Changing the Narrative
See all blog posts
Changing the Narrative
By Mary Nolin, NHH Program Manager - Connections adult literacy
During her 16 months of incarceration, Laurel Ayotte read 347 books. The first book she read when she came to Dismas Home NH, a residential treatment facility for women with substance use disorder and the experience of incarceration, was KooKooLand by NH native Gloria Norris. On Wednesday March 12, Laurel got to meet Ms. Norris as part of a panel on how literature can be a tool for addressing incarceration, substance abuse and mental health challenges. It was a powerful moment for Laurel, and for the 50 guests at the Woman's Club in Concord.
Hosted by New Hampshire Humanities (NHH), The Woman’s Club of Concord, Dismas Home New Hampshire, and the NH Department of Corrections (DOC), the event featured Norris, Ayotte, and Tiffani Arsenault from the NH Department of Corrections. Together, they shared stories about the power of literature to change the narrative around these issues, but also the lives of people reading these books. Women at Dismas Home and incarcerated parents at the NH State Prison for Men (NHSPM) both read KooKooLand through NHH’s Connections program this month.
KooKooland tells Gloria Norris’ experience of growing up in the projects of Manchester in the 1960s. Norris detailed how her family endured the impacts of domestic violence, the incarceration of her friend Susan, and the chronic struggle with substance abuse. When asked why she wrote the book and the impact it has had on people, Norris replied, “That’s what literature can do. It goes across gender, time, and expresses why I wanted to do it. I wanted to shine a light on a lot of these issues.”
For Tiffani Arsenault, administrator of the Family Connections Center at the NH Department of Corrections, the book’s relatability was the main reason why she selected KooKooland for her current Connections class with incarcerated fathers at the NHSPM in Concord. Arsenault shared, “This is such a common story. It is something they can relate to. Literature can provide them that validation that it’s not just them and then open the conversation and say, ‘Oh we can talk about [issues like] this.’” The Connections program provides free facilitated discussions for incarcerated parents and works with the DOC to send physical copies of the books with an audio recording back to the children of incarcerated parents. Arsenault sees this as a key way to break the cycle of incarceration, substance abuse, and poor mental health affecting families. “Using literature to open the conversation and maybe encourage them [the incarcerated parents] in the right direction, maybe this can break that cycle because they are okay to talk about it. Now they are using literature as a tool and talking about it with their kids. Their kids have this knowledge without going through it.”
Revisiting KooKooLand through the Connections program deepened Laurel’s appreciation for the book. “I saw a whole different perspective reading it. I was actually more invested in reading it. Today with Gloria was probably the most special day coming since I’ve been here [Dismas Home].” Laurel has been sober for over two years now and is working to transition into independent living in the next few months. She credits the clinical services and therapy provided by Dismas Home, journaling, and of course literature, in supporting her personal growth and recovery. Ayotte concluded the event saying, “Every time you read a book you learn. Two people sitting down and reading or discussing a book is really an amazing thing.”
Learn more about the Connections program here.
