Zen and the Art of Incarceration

The verb "to meditate" literally means to contemplate, to reflect on one's actions. So perhaps there is some sense in the latest move by U.S., New Zealand and UK prisons to introduce meditation as a means of rehabilitating criminals.

Delegates at the Royal College of Psychiatrists annual conference heard last month that meditation techniques have enjoyed "remarkable success" in prisons across India, New Zealand and the United States. Inmates were reportedly keen to learn the skill and converts were seen to be more disciplined and co-operative than their peers.

Britain's Lancaster prison also conducted trials and experts believe meditation could be a more effective, efficient and humane approach to rehabilitation.

So could it work? Think about it...

Friday, 10 August 2001