What is the Jericho Circle Project?
The Jericho Circle Project is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that brings men’s work to offenders and ex-offenders in institutional and community settings. The project creates circles to help men become more aware of the connection between their feelings, perceptions and behaviors. As offenders see themselves more clearly, they develop a deeper understanding of how their personal pain and struggles have taken them off course and caused pain to others. Through guided group processes and training in emotional literacy, men build the skills necessary to re-vision interrupted and misguided lives. The project empowers offenders by breaking down the walls that separate them from themselves and others. Once the walls begin coming down, offenders can redirect their lives toward greater commitment, self-awareness, and civic responsibility. JCP assists men who have broken the law to face difficult truths about themselves so they can identify and pursue more productive directions in their lives.
What are our goals?
The project seeks to develop a national network of facilitators, standardized curricular materials and support services to assist offenders in federal, state and county institutions, transitional facilities (half-way houses, pre-release centers, etc.), and community settings. We focus on three broad target areas:
The organization and implementation of men's
circles in institutions

The creation of intensive workshops (3-5 days)
for incarcerated men

The development of "outside circles" to receive
men leaving institutions and reentering the
community.
What do we teach?
Our programs teach a variety of skills and techniques:
How to create safe containers for men's work (a
prerequisite for cooperation and trust between men)
How to develop frameworks (i.e. rules, agreements and
commitments) to anchor and structure deep "work" among
men.
How to acknowledge basic human feelings
How to distinguish feelings, interpretations and facts
How to own, rather than project, thoughts, assessments
and feelings
How to become accountable and act with integrity in
relationship with others
How to safely discharge negative feelings and resolve
conflicts with others
How to discover a life direction by identifying personal
visions and action plans
How to heal deep wounds that stand in the way of personal
empowerment and responsible action in the world
How to lead an engaged and authentic life that gives back
to the community.

Copyright Jericho Circle Project, Inc. 2003
P.O. Box 398045, Cambridge, MA 02139		 Site Design by Larry Kwong and Earl Misquitta