Alternatives to Violence (AVP) is an association of community, school, and prison-based groups offering experiential workshops in personal growth, community development, and creative conflict management. AVP, an international organization, came to Maryland Correctional Institute (MCI-H) in the summer of 1991. AVP coordinates a program with outside volunteers working with inmates to teach alternative ways of resolving conflict other than guns, knives, and fists.
Nancy and Thomas Horst along with Lora Byler (deceased) were involved with the program for 16 years. The program stopped during the pandemic and has not yet resumed.