International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology
June 28, 2025
Francesca Danioni, Francesca Giorgia Paleari, Daniel Lumera et al.
Mindfulness training can sometimes reduce wellbeing and relational competence among prison inmates, particularly those who view their crime as less severe. In a longitudinal study of 49 inmates in two Italian prisons, mindfulness predicted a decline in both wellbeing and relational competence over time, but only for inmates who perceived their crime as less serious. The length of punishment did not significantly affect this relationship. The findings suggest that under certain conditions, mindfulness may have unintended negative effects, highlighting the need to refine mindfulness interventions for incarcerated populations.
International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology
June 2, 2026
Herina Koko Ayot
Incarcerated men, especially those with trauma histories, face high recidivism rates, yet most rehabilitation programs focus on cognition. This systematic review of 24 studies examines experiential psychotherapies—mindfulness, ACT, yoga, meditation, and creative arts—in forensic settings for adult males. Thematic synthesis reveals three outcome domains: improved psychological well-being (reduced stress, anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms); better behavioral and cognitive regulation (enhanced impulse control, prosocial identity shifts); and reduced recidivism, notably with Transcendental Meditation and structured mindfulness. Evidence for Compassion Focused Therapy and most creative arts therapies was limited or absent. Findings suggest these therapies may support emotional regulation, identity change, and desistance, but study heterogeneity limits generalizability and underscores the need for rigorous longitudinal research.