When told the GOGI Campus students had designed an inmate-led workshop titled “Integrity,” Dr. Kimora wanted to share this message…

“Integrity” is such an amazing term. When I think of people who exhibit integrity, I remember those who are consistent with their core values that build community. Those folks stress personal honesty and they exhibit that honesty every day in the way they speak to others and treat others. Finally, I think that people who exhibit integrity are seeking the truth that will enable them to serve (but not control nor fix) others.

This sense of moral responsibility can be reflected in the work you do on the GOGI campuses.  For example, on page 79 of her book Prison: Getting out by Going in: Freedom from release , Coach Taylor writes about the importance of clearly defining boundaries. She writes, “Forgiveness of yourself means that you protect yourself enough so that you do not invite experiences that require forgiveness. Stay away from troublemakers or those whose integrity or honor is questionable. Stay true to your word and expect that others will do the same.” Coach Taylor is so clear about the meaning of “integrity” here. She is telling us that it is important to demand of yourself that YOU be ethical and that you demand the same of others.

Our world would have so much more integrity if people followed Coach Taylor’s advice! Her words sound simple, but they are not. It is so much easier to get angry with someone, to attempt to control another person, or to be stubborn and think and say that we are right and YOU are wrong.

Let’s get on the yellow brick road to integrity by remembering something else that Coach Taylor says on page 79 of her book: “Having clearly defined boundaries means that you will need to forgive less often because individuals will behave differently around you.” That is practicing “integrity”. 

Have a great July, GOGI Campus!

~ Dr. Kimora, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, July 1, 2008 ~ kimora@jjay.cuny.edu

Initial funding for a critical staff member for the GOGI Campus ~ Lynwood pilot program was secured, making it possible for the team of more than 20 volunteers to benefit from one staff member responsible for coordination of campus events.

“While our model relies heavily on community volunteers and masters and PsyD level psychology students, drug treatment counseling students, and social worker students, we needed a staff position to coordinate our activities.  We are excited to report we have received initial funding for this position,” said Coach Taylor.

The GOGI Campus concept coordinates community efforts and serves as an educational opportunity for individuals seeking licensing and certification to work in the mental health fields.   While the team of GOGI volunteers is actively seeking formal grant and foundation funding at this time, the private gift permitted immediate hiring of a key personnel.

“Our benefactor is anonymous at this point,” Coach Taylor said, “but the women in the campus and the volunteers are grateful beyond measure.”

GOGI Campus ~ Lynwood is a pilot program designed to reduce the recidivism rate among women detained at the Los Angeles County Century Regional Detention Facility.  While in its early stages, it appears as if the pilot program is meeting its goal of dramatically reducing recidivism among Los Angeles County women.

“We were approached by the Inmate Services Division of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and asked if we thought the way we work with inmates at  a  Federal Prison might work in achieving the Sheriff’s Department’s goal of reducing the number of women returning to the facility on voilaiton or new charges,” Coach Taylor said.  “We took on the challenge. ”

The unique community collaboration reentry project dubbed GOGI Campus ~ Lynwood began on Februrary 16th, 2008, with a small group of 24 inmates.    Since its opening, nearly 70 women have participated in the total immersion program.

“The exciting fact is that we are holding at a zero recidivism rate with our GOGI Campus Students,” said Coach Taylor.  “Facility statistics hover around 50 percent of the women being rearrested within the first year, if I am not mistaken.  Our goal is to provide every reason for the women to be successful and we seem to be doing just that.”

GOGI Campus ~ Lynwood focuses on the simple tools taught in the book published by GETTING OUT BY GOING IN.  The book, available at all online booksellers, is titled PRISON: GETTING OUT BY GOING IN, and was written to support the GOGI workshops and classes.

In an unprecedented move by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the inmates participating in GOGI Campus ~ Lynwood were escorted out of their cells and transported to a larger module of 124 detained women.  In a 45 minute “talent” show titled “Tools of Talent”, the 24 GOGI Campus participants shared skits and music describing their use of the GOGI tools.  The audience was provided with examples of how to use relaxation and other cognitive tools to avoid addiction and illegal behavior.
“This is exactly what we were hoping would happen,” Coach Taylor said when asked about this unique privilege.  “If we can get the 2,800 women detained at Lynwood to understand they CAN change and if we can get them to see other women who ARE changing, then we can make miracles happen.”

GOGI Campus ~ Lynwood opened on February 16th, 2008 with a module of 24 girls.  Since its inception, the campus boasts a zero recidism rate with its participants.  “We are still at the early stages,” Coach Taylor said, “but all indications look positive for future successes with the GOGI Campus format.”

The GOGI Campus model for the incarcerated utilizes trained psychological masters and PsyD level volunteers as “coaches” and welcomes a strong community collaboration to support successful reentry.

GOGI Wayside Workshop a Success!

I’m still overwhelmed by the whole experience of teaching the GOGI tools to the inmates at Los Angeles County’s Wayside facility but impressions linger in my mind.  The faces of the men as they each took turns reading from the GOGI Book, the respect with which they listened to the GOGI principals and how humbled I was by the creativity they displayed as they taught the tools to each other.  Yes, it was an exhausting and challenging day but as I left the camp, I felt that I had spent the day among extraordinary men who were ready to make a commitment to changing their lives and I was proud to have been a part of such a group and to feel like a messenger of hope.

Thanks again,

Coach Sherry

June 12, 2008

A letter to a GOGI Sister,

My intention is to just let the words flow and share my words with you.

June 11, 2008 was a HUGE stepping stone for us here in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, in the Aboriginal Community.  Yesterday, our Prime Minister apologized to all 150,000 or so aboriginals who attended residential schools.  As I sat on my couch watching the speeches, tears came to me as I knew deep down in my heart, that our Prime Minister was indeed, also apologizing to me.  Prime Minister Harper took accountability and apologized for past actions when previous PM’s did not have the courage to see the truth.  The Prime Minister asked forgiveness of the Aboriginal Community of the country for failing them so profoundly.
As the Prime Ministers’ MP’s (caucus) spoke, they too were very moved by their words and they too, were making history by “breaking” the silence and making history for our future.  They spoke from the heart and as the people sat outside of Parliament Hill, watching the big screen, hearing these apologies, I could see the healing process begin, even for those who did not attend the residential schools.
The residential schools if you are not aware, were initially set up to educate native children but later became part of a government campaign to assimilate aboriginals and eradicate their culture, “to kill the Indian in the child” as one put it.  Children of all ages were forced from their homes and put into these schools.  150,000 students attended these schools which were run by church-men, nuns and priests who in return abused these children.  So abuse as you can see, comes from all walks of life, even “God’s” worshipers.  The children rarely saw their parents and nor as one survivor said: “some school officials would not contact the children’s parents when their child had passed away.  They were buried in a grave without a marker…..” I heard another survivor speak of what the nuns did, I can not begin to comprehend nor am I willing to put it down in words…..  This, if I’m not mistaken, had been going on for at least 147 years, this is one of Canada’s darkest chapters in history.
For some individuals the healing process will continue, for some it has only just begun and for others, well, they thought that the PM’s and MP’s apologies were not truly authentic, which in my opinion is all about choice.  We all have the choice to heal or not.  It only takes one person to make a difference and this is what I witnessed.  This is just the first steps for Parliament.
Take Nora B. for instance, she was the first Native School Activist who spearheaded the class action lawsuit against the federal government.  And it was only after 12 years of fighting that Nora Bernard and the other survivors across Canada were finally proven right.  Sadly in 2007 Nora was murdered.  So I thank her for taking accountability for us all.  I woke up this morning feeling different, different in the fact that internally my feelings about the abuse had shifted.  You see, I was also a child of abuse.
I went years and years not even acknowledging that fact that the abuse had ever happened.  It wasn’t until I was in my 20’s and went to therapy for many years without even addressing the issue of the abuse.  Today I know that it was all about trust…. trusting myself that is….
Life didn’t seem easy for me, I struggled with depression for most of my childhood up and until  I was 33 years old.  Despair, grief, heartache, isolation were not a stranger to me.  I was subjected to a lot of negativity, verbal/mental/physical and sexual abuse.  I recall as a child of 4 feeling so unimportant.  I had low self esteem, I suffered from migraines and had terrible nightmares.  I felt lost, confused, lonely and miserable.  I was constantly afraid of being punished or beaten that I became extremely accident prone.  My emotional state was horrendous, I was so afraid to just “BE” me.  My childhood and my soul were violated at such a tender age, and that’s when, I “decided” to hide my face so the world would never find me…..
I had many years of nightmares that in the long run, I was subjected to insomnia. I was sent to a physiologist when I was 10 and concluded that I was dyslexic, I struggled even more.  I was a child who hardly cried or smiled.  I prayed to God to die during the day and I prayed to God to keep me alive at the night…..
Through high school and up into my adult life.  I self mutilated and thoughts of suicide pondered.  I went through high school never thinking that I would live past the age of 15.  I stayed alone with my feelings and alone I felt.  I hated the world…..
At the age of 19, I moved out on my own.  I thought that things would change but the patterns followed and I felt even more disconnected.  I didn’t know much about life skills, I felt like I had no roots, and I continued to rebel in my own little way.  The depression did not subside and I isolated myself even more.
At the age of 21, I attend an open house for survivors of abuse.  Not knowing what was to be expected…. that night, was the first time I had ever spoken to anyone about my past, a room full of strangers who afterwards didn’t feel like strangers.  Although, my life somewhat changed, I still struggled.
For many years I stayed in therapy just so that I could exist…..  My soul yearned so much for someone to acknowledge my existence.  I had a very hard time trusting and “trying” to convince myself that it would be for my own benefit to talk about my “saga”, but just couldn’t do it, as I felt shameful and embarrassed.  My behaviour wasn’t improving either and I continued to self mutilate.  Nothing seemed to be working, so I decided to stop the therapy, I simply gave up…..it felt like a shore never reached…..
Years went by and I still managed to “function”.  I had my fair share of failed relationships, frightened friends away with my rollercoaster emotions and continued living the life I only knew.
Then one day, it hit me, the emotional trauma had once again confronted me.  I then felt like I didn’t have a choice BUT to consult my family physician and was prescribed medication.  I thought I could do this all alone and not have to be medicated but my body no longer was able to function.
I didn’t think that the medication was helping.  I didn’t it wasn’t about the medication at all, it was about me NOT willing to deal with the abuse and other issues.  I choose to stay silent which wasn’t the best strategy.  By staying silent, I had lost myself, I couldn’t even remember how to write my name and found myself in my early 30’s in the hospital under surveillance from trying to take my own life and was then admitted to a psychiatric hospital for 5 weeks as an outpatient.  I had the “choice” to face the facts or go back to how I was before.  I found this to be the hardest thing to do.  Feelings started to surface, that I didn’t even knew existed, my body ached, I cried like I never cried before, it felt like my body was going to explode.  It was so intense, I self mutilated continuously….. the emotional pain was too intense, so by hurting myself I could at least control “this” type of pain….. or so I thought.
As mentioned, during my 5 weeks, I continued to self mutilate and it wasn’t until the day I decided to reach out and call my friend Lyne, did the wounds start to heal.  I rolled up my sleeves to show her, I cried, she looked at me, put her arms around me and gave me a hug.  No words were exchanged, just profound love for a friend in need.  From that day forward, I didn’t feel the need to hurt myself again.  I only trusted a few people and she was one of them.  I did not have the family support as I did not inform them of my “saga”.  I needed to heal and tend to myself before I even started thinking about telling them.  To this day, I still have not told them, there’s no need.
I stayed on the medication for about three years, which for some might seem long.  BUT looking back on what I went through as a child, three years wasn’t.  Even though I was against taking the medication, I knew that I could not do this alone and that I need the help.
Once I left the hospital, I was a little more stable and able to function while still on medication.  Things started looking up and then I was introduced to alternative medicine/meditation/personal growth and courses, etc.  My body needed a change, it had endured enough, and I wanted a new lead on life.
Then I met Coach Taylor in 2000 or so and once I started trusting myself more, I understood that safety resided in the truth and the “truth” is what I saw in her.   From then on, I knew that I would never ever be alone again.  I noticed more things had begun to change, now that I had someone, a “friend” to share my feelings with.  I knew that there would be no judgement on her part no matter what I had shared with her.  Slowly, I started to make peace with myself and things just started unfolding.  I also knew that before I could change anything else, I had to change the conversation I was having with “myself”.  So by taking tinier steps and asking for help, I knew that this would change my life profoundly.
Coach Taylor also suggested that I listen to some of her CD’s and for about a year, I went to bed listening and knowing that she was with me, gave me peace of mind and the comfort of her voice helped my healing process.
This past year, Coach Taylor suggested over and over again to write, pray and meditate.  Over and over again I “chose” not to take her advice.  I just couldn’t understand what the purpose was to writing or how this would help me in any way.  OR better yet, maybe I still just didn’t want to deal with the issues of abuse.  So I left it at that…..
I knew I had to get my life back and the invitation to dance the dance of LIFE was calling me.  For the first time, I was able to begin to live a life I never thought possible.   Even though it was challenging at times, I knew that this was all a part of my healing process.  I had to come face to face with the fact that this was a crucial point in my life to heal and evolve.
The internal conversations I was having with myself were no longer serving me and I knew that I couldn’t continue thinking this way.  Remember your ears hear everything you’re saying…..

In September 2007, I emailed my friend Céline.  I asked her if she would do some coaching with me.  She suggested I make a wanted list and to also write for 10 straight days for an hour.  Go deep she said, go deep…..  Well, just hearing those words, my first instincts were to run and hibernate.  It took everything I had to write.  It’s hard to describe how I felt just trying to put the words on paper/email….. Then the next think I knew, I was flying out to see her for in depth personal coaching sessions, as I did with Coach Taylor in 2005.
So after some phone calls to Céline and some coaching emails, I realize how POWERFUL writing was…..  I did apologize though to Coach Taylor for doubting her words and advice….  It was all about choice and I choose not to take her advice and once I did AMAZING internal shifts happened.  My views and thoughts about relationships shifted, my thought process today was no longer the same and I owe it ME for taking ownership of my LIFE!!  My reality expanded, my self-esteem grew, my body stopped hurting and my soul began to flourish.  With the help of both Coaches and with my authentic self, I was able to attain what I was looking for.
I now depend on the courage of my questions which improved my life tremendously that today I no longer see my past as my life, my past is part of my history.  I have all the confidence and understanding that this was and is the path that is beneficial for me.
I am a firm believer that everything in our lives happens for a reason.  Mind you, not everything makes sense to me from time to time; like watching your childhood friend die from breast cancer and leaving her 3 young children (I have NEVER felt so helpless in my life), or feeling unresourceful and living so far way when your friend looses her home to a house fire or being abused.  Somewhere down the road you will eventually understand why all of this had happened or why it’s happening and/or why the same issues are reoccurring.  Even though internally I was hurting, Coach Taylor kept reminding me and securing the fact that whatever hell I went through that it would be SO beneficial in helping the GOGI women, that my past would help so many.  Today, I truly believe her.
I don’t think I ever cried about or from the abuse.  I was just a very angry kid which makes sense to me today.  And maybe today, there’s no need for tears.  I never really said that I had forgiven the abusers either.  I hated what they had done to me.  The MOST important thing for me was to forgive myself and forgive that child of 4.  Healing is a process and sometimes healing can be painful and it can also be very rewarding.  Yes, I was a child of 4 AND today I am NO longer that child of 4.
I still on the occasion have coaching conversations with Coach Taylor and Céline, well, it’s not really a coaching session more like a conversation.
All of this did not come over night, it took some time for me to be able to absorb these massive insights.  I started to “pay attention” and asking for what I wanted in life instead of what I didn’t want.  I also allowed myself not to know.  MY truth will have a huge impact on my internal being.  Trust your instincts and know that your body will NEVER lie to you.
I’m a part of life and life is a part of me.  I continue daily to implicate what I have learned and most of all I learned that I have a “CHOICE”.  I’m full of life, I sleep peacefully, I’m very confident and compassionate person.  Today, I smile not because I have too but because my heart and soul are truly very happy.
With support and self trust I know that anyone can surpass personal challenges.  We owe it to ourselves the self acknowledgement and surpassing our limits.  To trust yourself and love that child, after all, this is all that she wants really…..
Nobody is a nobody…..
Know that you are never alone and that your past is not your life.  “Life” is with you, not against you.  Let life guide you on your journey down the road that never ends, and if you listen closely, there is a song in your heart, all you’ll have to do is listen…..
I am going to take these last moments to say how honoured I am that I was given this opportunity to share my accomplishments and feelings with you.  One last thing before I sign-off, I want to take this time to share with you my personal heart felt apologies.  I am taking accountability in honour of you all for any or all of your sufferings that you may have suffered.
With regards,
Coach Jo
Here are a few poems that I found and wish to share with you.
We only limit ourselves because of our fears.
You can live three weeks without food.
You can live three days without water.
But you cannot live three minutes without hope.

Breathe Baby Breathe

By Coach Taylor

CGA leadership Kevin W and Danny A recently invited me to speak to incarcerated men who had participated in a reentry program which included GOGI tools.  I arrived to the facility on the day of the group’s graduation.  I was inspired by the men’s dedication to self improvement.  I was motivated by their direct questions on making positive decisions and living a powerful life.
After the graduation ceremony a lecture was opened to any individual wishing to attend.  Despite the fact that this GOGI lecture was at the same time as basketball playoffs, we still had a nearly filled chapel of men actively working on improving their lives.
My short lecture on the simple ways of making positive choices was followed by a question and answer period.  Seated in the front row was a young man in his early 20’s who asked how to get rid of having a bad temper and uncontrolled anger.
This question comes up a lot in my discussion with inmates.  Some assume anger is a result of their situation; a result of being in prison.  I believe that being in prison is more often than not a result of their anger.  And, I believe if the individual had known how to successfully process their emotions and their reactions through proper breathing techniques, it is likely they would not have addiction problems or be in prison.
The young man who asked that question, I later learned, had been given a life sentence when he was a seventeen years old boy.  Anger and rage had driven him to actions which resulted in a life sentence. What can you tell a young man about letting go of anger when his entire life will be spent as property of the State?  His life’s course was altered by the decisions made as a child under the influence of drugs, alcohol and gang affiliation.
The day after the lecture the young man wrote the GOGI offices asking for  additional guidance on the subjects discussed in the workshop. I will write a personal letter to this boy but I suspected as I read his letter that of the 2.3 million incarcerated individuals in the United States, there is a lot of anger which is not being dealt with optimally.  The young man’s question during the workshop represents the pain and struggle of many individuals, in prison or not.
Here are some things you can do, ways you can think about life and living which will prove to free you from anger and let you create an opportunity for internal freedom.

One Thing at a Time
I have never met individuals who can be angry and breathe properly at the same time.  It seems as if the only way to be angry is to shut off good breathing.  I have never seen a person take a deep breath before they hauled off and hit someone.  I know they take a drink.  I know they take a hit.  But I have never heard of anyone breathing properly before they become violent. It is almost as if it is physiologically impossible to be in a state of anger and breathing with your entire body getting oxygen at the same time.
Oxygen to the entire body may be the single most powerful relaxant your body has available at any time, any day, any where.  When you get oxygen to the entire body your body will automatically relax.  If you want to eliminate anger you must first learn how to breathe.

What is Breathing?
Breathing is the body’s automatic process of getting oxygen into the bloodstream.  Breathing is not just filling up the lungs, it is getting oxygen to every cell of the body by way of the lungs.  Blood flows throughout your body, all the way to your fingers and toes.  When we usually think of breathing, however, we think of getting air into the lungs or filling up the chest area.  The first thing you can do to start breathing properly is think about breathing for what it really is….. getting oxygen to the entire body.
Your entire body needs oxygen.  If your entire body in involved in the breathing process.  Every cell of your body is relying on your ability to get breath to oxygenate the body properly.  Simply put, your entire body must breath.  Your toes need oxygen.  Your fingers need oxygen.  When you let your fingers and toes get oxygen it is difficult to be angry.

Baby Breathing
Unless you were born addicted to drugs because your mother was an addict when you were born then it is likely you knew how to breathe properly. When you were a tiny little baby your body knew, instinctually, how to relax. Little babies breathe with their entire body, the entire body expanding and contracting with every breath.  The baby’s belly will rise and fall; it’s precious little hands and feet effortlessly being nourished with fresh oxygen.  When you were born you knew how to breathe.
Then, at some point, the baby hears yelling or is startled. Or the baby watches mom breathe poorly and starts to breathe like mom breathes. Or a sibling will roughhouse the baby and the baby gets frightened.  Or the baby is abused, beaten or maltreated and good breathing is all but non existent.  When the baby is startled or scared it responds naturally to fear.  The body shuts down good breathing for a little while so that energy can be put into survival.  If the baby is fearful over a period of time, the baby forgets how to breathe naturally and a new habit is formed.  Shallow and ineffective breathing take over.
When this little person enters school they do not know how to breathe properly because their body has developed a new habit.  They can not relax. They can not think too clearly, get restless, can’t focus, get angry. They get into trouble.  They are not able to relearn how to breathe.  The teacher starts to complain about their behavior.
As a teen, the individual still can’t seem to relax so they smoke their first cigarette or take their first drink.  They buy into the lie that it helps them relax.  In truth, they are just numbing themselves. At that first drag, at that first sip they enter the cycle of really not learning how to breathe, and they are headed toward bad behavior resulting from their bad choices.
Drugs and alcohol are liars.  They don’t relax anyone, they numb.  Being numb is not being relaxed.  When you are numb you can commit crimes because you do not feel like normal humans feel, understanding the pain you may inflict on others.  When you are numb it does not matter what you do, you are in an empty cycle of trying to feel better.

Internal Anger
Meanwhile, while all these bad choices are being made, there is an internal anger brewing; anger about just about everything.  It’s like a free floating anger which pops up at odd times and sometimes for no reason.  With this internal anger there is hostility toward systems, rules, regulations, protocol, order, cleanliness, goodness, peace, forgiveness, and true leadership born of positive human values.  This anger paralyzes, restricts, constricts, shackles and four-points the individual into a life of prison.  This internal anger oftentimes results in bursts of physical actions justified as “punishment” or “retaliation” or “even the score” or “payback” or “saving face.”   In truth, these physical actions are little more than the inability to adequately and maturely handle feelings of anger.

Drugs Make it Easy
Drugs and alcohol make it easy to justify violence and anger because it numbs the individual.  So many (estimates are as high as eighty percent) of our nation’s prisoners are addicted to drugs and alcohol.  Likely this addiction started out as the only way to “relax.”  Quickly, however, the individual abdicated their right to ever relax, turning their body over to the destructive forces of drugs and anger.
When the person tries to remain drug and alcohol free they are overwhelmingly sad, depressed and angry.  They can’t get past this feeling so they run to the bottle once again, never really getting past the process of developing new tools to handle life’s challenges.
Drugs make it easy to throw your life away.

Breathe Baby Breathe
What is my advice to the young man who may be spending the next 70 years behind bars?  Breathe, Baby, Breathe.  Breathe like a baby every minute of the day.  Let the body do what the body does best, breathe.  The young man has many powerful years of self reflection and service ahead of him.  He can take classes which promote healthy bodies and then become a scholar, teaching new prisoners the power of good breathing.  He can master his breath and become a spokesman and statesman among his peers, promoting the development of powerful and positive coping tools for all inmates.  He can read a thousand books and eventually write his own book on breathing.
What is amazing about life is that our weakest link can become our greatest strength.  When I looked at his eager and childlike face as he asked the question from the front row of the audience, I did not see a young man who was bad or vicious, regardless of actions of his past.  What I saw was a young man who never learned how to process the natural emotions felt by all individuals.  As I said to him that day, he was “over cooked and ready for change.” I saw a young man who never learned to breathe.  I saw a world of possibilities in his life.  Leadership, expertise, teaching are all in his future. To him and to every incarcerated individual (in prison or not)  I say….. Eliminate your anger….Breathe, Baby, Breathe!

GETTING OUT BY GOING IN (GOGI) supports positive decision making skills for the 2.3 million men, women and children behind bars in the United States of America.  We do this through our specific projects:
1.    GOGI Books: In a readable 328 page softbound format, PRISON: GETTING OUT BY GOING IN combines clinically proven cognitive tools with simple examples and application for supporting behavioral change for the incarcerated.  PRISON: GETTING OUT BY GOING IN is supported entirely by donation. Approved for distribution to most prisons, PRISON: GETTING OUT BY GOING IN is also sold to the general public on amazon.com, borders.com, barnesandnoble.com, target.com, and most other online booksellers.  The book is offered free of charge to any requesting inmate through donor contributions and offered to prison libraries and prison education programs at a liberal discount.
2.    GOGI Campus: With the goal of reducing our nation’s recidivism rate, GOGI has the goal of a GOGI Campus within every facility of incarceration throughout the United States, the first GOGI Campus opened February 16, 2008 at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Century Regional Detention Facility for women.  In this unique Community Collaboration Reentry Project, detained women participate in a full immersion program designed to educate and support the positive decision making essential for reentry success. Knowing a continuum of care is essential in eliminating recidivism, the “graduating students” are assigned a GOGI Coach to support them through the reentry process.  Graduates are required in some cases by the courts to participate in GOGI community service after their release.  The GOGI Campus program is quickly becoming an alternative to state prison sentencing with an increasing number of inmates receiving on-going GOGI education, participation and community service as their court ordered punishment for crimes.
3.    GOGI Workshops: As a powerful presentation of positive mental health concepts delivered in 2 hour to 3 day workshop format, the GOGI workshops are available to any setting of incarceration at a nominal fee. The GOGI workshops began as a volunteer effort of Coach Taylor in 2002 at FCI Terminal Island. Since that time the GOGI workshop has earned the rare distinction as the most successful secular volunteer program to receive the rare inclusion into the mandated release preparation, drug treatment, and anger management curriculum at Terminal Island Federal Prison in San Pedro, California.  The GOGI program at Terminal Island, which consists of groups of up to 65 inmates meeting weekly to learn the GOGI tools, has been a consistent program for more than five years.  More than 600 inmates have graduated from the GOGI programs taught in English and Spanish at FCI Terminal Island.
4.    GOGI Peer Coaching: Graduates of the GOGI program who are released from custody are invited to participate in PEER COACH TRAINING of coaches and past participants held each week in the Los Angeles area.  Once competency in teaching the GOGI tools is proven, the graduate earns the title of GOGI Peer Coach and is given the opportunity to speak to groups and organizations.  Many graduates have expressed a need to share their learning with other inmates.  Even while incarcerated via mail correspondence, homework and certification requirements, inmates receive certification as Peer Coaches and are trained in the teaching of the GOGI tools.  GOGI supports these Peer Coaches as they assemble groups and utilize the GOGI book to teach concepts to others.
5.    GOGI Correspondence: As an on-going support, GOGI supports inmates through letters and newsletters responding to the written requests for assistance in the process of lasting change.  Inmates who read the GOGI book or who participate in the GOGI workshop oftentimes feel compelled to share their experience or ask questions.  Inmates contribute to our GOGI website, sharing their successes with others.
6.    GOGI Lecture/Speaking: Promoting a greater understanding of human potential, positive mental health, and the possibility of lasting life changes, GOGI supports lectures within the setting of incarceration as well as to organizations involved with at risk or incarcerated individuals.  Former inmates, coaches and volunteers participate in speaking about GOGI and the GOGI tools for rapid and lasting changes. Coach Taylor is also active in sharing her experience in human behavioral change linked to cognitive tools and perceptual shifts.  Most recently Coach Taylor’s lectures and speaking engagements include: the World Congress on Psychology and Spirituality in Delhi India, the Los Angeles Department of Juvenile Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Pepperdine University School of Education and Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Court TV Radio, WOR Radio New York, Recovery Talk Radio and others.

GETTING OUT BY GOING IN (GOGI) relies on donations to support our volunteer driven projects and activities.

You can make donations to our foundation through our checkout process.

Getting Out by Going In
PO Box 88969
Los Angeles, CA 90009

It was an honor to meet some of the great people who are involved in GOGI during my visit last week to Los Angeles.  All the participants could not have been nicer to me.  I learned so much from all of you too.  I send a special thanks to Coach Taylor.  You are such an inspiration to all of us!

If you are a woman is who staying at the GOGI campus at Lynwood, I want you to know that I will never forget any of you.  You touched my heart with your words, your smiles and your wisdom.  You are very strong, intelligent, beautiful women.  You WILL be at “the top of your game,” building community and enjoying your lives. I smile now when I think of your skits that you presented last Saturday.  Each of you actualized Coach Taylor’s concept of resolving problems and making positive decisions. Congratulations to each of you!!

If you are a coach, I would like to extend a personal thanks for all the good work you do for the community.  As you train to become great leaders in your profession, you also realize the importance of asking great questions and listening to each other for answers. Remind yourself that you need to take time for YOU so that you can be refreshed and” at the top of your game” for those you counsel.  I send a special thank you to Dr. Moore.  Your leadership will provide those coaches with valued expertise!

If you are member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, I want to thank you all for the wonderful reception you gave me when I spoke to you on Friday, May 23rd.  It was clear that you understood and appreciated the work of Coach Taylor. You shared such amazingly positive stories of how GOGI can be incorporated into the Department. I look forward to working with all of you in the future.

Dr. Kimora - John Jay College of Criminal Justice - New York, NY 10019  kimora@jjay.cuny.edu

Soon-to-be Peer Coach Maria

Working toward her certification as a peer coach, GOGI Campus Graduate Maria, is teaching psychology Masters students how to use the GOGI Tools.
Displaying the ability to teach the GOGI tools is one step toward earning certification as a GOGI Peer Coach.