Bringing Meditation to Jail
“It’s a gateway out of all the negative.”
Working with the Making Justice Program and a passionate social worker Allison, I’ve brought meditation to guys in Dane County Jail. They’ve shared it’s difficult to find peace being around people 24/7. It’s not a traditional cell situation you see on TV, they’re inside spaces called “pods” with bunks, a common area and a large group all in one room. After a successful pilot program in fall/winter of 2022, we’re now meeting bi-weekly / sometimes weekly (we’re looking for funding for the extra weeks, but currently I’m donating my time those extra days.) Through these sessions I’m able to share a power within us all, the root of all humanity and the guidance to see the choices we make reflect who we are in this moment, and that can change at any time. Ancient knowledge, current practices, all of this is awakening the ability to see ourselves as who we really are, which is why it’s important to share this path with anyone open to living their truth.
We created a mural for the Parenting Inside Out classroom, a program that provides parenting skills. During it’s creation, we held meditation sessions and some were more at ease in a difficult place physically and in their lives. After years of meditating, gaining certifications and forming my own practice, we’re exploring different techniques that can benefit them not only in jail, but also provide ways to find peace within once they’re released. I’m witnessing them open up quickly and connecting to themselves in a new way. We’re reading books they’re finding helpful, with breathing techniques and guidance that provides support and learning outside of our group, and they’re even exploring and sharing new books of their own. If even one person finds a tool to aide in transformation, my time is well spent with a stronger community being built.
“A lot of times People just think meditation is breathing in and out, and sometimes it’s more to that. People go through different things so it works a lot of different things for different people. When we come here it really keeps you on our toes and keeps you in tune, and even when we leave here, like certain situations happen and thing’ll come up and you know how to react to it, pull yourself together.”