History and
Goals:
Conception:
In
2004 the mental health staff of Fluvanna County Correctional Facility
for Women contacted Pat Coffey and Susan Stone of the Insight
Meditation Community of
Charlottesville (see www.imeditation.org for
IMCC offerings and activities) and asked them to teach meditation at
their maximum security prison facility. Classes began in
November
2004. To date over 100 inmates have participated in the training.
In 2006 Blue Ridge Prison Project was incorporated
as a
non-stock Virginia corporation and has been recognized by the Internal
Revenue Service as a section 501(c)(3) charitable
organization.
Contributions to Blue Ridge Prison Project, Inc. are
deductible
to the full extent allowed by law.
Format:
We
run two classes simultaneously in different rooms every Wednesday
evening from 6:30-8:30. One group serves women
who have participated in our classes before and wish to continue
with their Mindfulness practice. The
other group serves new students.
Short
and Long
Term Goals: The Blue Ridge Prison
Project aims:
To expand
our
teaching so we can reach all who want to learn Mindfulness in a
timely fashion. Recognizing that Mindfulness skills are a
critical
component in enhancing decision-making and reducing stress, the Mental
Health Department
is anxious for us to reach all the inmates on the waiting list ASAP
given that
some are transferred or paroled. The women in these groups
need significant individual attention and there
are currently only four
teachers and
limited teaching space.
To
hold periodic daylong retreats wherein meditators are
sequestered together for a day of silent meditation/interviews and
instruction.
To
train some inmates as Mindfullness Facilitators.
Having
trained Mindfulness Facilitators in the prison population will provide
additional support to those beginning their practice.
To
bring in outside recognized Insight meditation teachers to help
inspire the
inmates and lead day long seminars. Internationally
known teachers
such as Sharon Salzberg and Tara Brach have committed to teaching at
the
facility.
To offer Mindfulness-based stress reduction programs to the
correctional officers and administrators of the prison.
|
