Preparing to Leave Prison: A Mindfulness-based Intervention to Reduce Recidivism

"This paper considers the ever growing rate of recidivism among those who leave prison poses a concern for the US society. Research has found that correctional facilities lack effective interventions and resources to adequately care for inmates' physical, mental, and psychological well-being. Most prisoners are not prepared for a successful re-entry into society because they have not been provided with proper treatment and preventive measures that assist them to cope with prison time, to address mental illness, and to manage with only a few resources once released. A brief review of the theory and empirical research investigating the effectiveness of transpersonal psychology, mindfulness practices, and group counseling suggests that the integration of these approaches may benefit prisoners. This paper proposes a rehabilitation program that integrates mindfulness-based methods and transpersonal group counseling with the aim of enhancing prisoners' sense of well-being and to better prepare them for a reentry into society."--Abstract, p. 1