Saturday, June 03, 2006

post-captivity metta

Problem: How to help prisoners create changes in their behavior that are sustainable upon release, promote a positive lifestyle, and decrease the likelihood of recidivism?

The Upaya Zen Prison Project teaches meditation as a means of ending the cycle of addiction, violence and incarceration for men, women and youth. Through meditation prisoners learn how to examine and eventually transform the unhealthy habits that have governed their lives up to this point. This is a place where Buddhist rubber hits the road.

The Buddhist Peace Fellowship, which I've been a member of for many years, has an excellent program on prisons. You can also get all your Socially Engaged Buddhist News on their home page.