The Transforming Power of Group Relations in Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) in Portlaoise Prison

27 November 2025

INTRODUCTION

My name is […] I am currently serving time in Portlaoise Prison. Over the past few years, I have become deeply involved in the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), not just as a participant but now as a facilitator. This journey has changed how I see myself, how I relate to others, and how I understand the power of groups.

Groups are everywhere in life – families, workplaces, communities, and prisons. They shape how we behave, how we communicate, and how we resolve conflict. In prison, group dynamics are especially important because they can either reinforce destructive behaviours or create opportunities for rehabilitation. For me, AVP has been a lifeline, showing that even in the toughest environment, people can learn to trust, cooperate, and transform their relationships.

This essay explores the concept of Transforming Power within AVP and connects it to theories of group dynamics, social identity, and facilitation. I will reflect on my own experience facilitating AVP workshops in Portlaoise Prison, showing how interpersonal issues like trust, communication, and emotional regulation affect group effectiveness and productivity. By combining personal experience with academic theory, I hope to show how AVP demonstrates the potential of groups to change lives.

REVIEWING THE THEORIES OF GROUP RELATIONS AND EFFECTIVENESS

Group Dynamics and Behaviour

Groups are complex systems. Forsyth (2024) describes them as entities where individuals influence each other, while Froggett (2005) highlights Bion’s psychoanalytic view that groups often swing between cooperation and resistance. I see this every time I start a workshop: some men are open and ready to share, while others are guarded, waiting to see if they can trust the process.

Gençer (2019) explains that group behaviour is shaped by leadership, cohesion, and conflict resolution. Guerin (1999) adds that problems like social loafing or deindividuation can reduce productivity if not addressed. In AVP, we tackle these issues by setting ground rules and encouraging active participation, which echoes Schlackman’s (2002) findings that clear goals improve group performance.

Identity and Intergroup Relations

Social identity theory (Worchel et al., 1998; Tajfel and Turner, 1979) shows how belonging to a group can either unite people or divide them. In prison, identity is often tied to past conflicts or loyalties, but AVP helps create a new shared identity based on nonviolence and cooperation. Cuhadar and Dayton (2011) explain that identity/based conflicts arise when groups feel threatened, and I see this when men hesitate to open up about their experiences.

Alison and Herlocker (1994) add that in diverse settings, people categorise each other based on demographics, which influences impressions and interactions. In prison, these categories might be based on background, crime, or reputation. AVP challenges these labels by encouraging participants to see each other as human beings with shared struggles.

Facilitation and Experiential Learning

Facilitation is critical for group effectiveness. Casey, Roberts and Salaman (1992) argue that facilitators create safe spaces for learning, while Brooks-Harris and Brooks-Harris (2005) highlight experiential learning as a way to deepen engagement. McNamara (2018) and Prendiville (2004) provide practical guidelines for facilitators, which I use every time I run a workshop: setting ground rules, encouraging respect, and making sure everyone has a voice.

Minahan and Hutton (2004) remind us that groups develop over time, moving through stages of forming, storming, norming, and performing. In AVP, I see this progression clearly: the first evening is about forming, Saturday often involves storming as people confront difficult emotions, and by Sunday the group is performing, working together with trust and openness.

Cultural and Structural Influences

National culture and institutional context also affect group effectiveness. Cramton and Hinds (2013) shows how cultural differences shape resistance to teamwork, while Dolmans and Wolfhagen (2005) highlight the impact of facilitator performance on group productivity. In Ireland, restorative justice initiatives supported by the Irish Penal Reform Trust and Community Restorative Justice Ireland reflect a cultural emphasis on dialogue and reconciliation (IPRT, 2025; CRJI, 2025). AVP fits into this wider movement, showing that even in prison, people can learn to relate differently.

FACILITATING AVP IN PORTLAOISE PRISON

In Portlaoise Prison, I facilitate AVP workshops with groups of 10-12 men. The workshops run over three days: Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday. On the first evening, the atmosphere is often tense. Some men know each other, others don’t, and there’s a mix of anxiety and curiosity. To break the ice, we ask everyone to give themselves a nickname, which adds a bit of fun and helps people relax.

We then set ground rules together. Respect is always at the top of that list. Some men decide not to return the next day, and that’s okay – AVP is voluntary. But those who stay begin to open up. On Saturday, we divide into smaller groups to share experiences of violence, forgiveness, and empathy. One man once asked to switch groups so he could share a powerful story about forgiveness. His openness inspired others to share, and the room shifted from silence to connection.

The concept of Transforming Power is at the heart of these workshops. It’s about finding the strength within ourselves to respond to conflict without violence (AVP International, 2025). I’ve seen men who were once quick to anger pause and reflect, choosing dialogue instead. This is where theory meets practice: AVP creates a space where group dynamics change, and people begin to trust each other.

Community building is another key aspect. People need to feel comfortable working together, and AVP provides exercises that encourage cooperation. For example, we often use role plays where participants act out scenarios of conflict and then explore nonviolent alternatives. These activities not only teach skills but also build solidarity.

DISCUSSING INTERPERSONAL ISSUES, THEORETICAL ARGUMENTS, AND ALTERNATIVES

Here I want to integrate three academic arguments between theories to show how they connect, clash, and complement each other.

Argument 1: Social Identity vs. Group Facilitation

Social identity theory (Tajfel and Turner, 1979) suggests that group membership can reinforce divisions, while facilitation theory (Casey et al., 1992; Brooks-Harris and Brooks-Harris, 2005) argues that skills facilitation can overcome these divisions. In prison, identities based on crime, gang affiliation, or background often divide men. AVP workshops, however, use facilitation to create a new identity rooted in cooperation and nonviolence.

Alternative: Without facilitation, identity divisions may persist, leading to mistrust and conflict. A possible alternative is peer-led facilitation, where participants themselves take turns leading exercises. This could strengthen ownership of the process and reduce dependency on external facilitators.

Argument 2: Group Dynamics vs. Emotional Regulation

Forsyth (2024) and Gençer (2019) highlight the importance of group cohesion and conflict resolution, while Guerin (1999) and Schlackman (2002) stress the role of emotional regulation and goal orientation. In AVP, group dynamics are shaped by exercises that encourage sharing, but emotional regulation is equally critical. A group cannot function effectively if anger or fear dominates.

Alternative: Integrating mindfulness or trauma- informed practices into AVP could enhance emotional regulation. This would complement existing exercises on forgiveness and empathy, giving participants more tools to manage emotions.

Argument 3: Cultural Context vs. Universal Principles

Cramton and Hinds (2013) shows that culture influences teamwork, while AVP claims that Transforming Power is a universal principle. In Ireland, restorative justice practices align well with AVP, but cultural differences in other countries may require adaptation.

Alternative: AVP could develop culturally tailored modules that respect local traditions when maintaining core principles. For example, in Ireland, workshops could integrate Gaelic cultural practices of storytelling and community dialogue to deepen engagement.

FINAL RECOMMENDATION

Based on these arguments, my recommendation is that AVP in Ireland – and especially in prisons like Portlaoise – should integrate peer-led facilitation, trauma-informed emotional regulation practices, and culturally tailored modules.

1. Peer-led facilitation would empower participants to take ownership of the process, reducing reliance on external facilitators and strengthening group identity.
2. Trauma-informed practices would help participants regulate emotions more effectively, complementing AVP’s focus on forgiveness and empathy.
3. Cultural tailoring would ensure that AVP resonates with Irish traditions of storytelling and community, making workshops more meaningful and accessible.

By combining these alternatives, AVP can enhance group effectiveness, reduce conflict, and build stronger communities within prisons. As an inmate serving time in Portlaoise Prison, this recommendation is not just theoretical – it is practical. I have seen how AVP changes lives, and I believe these steps could make it even more powerful.

CONCLUSION

I have seen how groups can change. Through AVP, I have learned that Transforming Power is not just a theory but a lived reality. In Irish prisons, AVP workshops provide a practical application of these theories, helping participants. It shows that even in the toughest environments, people can choose nonviolence, empathy, and cooperation.

Theories of group dynamics, social identity, and facilitation explain why groups succeed or fail. But AVP demonstrates that with the right structure, trust, and openness, groups can overcome interpersonal issues and become productive communities. In Ireland, AVP and restorative justice initiatives prove that rehabilitation is possible when we focus on relationships rather than punishment.

For me, facilitating AVP is more than a role – it is a way of living out the belief that groups can transform themselves. It is proof that even in prison, people can build community, heal wounds, and prepare for a better future.

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