Oregon Prison Project

Mission: To create safer communities through Nonviolent Communication and empathy skillbuilding.
Our programs support peaceful, thriving communities in three important ways:
TEACHING: Our Nonviolent Communication training in prisons and post-release programs, support participants with the empathy and communication tools to resolve conflicts peacefully.

EMPOWERING: Supporting incarcerated program participants to become peer trainers, developing the leadership they need to teach Nonviolent Communications skills in their communities.

VOLUNTEERING: Investing in Nonviolent Communication practitioner volunteers through training, supervised practicum, observation and feedback, growing the pipeline of Nonviolent Communication teachers.

Our Impact
Prior to the pandemic, 30+ of our dedicated volunteers went weekly to classes in 5 Oregon prisons and one post-release program, serving over 200 participants each year. We offer Inmate and Post-release Nonviolent Communication Education in partnership with:

Oregon State Penitentiary (maximum security facility, Salem OR). This 48-week program is delivered in 2-hour classes to more than 100 participants annually, with 75 AICs currently on the waiting list.

Columbia River (minimum security facility, Portland, OR)

Coffee Creek (women’s medium, women’s minimum, and prison intake, Wilsonville OR)

Deer Ridge (minimum security facility, Madras OR)

Mill Creek (minimum security facility, Salem, OR)

PHOENIX House (post-release program, Portland OR)

The pandemic greatly impacted the effectiveness of our service and we’re working to rebuild that. Currently we're back in 2 of those 5 Oregon prisons. We'd love your support in our effort to increase our service to pre-pandemic numbers and beyond!