The benefits of yoga for prisoners

Yoga is taught in many prisons around the world for a variety of reasons: to help manage stress, to support general health and relieve various physical ailments, but mainly as a method of correcting and reforming the personality of the offender. This last approach enjoys greater recognition and acceptance from governments and prison authorities.

Common problems:

In high-security prisons — especially in Australia, England, and America — prisoners are treated like caged animals, confined to a space no larger than an average bathroom, separated from loved ones, friends, and family, and surrounded by people who are often mentally unstable, unpredictable, angry, frustrated, and sometimes aggressive. The prisoner must learn new ways of coping with this new environment and with the other inmates who share it — new ways of coping and surviving. On top of this comes the trauma and stress of the trial, the sentencing, and the imprisonment that follows. New labels — "convict," "prisoner," and "inmate" — will follow them for the rest of their lives, with only the prefix "ex" ever added.

All these factors have a profound impact on the psychological, emotional, and physical layers, giving rise to high levels of anxiety, stress, anger, fear, depression, frustration and insomnia, digestive disorders, high blood pressure, bowel problems, ulcers, migraines, allergies, back problems, and more — all of which are common among prisoners.

Contributing factors:

When working with inmates, we must be aware that in most cases the crime or crimes committed stemmed from a distortion of the mind, inner stress, psychological disharmony, and unresolved tension. When there is an imbalance in the relationship between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, together with an improper distribution of hormones in the body, almost any behavior can result. Depending on whether a person's nature is sattvic, rajasic, or tamasic, the hormonal balance differs, and substances such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, and acetylcholine play an enormous role in controlling — or carrying out — physical and mental actions.

It is well known that these hormones can be balanced and regulated through yoga practice. Yoga practices bring discipline to physical and mental activity. When there is stability and control over the mind and its physical expressions, a person is less likely to commit a crime than someone who has no control over their body, mind, and emotions. "Crime is a shortcut to satisfying a desire, a shortcut that goes beyond normal and legal means. Crime and various patterns of antisocial behavior express tensions arising from a deeply dissatisfied mind, from a weak mind and unbalanced emotions. A weak mind is one that lacks balance and a sense of proportion. No approach to the problem of crime can truly be effective unless the underlying weakness of the mind is healed."*1

Recording the benefits:

It is important for the teacher to keep some form of documentation or record — for instance, a questionnaire that prisoners can fill out at the beginning of a course or term, and again at its end, or at regular intervals throughout the classes. This is valuable not only for the student, but also for the prison authorities and for future research into prisoners. Below are a few examples (from BSY and affiliated Satyananda Yoga teachers) of the benefits that prisoners have gained from yoga practice.

Australia:

Prisoners, like students on the outside, come to yoga class for a variety of reasons. In 1996, I had the opportunity to teach a class of eight volunteers once a week for eight months at a women's prison in Perth, Western Australia. Some had heard that yoga improves physical health and fitness, and generally wanted to look and feel better. Some suffered from a particular ailment or condition — back pain, frozen shoulders, constipation, headaches, high blood pressure, and so on. Others came because they wanted to learn to relax and meditate. Some had already been practicing yoga and wanted to continue while serving their sentence. Some came to yoga to help them overcome drug addiction. Some came out of curiosity.

All of them reported an improvement in their physical health, flexibility, and levels of relaxation and concentration. They said the yoga classes gave them a sense of being cared for, time for themselves, and a deep feeling of satisfaction and contentment. Whenever possible, they used diaphragmatic breathing, especially in stressful moments — during a court hearing, a meeting with the warden, or a police interview. Other teachers likewise reported positive feedback from students, especially those who had attended classes for some time and practiced yoga on their own.

Another yoga teacher in an Australian prison ran stress-management courses using yoga practices for about two years. These were 12-week courses with a single half-hour class per week. Prisoners were only allowed to attend one course, with no repeats or continuation. Self-assessment questionnaires were used at the beginning and end of the course. Reported physical improvements included reduced insomnia, fewer headaches, and better circulation. Mental and emotional improvements included fewer negative reactions, less anger, depression, and loneliness, along with increased self-esteem, confidence, and self-image.

India

In an Indian prison, one yoga teacher ran two sessions a day for four weeks. He also asked for written feedback at the end of the month-long program. All the prisoners reported increased confidence and a greater willingness to return to life in society and to deal with the shame associated with imprisonment. Some were innocent and had previously said they would rather die in prison than return and face accusations and slander. Gang members were helped by the practices of yoga nidra, ajapa japa, and antar mouna, which helped calm their minds, and they said they could now tell right from wrong. The probation officer and guards also noted that the students were less aggressive, quieter, and more positive.

In another prison, one angry inmate said that once he was released he would kill the person who had put him behind bars. The teacher said, "Do your yoga first, then kill him!" He gave the prisoner 25 rounds of bhramari to practice morning and evening. By the end of the month-long program, the furious inmate was also due to be released, but instead of killing the man responsible for his imprisonment, he said he wanted to stay in prison for another six months and keep practicing yoga. So he went to the superintendent, who agreed, on the condition that he teach yoga to the other prisoners. He later wrote to the yoga teacher that yoga had brought him great happiness and satisfaction, since he was now able to help others too.

Bihar School of Yoga study: *2, *3

The Bihar School of Yoga, under the guidance of Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati, launched a pilot study in October 1994 with a small group of prisoners held in Munger District Jail. The aim was to harmonize body and mind so they could cope effectively with stressful situations. Participation in the daily classes was voluntary. After the 15-day program, the trainees reported a general sense of freshness and relief from chronic bowel problems and insomnia, reduced hostility, anxiety, and frequency of negative emotions, and a more positive attitude toward life, fellow prisoners, and the authorities.

With the cooperation of the prison authorities, the program was extended to two further district jails and the central jail in Bhagalpur. The results of the pilot study were confirmed in these prisons as well.

Following the success of these programs, the Bihar government asked the Bihar School of Yoga to extend them to other prisons in the state. In 1995, the 15-day program was run in 24 correctional facilities, with 1,013 prisoners voluntarily taking part in the classes. Before and after the yoga training programs, questionnaires were distributed covering physical, mental, and emotional health, addictions, interpersonal interactions, and plans for the future.

The results showed improved physical fitness, energy levels, strength, and flexibility, a greater sense of lightness in the body, and better digestion and sleep; a reduced sense of anger, vengefulness, anxiety, depression, and interpersonal conflict; an increased sense of positivity, happiness, peace, and altruism; and a reduced urge to reach for tobacco and cigarettes. As a result, even the cost of prison medical care was reduced.

The prisoner-trainees were asked what they planned to do after their release. More than 63% wanted to settle into normal family life and work; 16% wanted to work toward social betterment and lead a spiritual life; and 2.08% wanted revenge on their enemies and to settle scores with them.

The Home Affairs Department of the Bihar government decided to extend the training to all prisons in Bihar (82 in total). A large number of trained yoga teachers were needed, so it was decided to train life-sentence prisoners as yoga teachers and send them to various prisons throughout the state.

A one-month teacher training course (2 x 15 days) began in June and July 1996 in all 8 central jails in Bihar. 172 prisoners who volunteered were selected for the Yoga Teacher Training Course (preference was given to those who had already undergone yoga training). Questionnaires were administered at the start of the first phase and at the end of the second phase of the YTT program. The yoga teacher exam was conducted according to the Bihar School of Yoga standard, and the 167 prisoners who passed received a Yoga Instructor Certificate.

Results of the BSY surveys:

85% said they felt physically fitter, mentally happier, and more alert. 95% slept better and 98% had improved digestion. 70% showed a significant reduction, and 20% a slight reduction, in negative emotions (anger, vengefulness, anxiety, and depression). 85% reported an increase in altruistic and prosocial behavior. 83% reported fewer interpersonal conflicts. 98% chose to continue their yoga practice, and 95% expressed a wish to teach yoga to fellow prisoners.

Reports were also obtained from each prison on the observable changes in social interaction and in the physical and mental health of the prisoners practicing yoga. These, too, confirmed that yoga training brought about positive improvements in the participants' physical and mental health and behavior.

Unfortunately, this wonderful program was halted, and the trained prisoners were never put to use, due to a change of government in Bihar and a decline in interest in welfare programs.

The Tihar prison project: *4

Other projects and applications have taken place around the world, and some continue to this day. Tihar Jail in New Delhi (thanks to the initiative of Kiran Bedi, the former Inspector General of Prisons) introduced 10-day Vipassana meditation courses in November 1993. In April 1994, the largest Vipassana course in history was held at the prison, with 1,000 prisoner-students taking part.

The prison documented the effects felt by the prisoners after the courses. 96% said they were now able to control their anger, and 4% said the frequency of their anger had decreased, though its intensity remained the same. 90% achieved peace of mind and were no longer stressed by trivial matters or things beyond their control. 96% learned to focus their minds on objects of their own choosing. 100% developed kind and compassionate feelings toward other prisoners and staff members. 48% quit smoking, and 24% radically cut back. 98% felt in good physical condition after the course. 66% stopped worrying about an unpleasant past and became more focused on the present. 70% began planning for a better future after their release. 86% started helping and cooperating with fellow inmates, whereas before they had been focused only on themselves. 100% said such programs should be held on a regular basis.

All said they had improved in every area of daily life. 96% became more disciplined. 72% said that once released they would repeat this meditation course with their families. 100% said they had told their families about the meditation course and its beneficial effects. 52% expressed a wish to work as "Dharma workers" whenever the opportunity arose. 88% continued to meditate morning and evening, 6% once a day, and 6% irregularly.

Kiran Bedi also introduced many other changes and initiatives to give prisoners a better life. She was deeply concerned with a holistic approach to personal development and the reform of prisoners. The Vipassana meditation program continues to this day.

Croatia:

At Vultoorapular prison in Croatia, Professor Zjlko Brgles uses the practice of yoga nidra with prisoners to bring about a change in their behavior and enable them to return to society as individuals rehabilitated physically, mentally, and morally. His preliminary (unpublished) data show that changes are occurring in the behavior and attitudes of the convicts — a reduction in aggression, anxiety, and impulsiveness — along with an overall improvement in the social climate, in the bonds between inmates, and in communication among them. Prisoners also reported feeling calmer, sleeping better, suffering less often from insomnia, experiencing relief from tension headaches, and having a more positive attitude toward life in prison.

Conclusion:

If there is scientific or statistical data and evidence to support the claim that yoga practices can change the mental attitude and behavior of prisoners and make them, upon release, useful and civilized members of society, this would go a long way toward lending credibility to yoga and making it more widely accepted within the penal system.

Swami Niranjan said:

"In the personality of the offender — in his feelings, thoughts, and actions — we can perceive irregularities. These inner irregularities completely affect his life and drive him to commit crimes. Criminality is a trait, or a tendency. A tendency means a wave arising in the mind. If this tendency is stilled, the personality attains peace; then mental and emotional stress, agitated thoughts, and so on will also settle down, and suffering and sorrow will cease. To reform the personality and change criminal tendencies, the best solution is the practice of yoga."*5

Bibliography

*1. Mahesh Yogi, Maharishi, Yoga for Correction and Criminal Justice, Madhur Pub., Lucknow, 1983, pp. 15, 29.

*2. Saraswati, Swami Niranjanananda, The Effects of Yoga Practices on Prisoners: A Report from 24 Prisons in Bihar (unpublished paper), Bihar Yoga Bharati, Munger, Bihar, 1996.

*3. Bhushan, Dr. L.I., Yoga: "An Instrument of Psychological Transformation," Yoga, September 1998, Sivananda Math, Munger.

*4. Bedi, Kiran, "The Results of Meditation," Mystic India, July 1994.

*5. Saraswati, Swami Niranjanananda, Yoga Sagar, Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Bihar, 1994, pp. 25, 82.