SERVICES OFFERED TO PRISONERS

“I find working with prisoners immensely rewarding. Yes, there can be challenges, and of course there can be frustrations. However, to become engaged in another persons journey of discovery, to see that moment of recognition that ‘there is another way’ and to bear witness to the change process always, always makes the time and effort so worthwhile.”

Doug Stephenson, Prison Teacher, Brahma Kumaris

Working with prisoners has been the cornerstone of the Brahma Kumaris service in the offender management arena. Starting in the early 1980’s, this service has continued until the present day. With time and through personal experiences, the form of that service has been adapted to accommodate the particular needs and circumstances of inmates and to reflect the available ‘resources.’

The first contact was one individual becoming a prison visitor in Wormwood Scrubs. It soon followed that the core course materials of the Brahma Kumaris were made available, both in the form of teaching materials presented in our prisons as well as through distance learning.

As more connections were made and relationships with staff developed, programmes of artistic celebration were jointly organised at the Headquarters of the Brahma Kumaris, to honour National Prisoners Week. Such programmes demonstrated, through the presentations, the presence of human dignity and how it can be developed and maintained under institutionalised conditions.

More recently, programmes for the performing arts have been arranged in a number of prisons creating a shared experience, for both staff and inmates, of harmony, appreciation, inspiration and peace.

In the two decades since that contact, prisoners from nearly thirty establishments have taken benefit from the various forms of service. These different resources are described in this section.

Whatever the method of engaging with the prisoners, it has the effect of opening up and nurturing both the mind and the heart and taking them forward into a space from which they will always take benefit.