Meditation in Prison

Summary

Meditation programs in prisons have gained interest, but empirical evidence of their effectiveness is still developing. This chapter reviews studies primarily from the USA, examining meditation's impact on mental health, substance misuse, and reoffending behavior. It discusses various meditation practices used in prisons, such as Transcendental Meditation and mindfulness, and considers their role in enhancing well-being and treating substance misuse disorders. Limitations of current research and future research directions are also highlighted.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract In recent years interest in the use of meditation programs in prison has grown considerably, yet empirical research evidence for their effectiveness has been slower to accumulate. This chapter explores the application of meditation programs that take place within prison walls and evaluates their effectiveness in three key areas: (i) mental health and psychological wellbeing; (ii) substance misuse; (iii) and reoffending behavior. Evidence from prison studies, most of them conducted in the USA, is reviewed with a focus on their effectiveness. The philosophical and historical context of meditation is taken into account, and key concepts and definitions are critiqued. The chapter explores the meditation practices that are most often found in prison, such as Transcendental Meditation, mindfulness, and Vipassana meditation. It examines meditation’s role as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of substance misuse disorders and more general applications that aim to enhance well-being. The limitations of current studies together with directions for future research are also discussed.