This documentation raises a lot of questions about what sort of 'correction' is most likely to make a difference to convicted criminals. What is shows is that dealing with yourself is the biggest challenge - as one inmate put in - 10 days of silent meditation was harder than 8 years on death row. What the inmates learn is what is deep within them - the pain, the anger, the negativity, and how they have been dealing with it through continuing to be violent and disruptive in prison. They learn new ways of dealing with themselves and they form a bond over their vipassanna experience.
The effective of the meditation programme is clearly one of transformation in the sense that the inmates are calmer, have more resources to deal with their emotions and difficult situations. As one of the correction officers points out, this is good not just for them but also for society since some of these inmates will be released one day.
I recommend taking the time to watch this documentary if you are curious about this. It is thought provoking. It also makes me wonder, though, how we can not only help individuals to 'reform' once they have entered prisons, but more importantly, help those who are vulnerable to committing crime before they end up hurting others.
This documentary is part of an Oprah Winfrey show where she first interviews Thich Naht Hahn. This is also very good! If you don't want to watch the whole thing, skip to 43 mins and 10 seconds and that is where 'The Dhamma Brothers' documentary starts.
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