Hard Journeys Home: A Book Group for Justice-Involved Veterans

FAIN: AV-266016-19

Maine Humanities Council (Portland, ME 04102-1012)
Elizabeth Sinclair (Project Director: November 2018 to present)
Jan Bindas-Tenney (Co Project Director: March 2019 to present)

The training of scholars and veterans to convene discussion groups at 10 sites for veterans who are incarcerated or supported by rehabilitation programs within the Maine courts system.

“Hard Journeys Home: a Book Group for Justice-involved Veterans" is a unique humanities initiative for Maine Veterans involved in the criminal justice system. A scholar-led, Veteran–centered reading and discussion program, the project helps Veterans form relationships with one another, reflect upon issues of particular concern, and engage with materials that help them see their own stories as part of a larger human experience. The groups will serve incarcerated Veterans in county jails and state prison facilities, as well as participants in the Veterans Court, a diversionary program of the Maine Judiciary. The project will begin with a preparatory program for NEH Discussion Leaders and co-facilitators. Participants will be provided an orientation to military culture and the special concerns related to facilitating humanities-based discussions in a corrections setting. The preparatory session will offer guidance in how to facilitate discussions of ancient and contemporary literature.