Some classes are more chaotic than others, and some are smooth as silk. Sometimes not having any words is better. The discoveries these kids are making about themselves is amazing. Our hope is that these discoveries will remain, and I think the silence has helped a lot. They don't get a lot of silence in this institution.
Critics believe such notions are heartfelt but misguided.
But to say in and of itself it's any great new workable approach, in my opinion, is naive. It's not necessarily what is being taught, but the fact that the children are feeling attended to. Of the 15 state juvenile facilities in California, three have Native American sweat lodges. At the California Youth Authority's correctional facility near Camarillo recently, several dozen young people experienced the ancient ceremony, which symbolizes a return to Mother Earth's womb to gain strength, guidance, purification and healing. This is an ancient and peaceful way to purify what's imbalanced.