Working in prison can confront corrections officers with frustration, anxiety, fatigue, pressure, and stress. This is a demanding position, working long shifts, that leave little time for private life, including family. Naturally, the mental and physical state of the corrections officers directly influences inmates. In order to improve interaction with prisoners, help them rehabilitate and at the same time assist the officers themselves – the idea to offer correction officers meditation practice came up.

During 2010-2011 we conducted five meditation courses in the Corrections Officers’ School, as part of the curriculum. We hope to return to this activity.

Testimonials of correction officers who participated in the meditation group:
“There’s great job satisfaction when a released inmate says he’ll always remember you, and that he trusted you.”
“Work becomes rewarding when the relationships are based on trust and respect, when the masks fall, and you don’t “insist” on rigidity and inflexibility.”
“In order to do this work, you have to believe that every person has something good.”
“One of my superior officers told me that I’m the only one who makes the inmates relax, and that I am praised for it by commanders.”