Mindfulness
In Prisons – a tool for rehabilitation that is changing, and saving lives in
Kenyan Prisons
This project was founded by
Dr Inma Adarves-Yorno
from the
University of Exeter in 2015. The mindfulness seeds planted evolved into:
-
The
Inner Rehabilitation Programme
where
inmates are training other inmates
-
The mindful movement
,
which offers training to everyone in the Kenyan Prison services.
The success of both programmes is led and overseen by Madam
Mary Khaemba, Director of Offender Correction and Rehabilitation and her
wonderful supportive Welfare Officers. With the team working together, the Mindfulness Project has grown and
is being recognised across the world and in notable media coverage, for the difference it is making to the lives of those in these prisons
Fast forward 3 years and we have an international network of supporters, dedicated to driving this project to reach all inmates in Kenyan prisons.
Do you wish to join us?
What does the project involve?
In 2015 Dr Inma and her dedicated team created a
Mindfulness Handbook – a training programme that guided inmates
through the skills of mindfulness, empowering them to face and own their
emotions and their lives, to regain hope and plan for the future – as well as
Mindfuness practices which enable them to release emotions, a struggle for many. These skills and techniques are not only for their own lives, but also to teach
others in the prisons, whether in their wards (cells at night) or within the prison schools.
They become Mindful Leaders.
This project is a true example of rehabilitation. How do we know?
In 2017, 140 inmates took part in a
quantitative study
which showed that 80%-90% of participants
-
Feeling
less stressed
(80%) and
less angry
(86%)
-
Can
forgive
themselves (90%) and others (89%)
-
More often able to
let go
of what they cannot change (84%)
-
Being a mindful leader is an important part of who they are (88%)
-
Engage
less
in
conflict
(72%) and
aggression
(84%)
-
Manage
their
emotions
better (84%)
-
Have an
improved relationship
with prison officers (86%)
-
Having more
respect for rules
and regulation (89%)
-
Reduced use of drugs
(85%) and
alcohol
(82%) *(% of the 102 and 96 who
answered that they had previously used substances)
Since the original handbook was made, the Mindful Leaders have developed these handbooks – adding to the Mindfulness techniques, creating versions
in Ki-swahili, and soon also in sign language and
other of creative media in order to teach Mindfulness
techniques to fellow inmates. Moreover, the ripple-effect
has
and
is
happening – families of the inmates are benefiting from this learning,
families who were fractured are being healed, children are being taught too.
How can you help?
We need your help to fund the resources needed in this work – to
keep this project alive.
In addition to money this project will also benefit from other resources and support. It could be something material, time, expertise, advice or knowledge, everything helps! Please do
contact us
if you would like to offer anything.
Mindfulness Handbooks
Currently resources are at a bare minimum: some of our prisons have
just 1
or a few
Mindfulness Handbooks
for the Mindful Leaders (inmates and Welfare Officers) to teach others. This makes it
very challenging to include a large number of learners and is a barrier that prevents them from dedicating
time and creativity to make the project accessible to
even more people. Short supply of handbooks was a problem in
all the prisons
I visited
during
April 2018.
There are between 50,000 and 60,000 inmates in Kenyan
Prisons at any time, our vision for this project is to reach ALL
INMATES. Currently, we estimate there is
just 1 handbook for every 10 inmates
who have begun Mindfulness training - and ideally each Mindful learner can use a handbook as a workbook with space for self-reflection and personal growth, something they can own, refer to, and use to deepen their understanding of Mindfulness.
As well as handbooks, Mindful Leaders and trainees need paper and pens
(at the
very least) to demonstrate, express and illustrate Mindfulness, make notes and reflect.
PLEASE CAN YOU HELP? A small amount of money will go a long way:
-
57p = 80 Kenyan shillings - buys a note book and pen, this could provide a Mindful Trainee the space to reflect, journal and be creative with their mindful living.
-
57p = 80 Kenyan shillings - makes a CD of the Mindfulness Songs created at Naivasha Maximum Security Prison. The CDs help to fund the project by contributing to its contination in the prisons and hopefully growing to help more inmates
The prisons already have created songs, dramas, poems, artworks. We (including you!!) can help the project to record these creations by the Mindful Leaders, share them between the prisons and spread the teachings.
Are you feeling
inspired
? We love
what is happening and the passion
behind this project, from the Mindful leaders, staff, and communities that believe in it. We would
love you to join us
– be part of this global team!
