Utah State Prison introduces KAVA program to promote healthy communication

SALT LAKE CITY — To prevent an inmate’s return to violence, the Utah State Prison is introducing a new program called KAVA.

KAVA stands for Knowledge Above Violence Always. Participants pledge to speak out against violence and promote a non-violent culture.

Deputy Warden Bryan Taylor said one of the goals is to quell potential violence.

“It allows an opportunity for people to sit down and verbalize the problem so that it can just get worked through,” he said.

The program is designed to help inmates sit down and talk through problems.

“So, rather than frustration behind the scenes (and) potentially violence,” Taylor said. “Whether there’s fights or other things happen because of misunderstandings.”

KAVA began as a domestic violence prevention program. It now addresses all forms of violence.

Program teachers with the Utah State Prison will help participants understand violence prevention, intervention, and healing. The program challenges stereotypes of masculinity and replaces them with respect, equity and accountability.

Tammy Kikuchi is a reporter and anchor for KSL NewsRadio.

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