Elena Quintana, Ph.D., Executive Director of Adler University’s Institute on Public Safety and Social Justice, hosted a conversation at Adler University that was filmed and will be shown to inmates at Danville Correctional Center. The event featured Lisa P. Daniels, Executive Director of the Darren B. Easterling Center for Restorative Practices, and author Alex Kotlowitz.

The conversation was about healing—from community trauma, from time spent behind bars, and from systemic issues that lead to mass incarceration. Quintana is an external facilitator with the Community Anti-Violence Education (CAVE) program for inmates inside Danville Correctional Center. CAVE allows participants to address trauma as a main trigger before engaging in violence. Inmates teach each other about brain science and emotional management in order to recognize and redirect trauma triggers.

“The CAVE program is the perfect example of Adler University’s commitment to working with community partners to create a more just society,” Quintana said. “Not only are these participants learning ways to better themselves mentally, they’re being educated on how to react to high-stress or potentially dangerous situations in ways that won’t result in violence or loss of life,” she said.

Read more in the Chicago Defender article, “New Restorative Justice Video Series Strives to Spark Forgiveness, Healing for Incarcerated Men.”