Project focuses on veterans healing from trauma
The Compassion Prison Project (CPP) returned to the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) for “Veterans: A Day of Healing.” The project creates short documentaries examining the trauma behind incarceration.
For two days in mid-April, filmmakers followed a group of incarcerated veterans, formerly incarcerated veterans, correctional officer veterans and “civilian” veterans who come together for a day of healing and reflection in Compassion Prison Project’s Trauma to Transformation program.
The project works in partnership with Philip Folsom and his Valor: Warrior Resiliency Program.
The day begins with the raising of the flag and playing Taps. The group then moves into a large circle, taking steps inside the circle representing the adversity they experienced during childhood and time in the military.
Philip Folsom then works with the veterans to understand the role of the warrior in society from a historical/anthropological perspective. He guides the participants through the journey of the warrior discovering the warrior’s need for reintegration, purification and emotional regulation.
Topics covered during ‘Veterans: A Day of Healing’
- Childhood Trauma
- Military Trauma
- Symptoms of Trauma
- Brain Science of Trauma
- Post-Traumatic Stress
- Recalibrating emotional states when back in society
- Finding Kinship in the prison community as well as in the home community
- Importance of healing and finding ways to heal.
Through a series of interviews and group activities, participants share their experiences of serving their country and living and working in the criminal justice system. They also discuss challenges readjusting to civilian and prison life.
The event highlights the unique difficulties these individuals contend with daily and the importance of supporting each other in the process of healing and growth.
The event aims to raise awareness about the needs of the veterans, promoting a greater understanding of their challenges. Also, the event inspires others struggling with trauma, PTSD and adversities preventing them from living a wholehearted life.
The day ends with a Memorial Walk, honoring those who have served our country and are no longer with us. The event ends with the folding of the flag.
Submitted by Lt. Wil Landrum
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