I just finished reading your article entitled "A Mindful Approach to Prison Reform". Consider my mind opened. It was a truly insightful article, and your ideas on how to better rehabilitate prisoners are very well-thought-out.
I think you have pinpointed the problem in our criminal justice system today, which is the fact that we spend far too much time worrying about getting offenders into prison, and very little time at all thinking about what happens to them when they get out. People who have, as you say, been treated like "rabid animals" will have an incredibly hard time becoming a part of society outside prison again.
I must admit that I found myself a little doubtful about how much a ten day intensive meditation retreat would really help people who have (perhaps for more than twenty years) been trapped in the current prison system, and confined like animals... But I did some more research on The Dhamma Brothers, and I was shocked that I had never heard about it before. The program really does seem to work, and most importantly, work WELL. A program with such beneficial results should, I think, be the norm in prisons all over the US. Reading through some of the letters of prisoners who had undergone the program, I was absolutely astounded at the results that it seems to have. Here's one quote from Willie Carroll that particularly struck me:
"I can now talk to the worse of attitudes and still keep my composure—I can now be human to myself and others. I’m not cured of my lack of knowledge but this experience has allowed me room to grow and to respect my growth."
Thanks for the insightful article, and keep writing -- if anything can get these ideas spread, it's through Between the Bars.
They posted some of the hearings on youtube and it was really impressive to hear people talk about change. Also, the legislators were really supportive. I was surprised at how strongly they worded their comments.
Prison officials left the meeting before the families spoke. That was disappointing to see.
Keep in mind that you guys are right and you will not just be helping yourselves, but many others in other states (and all the men and women who come after you).
I know it will still take time...but I really believe that change WILL come.
I'm so sorry about your mom. You should be allowed phone calls.....I'm sure your love helps - perhaps more than you realize.
I'll write a bit more next week. I just wanted to get this down because they are sending it tomorrow,
Great to hear that you have received the transcription. I am pretty busy at the moment, hence I haven't seen your message until now. I hope you are well.
Sorry for the tardiness of this message, I haven't been on the site for a couple of months as there has been a lot going on. Keep writing and I hope that I will be able to use the site more after my exams.
RSS
I just finished reading your article entitled "A Mindful Approach to Prison Reform". Consider my mind opened. It was a truly insightful article, and your ideas on how to better rehabilitate prisoners are very well-thought-out.
I think you have pinpointed the problem in our criminal justice system today, which is the fact that we spend far too much time worrying about getting offenders into prison, and very little time at all thinking about what happens to them when they get out. People who have, as you say, been treated like "rabid animals" will have an incredibly hard time becoming a part of society outside prison again.
I must admit that I found myself a little doubtful about how much a ten day intensive meditation retreat would really help people who have (perhaps for more than twenty years) been trapped in the current prison system, and confined like animals...
But I did some more research on The Dhamma Brothers, and I was shocked that I had never heard about it before. The program really does seem to work, and most importantly, work WELL. A program with such beneficial results should, I think, be the norm in prisons all over the US. Reading through some of the letters of prisoners who had undergone the program, I was absolutely astounded at the results that it seems to have. Here's one quote from Willie Carroll that particularly struck me:
"I can now talk to the worse of attitudes and still keep my composure—I can now be human to myself and others. I’m not cured of my lack of knowledge but this experience has allowed me room to grow and to respect my growth."
Thanks for the insightful article, and keep writing -- if anything can get these ideas spread, it's through Between the Bars.
Best wishes,
--C.B.B. (candleships)
Prison officials left the meeting before the families spoke. That was disappointing to see.
Keep in mind that you guys are right and you will not just be helping yourselves, but many others in other states (and all the men and women who come after you).
I know it will still take time...but I really believe that change WILL come.
I'm so sorry about your mom. You should be allowed phone calls.....I'm sure your love helps - perhaps more than you realize.
I'll write a bit more next week. I just wanted to get this down because they are sending it tomorrow,
Take care
JT
Great to hear that you have received the transcription. I am pretty busy at the moment, hence I haven't seen your message until now. I hope you are well.
CJP
Sorry again for the late reply. I am from the UK but currently studying in France for a period.
Best wishes,
CJP
Best wishes,
CJP