The Men Stopping Violence program was created in direct response to a crucial need regarding violent men, both in prison and in the population as a whole. For many years, critics have argued that violent men could not be rehabilitated. The view was, "once violent, always violent."

Through his personal experience with incarcerated men, Joe Marinello came to believe that many of these men could learn to have effective and productive lives without violence. It is not easy; patterns developed as far back as early childhood resist change. That is precisely why the intense nature of M.S.V. is so important. The concentrated, daily work is what allows these men to change themselves.

Methodically, applying proven psychological principles, the M.S.V. program makes that change possible. The core of M.S.V. is centered in the specially designed and developed Workbook, which has evolved through years of daily contact and interaction with violent men.

The following psycho-educational components are provided over the 20 weeks of the program.

• Domestic Violence Overview
  
• Signs and Dynamics of Domestic Violence
  
• Understanding Your Particular Cycle of Violence
  
• Understanding Thinking Errors (Cognitive Distortions)
  
• Communication Styles
  
• Relationships
  
• Family Roles
  
• Empathy Training
  
• Assertiveness Boundaries
  
• Assertiveness Training
  
• Anger Styles
  
• Anger Management
  
• Stress Management
  
• Healthy Shame
  
• Role Play of Past Abusive Acts
  
• Video Labs
  
• Relapse Prevention
  
• Effective Living
  
• Aftercare

Depending on need, the capability of some of the participants, a total of five individuals, who have successfully completed the program, may be selected by the treatment team to continue on with the program as peer counselors. While working in this capacity, those individuals would continue to receive gain time and perhaps earn a moderate stipend for their services.

For more details, take a look at the Table of Contents of the M.S.V. workbook.