Meditation in Corrections

The curriculum follows the traditional 10‑day Vipassana meditation course as taught by S.N. Goenka. It unfolds in three main stages with a concluding practice:

1. Sīla (Ethical Conduct): Participants observe a strict moral code—abstaining from lying, stealing, sexual activity, intoxicants, and violence—to stabilize the environment and support mental calm.
2. Ānāpāna (Breath Awareness): Days 1–3 develop concentration by observing the natural breath, sharpening attention and preparing the mind for deeper insight.
3. Vipassanā (Insight Meditation): From Day 4 onward, participants systematically observe bodily sensations with equanimity, weakening reactive patterns and building self‑regulation.
4. Mettā (Loving‑Kindness): On the final day, students cultivate compassion and goodwill to consolidate and extend the benefits of the training.

The technique is non‑sectarian and experiential, taught via daily video and audio instructions from S.N. Goenka, supported by trained assistant teachers and silent volunteers.

The program serves incarcerated individuals in state prison facilities with sufficient remaining time at one location to complete a 10‑day residential course and benefit from follow‑up support where available. It is open across custody levels where safe, and best suited to people motivated to rehabilitate, improve emotional self‑regulation, and pursue personal growth.

Vipassana is a method of disciplined self‑observation aimed at changing behavior by increasing awareness and interrupting automatic reactions. By observing bodily sensations without reacting, participants strengthen the pause between stimulus and response—reducing impulsivity and emotional reactivity.

Evidence‑informed underpinnings include: mindfulness‑based self‑regulation (akin to CBT mechanisms), relapse‑prevention models, and rehabilitative justice frameworks. Reported benefits include reduced reactivity (amygdala), greater top‑down regulation (prefrontal cortex), and neuroplastic changes supporting healthier habits over time.

Courses are staffed by trained volunteers familiar with correctional settings and the discipline, confidentiality, and professionalism required. All volunteers have completed at least one 10‑day course; many have served at centers and in prisons. Screening includes background checks, history reviews, and interviews; additional facility‑specific orientation is provided as needed.

Students must be willing and able to understand and follow instructions, and comply with course discipline. Also, Vipassana, as it is taught in this tradition, may involve intense emotional and physical experiences. It has been our experience with thousands of students, that certain mental health problems may recur or become exacerbated during, or even after, a course. This is a rare occurrence, but a collaborative screening process between Vipassana staff and facility personnel will assure that these risks are kept to a minimum.

Residents who wish to apply to a course for the first time must attend at least three orientations.

The first orientation presents an overview of the program and tells inmates how to apply.

The second orientation explains the program in greater detail, including the course schedule and code of conduct.

The final orientation introduces new students to course terminology and gives them an opportunity to practice sitting on a floor cushion and to work briefly with Anapana meditation (observation of breath).

All orientations include opportunities for interested inmates (and staff) to ask questions and have an open discussion of any concerns or questions they may have.

The Precepts (Rules)

Everyone who attends a Vipassana meditation course must agree during the course to refrain from:

• Killing
• Stealing
• Sexual activity
• Speaking lies
• Intoxicants, including smoking

Acceptance of the Teacher and the Technique

Students must agree to follow the rules of the course and the instructions of the teacher.

Other Techniques, Rites, and Forms of Worship

During the course, students may not use other forms of prayer, worship, or religious ceremony.

Interviews with the Teacher

• Questions regarding the meditation should be brought only to the teacher
• Students should not talk among themselves
• The time between 12 noon and 1 p.m. is set aside for private student–teacher interviews

Noble Silence

• No communication with other students by speaking, body language, sign language, or written notes
• Students should discuss any questions or problems with the manager or teacher

Physical Contact

There is no physical contact during the course.

Exercise

Students may exercise during rest periods by walking in the areas provided.

Intoxicants and Drugs

• No drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants are allowed
• Students taking any medication should discuss this with the teacher before the course

Tobacco

No cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or snuff are allowed during the course.

Food

• Simple vegetarian food will be served during the course
• There will be an evening snack of tea and fruit

Outside Contacts

• Students must stay within the course boundaries during the entire course
• They may leave only with permission of the teacher and security
• There will be no letters, phone calls, or visitors during the course
• If an emergency occurs, a friend or relative may contact the management

Reading and Writing

No reading or writing materials may be brought to the course.

Courses are ten full days, but extend from Day 0 to Day 11, beginning the evening before the first full day and ending the morning after the last full day.

VPT personnel (a course Teacher and two Managers) generally arrive at the facility two days before the course begins in order to:

• Meet with the Facility Liaison
• Conduct individual interviews with course applicants
• Set up the course site
• Meet with residents who will be the Inside Servers for the course
• Conduct a final orientation of qualified applicants

A self-contained area with sight and sound separation from the rest of the facility. Students must remain inside the course perimeter for the duration of the course. Ideally, volunteer personnel are also housed inside the course perimeter.

The course site must include the following:

• For the Meditation Hall: a discrete area large enough to seat all students and volunteer personnel (teacher and course managers), with the course teacher and managers in front and sufficient space for audio-visual equipment
• A discrete dining area
• A discrete sleeping area for students
• A discrete sleeping area for the teacher and course managers
• Showers and toilets sufficient for the number of students
• At least one separate bathroom for volunteer personnel
• One or two rooms for private teacher–student interviews
• Access to a segregated exercise area, if possible
• Space for storage of course audio-visual equipment and supplies (floor cushions, chairs, etc.)

The Facility Liason is the link between Vipassana services and facility systems. Courses require a designated facility staff member who will reliably carry out the following essential functions. Ideally, the Facility Liason will have completed a 10-Day Vipassana course at a Vipassana Center of their choice (comprehensive information and applications are easy to access through: www.dhamma.org).

The Facility Liason will:

• Coordinate needed communications between Vipassana and facility personnel (e.g. Warden, Corrections Officers, Health Services, Food Services, etc.)
• Make information and course applications available to inmates
• Conduct preliminary screening of applicants based on facility and Vipassana staff criteria
• Coordinate site preparation
• Coordinate with prison health services as needed (e.g. for KOP medications, etc.)
• Coordinate with facility food services (e.g. vegetarian menus, additional course food deliveries, etc.)
• Coordinate with security personnel as needed for Vipassana personnel background checks, PREA training, approval of incoming items, etc.
• Facilitate individual inmate interviews with Vipassana teachers (usually conducted one or two days prior to a course)
• Provide Vipassana representatives with feedback regarding student outcomes and Meditation in Corrections effectiveness

The Vipassana staff appreciates the difficult job that Corrections Officers do, and the additional complexity we may impose on the routines of the facility. Vipassana personnel comply fully with all facility rules and directives from Correctional Officers. In addition to strict adherence to facility rules for volunteers, VPT personnel operate under a strict code of conduct that, among other things, prohibits any direct or indirect contact with inmates except as authorized and necessary to provide program services. Vipassana personnel are expected to demonstrate respect for facility security

requirements and to work collaboratively and respectfully with facility personnel at all times.

Security

• Ideally, final resident pat-downs are done on Day 0 right before students enter the course site
• Vipassana personnel make an effort to introduce themselves to on-duty officers at every shift change
• Vipassana personnel communicate with the on-duty CO whenever a student is required to leave the course

Kitchen / Meals

• Vipassana will provide a recommended vegetarian menu and will provide additional foods that may not be generally available to inmates, subject to facility policies and procedures for bringing in such items
• Movement of food and kitchen supplies in and out of the course site

Laundry

• If applicable, movement of laundry in and out of the course site

Health Services

• KOP policy for inmates and VPT volunteers

Day Zero Timetable

• 6:00 – 9:00 pm: Enter Course Area, Dinner, First Instructions

Daily Timetable (Days 1–10)

• 4:00 am — Morning wake-up bell
• 4:30 – 6:30 am — Meditate in the meditation hall
• 6:30 – 8:00 am — Breakfast break
• 8:00 – 9:00 am — Group meditation in the hall
• 9:00 – 11:00 am — Meditate in the hall according to the teacher’s instructions
• 11:00 – 12:00 pm — Lunch break
• 12:00 – 1:00 pm — Rest, and interviews with the teacher
• 1:00 – 2:30 pm — Meditate in the hall
• 2:30 – 3:30 pm — Group meditation in the hall
• 3:30 – 5:00 pm — Meditate in the hall according to the teacher’s instructions
• 5:00 – 6:00 pm — Tea break
• 6:00 – 7:00 pm — Group meditation in the hall
• 7:00 – 8:15 pm — Teacher’s discourse in the hall
• 8:15 – 9:00 pm — Group meditation in the hall
• 9:00 – 9:30 pm — Question time in the hall
• 9:30 pm — Retire to your room, lights out

Day Eleven Timetable

• 4:30 – 6:30 am — Final Discourse and Metta Session
• Course ends