It is human nature to screw up. It is how we learn, adapt and grow. This does not excuse causing harm to others, but it is an important thing to remember when we think about our mistakes.

Sadness. Stress. Fear. These emotions feel like they are swallowing us whole. When we feel these emotions, it is hard to see anything other than the feeling, especially when in prison. Every emotion has a message behind it.

Anger is an alert siren that tells us when our boundaries have been violated or when our needs have not been met. Healthy anger involves expressing ourselves and working towards a resolution.

Anger can be a confusing emotion, especially when it doesn’t seem to fit the situation you are in.

Grief does not discriminate as to whether the loss is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for you; it is about the absence of something you have held close for a long time.

It is a common misconception that sadness is ‘weakness’ and that to feel sad somehow undermines one’s ‘toughness.