Parenting Inside/Out (PIO)

	I was so worried about being a father…I was actually pretty scared. The skills and knowledge I got from taking this class gave me that boost of confidence I needed.  I think I can do it now.
	-Tony

Tony gained his confidence and skills through a program called Parenting Inside/Out, a comprehensive parent training curriculum that addresses the unique challenges of parenting effectively from prison.  The course content, which is based on scientific principles and research-based instructional design, yields practical results for men and women in Oregon correction facilities. 

Regular classroom sessions provide opportunities for growth in parenting knowledge and skills with an emphasis on role playing and interactive peer discussion.  Participants also focus on three major projects:

• Development of a family mission statement
• Construction of a creative project that is a reflection of the inmate’s family, to be given to the child at PIO graduation
• Creation of a family action plan detailing how the inmate will apply parenting skills upon release

	I didn’t even know how to begin to talk to my children’s caregivers and now I have regular and helpful information to share.  I have learned to believe I can be a good mom and meet my kids’ needs.
	-Denise

Outreach efforts are initiated by the inmate to expose the caregiver to the same information received by the inmate. If a caregiver is part of the on-going research study, monthly packets of informational handouts detailing the course content are sent to the caregiver and follow-up calls from the parent educator help clarify the materials.

This unique curriculum has been field tested in six institutions during the past three years and has undergone numerous revisions to improve information and instructional design, as well as reflect the input from educators and inmates.

	If it weren’t for this program, I don’t know how (my son) Joseph would be.  He gets to come here every Saturday.  I know now how to interact with him at his stage of development.  My focus on my son has helped me know I am never coming back to prison again.
	-Crystal

Additional information on the Parenting Inside/Out curriculum can be found in our Training and Support section.