The charges were dropped. He apologized to the man he had hurt and asked for his forgiveness. That's when I started to understand there was a God. The program helps its participants understand the roots of their violent behavior, so they can overcome it. They also learn communication skills, to help them deal effectively and nonviolently with others.
Violence is a learned behavior and it can be unlearned.
Peer support and a transitional program is critical to making the change, he said. Telling people what to do never worked. I just tell people my story. A guy that did 16 years in prison came to RSVP and I stood up and shared my story. They learn how it progresses.