A number of practical courses are offered to complement other services available to prisoners. Through such courses, prisoners are able to re-evaluate their approach to life and make meaningful and positive changes.

Prisoners can expect to:

• increase their awareness of the potential value of their contribution to the community in which they live,
• recognise and accept the responsibility they each have for their quality of thoughts and feelings,
• experience a higher degree of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual stability when faced with challenging situations,
• identify and develop positive qualities and strengths,
• recognize the value of meditation in creating a calm mind,
• increase self-reliance as a preparation for life outside the prison

The courses:

Anger Management
Positive Thinking
Self esteem
Personal Values Development
Practical Meditation and the
Raja Yoga Philosophy Course

Raja Yoga Meditation Classes Have a Place In Prison Regimes

“Raja Yoga Meditation classes have been held successfully at HMP Gartree for the last four years. The original request for the classes came from the inmates. At first, classes were organized as part of the day time educational programme, taking place each Friday morning for a 3.and a half hour session. After one year the class was moved to the evening programme, for a more reasonable one and a half hours.

Over the four years, according to the needs of the inmates, courses provided have included Positive Thinking, Inner Value Development, Practical Meditation and various workshop sessions covering different aspects of meditation. Guest speakers from England and overseas have contributed to the various courses.

It is obvious, in many ways that a number of men have gained a great deal from attending the courses. I list below some of the instances that come to mind.

1. An increase in self confidence and self esteem has been obvious in a number of participants.
2. A mutual trust and respect has developed between students and teachers. Students have been observed to respond more positively in their relationships with other members of the prison establishment.
3. Inmates have met and interacted with a number of individuals who have offered, by word and action, a living example of an alternative way of thinking and acting. Some inmates have sought to emulate their teachers.
4. Inmates have taken the opportunity to contribute to a public programme for National Prisoners week entitled, `A Celebration of Human Dignity in Prison', organised in London by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. Contributions ranged from poetry to a combined exhibition of woodwork, metalwork, needlework and fine art.

It is apparent that meditation has become more and more an accepted part of the life of the prison. Meditation is accepted more readily now as a subject worthy of study and prisoners are more open to "giving it a try".

I recommend that you try meditation classes in your prison - what have you got to gain? A great deal!”

John Whittington, Education Co-ordinator, HMP Gartree

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