Kumaris, London

Dadi Janki, Co-administrative Head, Brahma Kumaris

Barbara Marsh, Probation / Health Officer, HMYOI Hollesley Bay

Tim Newell , Governor, HMP Grendon and Springhill

Tony Revell, Instruction Officer I.C. Furniture Craft, HMP Gartree

Doug Stephenson, Brahma Kumaris Prison Education Co-ordinator

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Breaking the Cycle

8th - 10th May, 2001

About the seminar.

Increasingly, we find ourselves locked into different cycles, be they physical, mental or emotional, in our workplace and at home. An example may be one person who has disrespect for another is disrespected in return, so creating a cycle of disrespect. However, cycles need not be negative, detrimental or disempowering. How can we develop a better understanding of cyclic patterns so as to increase the experience of positive beneficial and empowering change in our lives?

This seminar explored the influence cycles have on our behaviour, relationships and thinking, drew on personal experience and insight and provided tools with which to deal with negative cycles.

Through a series of workshops, discussions, panel presentations and open forums, participants learned to:

• recognise the impact that cycles can have on themselves,
• relationships and job efficacy,
• break negative cycles and sustain positive cycles
• take control of their lives
• affect positive change for the future.

Speakers included:

Gail Bradley, Prisoners Administration Group

Kathryn Davies, Health Care Officer, HMP Lewes

BK Jayanti, European Director, Brahma Kumaris

Ian Knight' Prison Officer, HMP & YOI Hollesley Bay

Georgina Long , Education Department, HMP Wormwood Scrubs

Barbara Marsh' Probation /Health Officer, HMP & YOI Hollesley Bay

John McConnel, Trainer, New Horizon

Wendy, Sinclair-Gieben, Head of Resettlement, Blakenhurst Bid Team

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Decency and Human Dignity in Prisons

28th - 30th May, 2002

About the seminar.

Is my dignity dependent on external acknowledgements, or is it part of my inherent worth as a human being?

Dignity is something that all human beings consider precious as it nourishes our relationships and also gives us a sense of personal fulfilment. Real dignity is something that stays with us despite changing circumstances. Human dignity and decency can therefore be seen as the expression of an inner state of self-worth. How can we develop and sustain that sense of self-worth?

This seminar was one response to the Prison Services' own focus on these important issues.

Through workshops, discussion and open forums, participants will had an opportunity to:

• examine and recognise the relationship between dignity and decency,
• discuss the difference between 'controlling behaviour' and 'being in control'
• explore the importance of personal and professional values in an organisational context,
• recognise our inherent source of dignity,
• identify personal tools, mechanisms and support structures that enhance good relationships.

Speakers included:

Gail Bradley, Prison Administration Group,

Mike George, Author / Motivational Speaker,

Malcolm Gillan, Head of Operations, HMYOI Huntercombe,

Dadi Janki, Co-administrative Head, Brahma Kumaris,

Sister Jayanti, European Director, Brahma Kumaris,

Georgina Long , Teacher, HMP Wormwood Scrubs,

Barbara Marsh, Personnel Development Practitioner,

Malcolm Osborne, Prison Officer, HMP & YOI Hollesley Bay ,

Anthony Reeves, Principal Officer, HMP Wormwood Scrubs,

Doug Stephenson, Prison Education Co-ordinator, Brahma Kumaris,

Barbara Stow , Assistant Ombudsman,

Trevor Willson , Project Manager, The Prism Trust

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Understanding Control, Power and Force

3rd - 5th June, 2003

About the seminar.

Personal relationships are at the very heart of the efficient and effective running of every prison. Yet prisons, by their very nature, are places in which relationships, communication and interactions are almost always controlled. Creating and maintaining positive, productive relationships in such an environment is frequently challenging. To make the best of the situation we need a deeper understanding and appreciation of the part that force and power play in control and their connection to one's personal values and underlying motivation. Without the development of strong inner values there cannot be the sensitive excercising of control.

Through workshops, panel discussion and open forums, participants had an opportunity to:

• discuss the difference between 'controlling behaviour' and being 'in control'
• recognise the respective benefits and implications of the use of force and the use of power
• appreciate the importance of personal and professional values, throughout the prison system
• identify personal tools, mechanisms and support structures that enhance good relationships.

Speakers included:

Brian Bacon , International Business Strategist

Malcolm Gillan, Head of Operations, HMYOI Huntercombe

Maureen Goodman , Programme Co-ordinator, Brahma Kumaris

Dadi Janki, Co-Administrative Head, Brahma Kumaris

Lee Mitchell, Prison Officer, HMP Hollesley Bay

Ann Renton , National Co-ordinator 'Family, Matters', New Bridge

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Facing Change - Changing Face

7th 9th September 2004

About the Seminar

The National Offender Management Service, overcrowding, resettlement, racial equality: the pace of change within the prison system continues relentlessly affecting every individual working in, or connected with prisons. Faced with so many changes - some imposed, others after consultation, some with immediate affect, some introduced gradually - developing effective communication, maintaining equanimity, and personal dignity is perhaps the greatest challenge. How can we maintain positive values in circumstances that all too often challenge individual integrity and limit our choice of response?

This seminar explored the impact of current change, drew upon personal experience and insight, and provided tools with which to embrace change.

Participants had the opportunity to explore how to:

• identify strengths to support change,
• acknowledge fears that create resistance to change,
• sustain personal values,
• maintain personal stability,
• affect positive change for the future.

Speakers included:

Gail Bradley, Policy Lead - Family Ties, Offender Policy and Rights Unit, Offender, Law and Sentencing Policy Directorate,

Juliette Brown , Management Training Consultant,

Mal Gillan, Head of Residence, HMYOI Huntercombe,

Gabriella Goddard, Founder and Director, Claravia Coaching,

Neville Hodgkinson, Author and Journalist,

Sister Jayanti, European Director, Brahma Kumaris,

Dadi Janki, Co-administarative Head, Brahma Kumaris,

John McConnel, Trainer, New Horizons,

Tim Newell , Development Consultant, The Butler Trust,

Ann Renton , 'Family Matters', New Bridge,

Doug Stephenson, Prison Education Co-ordinator, Brahma Kumaris.

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Working Together Effectively - Identifying Common Values, Developing a Shared Vision

7th - 9th June, 2005

About the Seminar

Common values and a shared vision are essential ingredients in the successful coming together of different service providers, the merging of departments, or the building of teams. Getting the very best out of a new working environment requires mutual respect, honesty and open communication. With a shared vision, we can create the atmosphere of trust and co-operation that makes our work effective and easy.

Participants had the opportunity to:

• Identify and sustain shared vision and values.
• Define alternative strategies.
• Develop personal and interpersonal support systems.
• Create a culture of appreciation rather than blame.

Speakers included:

Gail Bradley, Policy Lead - Family Ties, Offender Policy and Rights Unit, Offender, Law and Sentencing Policy Directorate,

Gabriella Goddard , Executive Coach, Founder and Director, Claravia Coaching,

Maureen Goodman , Programme Co-ordinator, Brahma Kumaris,

Leon Hubbard , Offending Behaviour Treatment Manager, HMYOI/RC Feltham,

Georgina Long , Teacher, Brahma Kumaris,

Anne Renton, New Bridge,

Doug Stephenson, Prison Education Co-ordinator, Brahma Kumaris,

Dominic Taylor, Prison Officer, HMP Brixton,

Andy Teare , Probation Service Officer, HMP Lewes.

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Values in Criminal Justice

7th - 9th June, 2006

About the Seminar

The new offender management scheme is having an increasing impact on our working life. Such times of change are an opportunity to think deeply about why we are working in offender management, what we wish to achieve both for ourselves and for those whom we serve, and the values that support these choices. Being aware of our own personal values enables us to understand and influence our team, organisation and ultimately society. Our core values are a compass for positive change.

Participants had the opportunity to:

• recognise personal core values
• appreciate the impact of those values on those around them
• develop insights into sustaining and developing personal values
• explore a more positive contribution to the lives of those they serve.

Speakers included:

Kevin Baker, Assistant Governor, HMYOI Kirklevington,
Maria Byrne, IMB, HMP Wormwood Scrubs,
Mal Gillan, Head of Residence, HMYOI Huntercombe,
Sister Jayanti, European Director, Brahma Kumaris,
Lisa Lambert, Senior Investigator, Prison’s and Probation Ombudsman’s Office
Wendy Marshall, Trainer,
Ann Renton, ‘Family Matters,’ New Bridge.

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Making the Difference

19th - 21th June, 2007

The seminar will invite us to reappraise our relationship with our 'Service' and explore our unique contribution towards the 'soul of the organisation.'

This will enable us to:
- identify our core values,
- discover how to enhance and revitalise our work,
- develop tools and support structures to sustain good relationships,
- enhance coping skills, so raising morale and restoring a sense of purpose,
- enrich and sustain a positive and supportive working environment.

Speakers include:
Stuart Boreham, Atlantic Oarsman and Motivational Speaker,
Craig Brown, General Practitioner,
Mike George, Author and Coach,
Mal Gillan, Head of Residence, HMYOI Huntercombe,
Sister Jayanti, European Director, Brahma Kumaris.

The seminar is organised by a working group of Prison and Probation Service personnel and members of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (UK), a non-governmental organisation in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. BKWSU (UK) has been working in prisons since 1984 offering a range of educational programmes that focus on life skills and personal development for both Service personnel and prisoners.

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