‘I’m Ready for This Next Chapter’

I finally finished my VPP (Violence Prevention Program) in late June. It was one of the wisest decisions I ever made.

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I have learnt so much about myself; I was shown CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy), emotional regulation and Wise Mind.

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These skills have been the key to my rehabilitation. I have struggled with my anger for my whole life.

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CBT has shown me how to not react to situations with violence and to use my thought process in a totally different way. Not reacting out of emotion has been the key for me.

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Once I practised CBT on a daily basis I then saw how we use it each and every day in life. It has changed my life.

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The course also focused on core beliefs. My core belief for more than 20 years was “extreme violence solves everything”. Now I know that is such a stupid belief. But in my world of prison life and being on the streets, the more violent, the more fear and more control over the situation. But that’s not what is needed to survive in modern-day society, you can’t stand over the local real estate agent, you can’t treat people with such violence.

I just bought my first ever house with my class action payout and I learnt a lot of lessons. I was on a supermax division 23-hour lockdown on 7th March, and I had to be patient. I could not demand results; I made an offer, put down deposit and then it was a stressful four weeks.

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I had no control over what went on, I had to wait to be told yes offer accepted, then I could get the ball rolling, because ya know it is all done ready to be paid in cash in full, yes outright no mortgage, no stuffing around. But I realised that this is how life is: I can’t control everything the way I can living this lifestyle, so I was like “stuff it, this is how I need to be – focused on the future and stopping using emotions to solve all my issues”.

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Now all said done, I just sat for parole and was lucky to get a successful outcome.

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All my hard work has paid off. The board was impressed with my turnaround and said that I have shown great things since starting and completing the program. After five years, it’s now time to put all the things I have learnt into action out into the community.

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Three and a half years I’m on parole for. Yes it’s a long time but I’m ready for this next chapter.