Program Director: Swami Padmapadananda
Background: Who are we and what do we do?
The Project comprises of the following aspects:
History
Imagine being a prisoner. Concrete walls and bars surround you in a lifeless, dimly lit cell. To escape the emptiness of the present moment, you live in your memories, and search for anything to keep a small flame of hope alive inside of you. This is the life that hundreds of thousands of prisoners experience across the USA. In 1996, Prison Life magazine published an article written by an inmate describing the inspiration and joy the "Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga" (CIBY) by Swami Vishnudevananda brought him. A book review on the CIBY also mentioned that the book was available to all prisoners at no cost. Within weeks a deluge of letters from inmates arrived at the Sivananda Yoga Ranch, upstate New York, requesting copies of book. This undeniable need of the prisoners ignited the establishment of the Prison Outreach Project Program.
Letter correspondence with the prisoners began immediately, as did a fundraising program to meet the growing requests for books, mainly the CIBY. Heartfelt letters of gratitude from prisoners proved the initial success of the Project. Close relationships with the inmates grew. Although the correspondence was time consuming (prisoners have no access to e-mail), the powerful effect it had on the inmates made the effort well worth it. It became a conduit for sharing intimate personal issues and it seems we became well-respected absentee teachers. The experience gave the prisoners a sense of “belonging” and enabled them to express their feelings and aspirations. It gave them a safe place to ask questions and have their doubts cleared.
Yoga classes began in 1998 at two local New York prisons, one maximum- and the other minimum-security. The profound impact of the program spread not just to the prisoners, but also to the prison staff, and especially to the superintendent, the head of the prison, who accepted the program very favorably due to its obvious positive effect it had on the inmates.
Book Distribution
Our biggest activity continues to be the distribution of the CIBY and other books to prisoners across the country. To date the Prison Project has mailed more than 3600 books. These books plant seeds of hope and peace in the minds of people who otherwise might not know that a better way exists.
Fundraising
Our biggest challenge has always been raising enough funds to meet prisoners’ book requests. The genuine sympathy of well-wishers has been a tremendous asset in our on-going fundraising efforts, however the volume of requests has always exceeded available funds. The backlog created means that inmates have a long wait to receive their books. (Please see box below for donation information.)
Inspiring Correspondence
Although most prisoner correspondence relates to book requests, some letters also come from inmates who are serious spiritual practitioners. The sophistication of their spiritual practices and inquiries continues to inspire us as we see truly dedicated yogis whose enduring spirits triumph over adversity. The satisfaction and appreciation communicated in these inmates’ letters provide evidence of how much progress the Prison Project is making.
Insights
During the past 11 years, we have gained valuable insight into the prison system, which unfortunately does not live up to the true meaning of “correctional facility.” In general, the system revolves narrowly around punishment, not on providing tools to help inmates transform their lives. We believe in teaching prisoners a new way of thinking that empowers them to lead cleaner, more peaceful lives through Yoga in its many forms.
Although USA prison libraries contain many religious books, there are very few on Yoga, Eastern philosophies, and Eastern thought.
Donations 100% of all donations go to Prison Project activities such as purchasing books and other Yoga items, correspondence expenses, occasional visits to prisoners, and costs involved in teaching in prisons. There are no salaries to be paid or any administration costs. All donations are tax-deductible. |
|---|