Take Yoga, Get Early Jail Release

By Jeralyn, Section Inmates and Prisons
Posted on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 02:07:10 PM EST
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Unfortunately, this is happening in India, not the United States:

Prisoners in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh are being freed early if they complete yoga courses. For every three months spent practising posture, balance and breathing the inmates can cut their jail time by 15 days.

The authorities say the lessons help to improve the prisoners' self-control and reduce aggression. Some 4,000 inmates across the state are benefiting from the scheme, and many go on to become yoga instructors.

There's an added benefit: Many inmates get a job teaching yoga after their release. Another example of how to be smart about crime instead of just tough on crime. California, are you listening? You've already got a few programs in place.

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Take Yoga, Get Early Jail Release | 46 comments (46 topical)

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That's very cool... (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by kdog on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 02:35:34 PM EST

Kudos to India...now thats what I call an attempt at "correction", instead of just punishment and human warehousing.

My special lady swears by this yoga stuff to feed mind, body, and soul...she recently became certified to teach. I'm still partial to football, rock-n-roll, and reefer to feed mind/body/soul:)

Everybody got their own way to make peace with themselves and the world, hopefully this works for the prisoners and gets 'em on the path to redemption.

I've been (none / 0) (#6)
by Zorba on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 03:25:59 PM EST

doing yoga for years- it's great. I would also include T'ai Chi, which I have also done. They both relax my mind and body, increase my flexibility, and lower my blood pressure.


Some of those yoga poses... (none / 0) (#11)
by kdog on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 03:53:13 PM EST

look downright torturous, for someone who plays a fair amount of sports I'm hopelessly unflexible. So for those who think prisons are about punishment, that might make 'em feel better about this program:)

I get a kick out of watching this large group of Asian-Americans, and a few roundeye mixed in, doing their T'ai Chi thing at the park early Sunday mornings...they definitely seem tuned in to something.


Flexible muscles you don't notice so much ... (5.00 / 1) (#18)
by Ellie on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 05:39:19 PM EST

... in youth is where the appreciable benefits occur in later years.

I know that, regardless of bio-age, we're all adult enough at TL to candidly discuss ... peepee and caca. (Sorry to use harcore medical terms here.)

There will come a time for all of us to rely on efficient muscle control to hold it in or, um, let it go. The entire GI process, from swallowing to excretion uses muscle, as does the reproductive system.

Even doing rudimentary forms in one's chair, at any age, benefits the whole human.


: I really envy the teenagers (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by observed on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 05:50:02 PM EST

How do they drape their entire bodies over furniture like wet noodles?

: You're right, Ellie (none / 0) (#25)
by Zorba on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 06:31:17 PM EST

And don't apologize. Besides flexibility and balance, yoga (and T'ai Chi) are also about core muscles (and this includes your pelvic floor). This not only helps with (cough,cough) elimination, core muscles also are important in preventing back, hip, and knee problems. If your core muscles are shot, you will not walk or stand correctly, and you will be at greater risk for back and joint problems.

Kdog, sweetie, I'm getting too old (none / 0) (#12)
by Zorba on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 04:04:01 PM EST

to do some of the yoga poses that I could do when I was younger, but it's really, really great for flexibility. Too many young people do sports, work out, and exercise, but they have no flexibility whatsoever. You'll thank yourself in later life if you do yoga, trust me on this. It's also great for balance, which can also become a problem as you age.


Best thing for balance and (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by observed on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 05:11:43 PM EST

sense of well-being is singing, from my experience. Nothing beats it.
I don't mean holding the microphone and whispering into it, either.
Old Chinese saying from my teacher(no doubt made up:)
Make a man rich and he will be happy for a day;
get him married and he will be happy for a month;
teach him to sing and he will be happy every day.
I've done some yoga, some martial arts, run and swim a lot these days.

You'll probably think I"m over the top, but I hope you'll agree that it's a real shame Americans don't get together and sing. It's one of the best things in life.


Singing, clapping along, group chant (5.00 / 1) (#24)
by Ellie on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 06:26:57 PM EST

... are intuitively beneficial in the same way as yoga and activities that call on an individual to balance discipline and abandon (eg, folk dancing, vocal trilling, keeping time).

Different paths, different roads: we've barely scratched our capabilities.

IMO, the more we empower an individual to know what's going on inside his or herself -- quite apart from the fads and trends of the the moment -- the 'healthier' the community gets.


Yes, I agree, (5.00 / 1) (#26)
by Zorba on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 06:33:53 PM EST

and don't forget breath control, too. Most people don't know how to breathe properly. It's all interconnected.


Ok, I'm on a little bit of a tangent (none / 0) (#27)
by observed on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 06:41:13 PM EST

here, but I was quite surprised to learn recently that healthier people breathe LESS than unhealthy people---asthmatics specifically, but diabetics and sick people as well.
A healthy person takes fewer breaths and less air in than an asthmatic (outside of breathing attacks).


Not so much less as fewer and better breaths (5.00 / 1) (#29)
by Ellie on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 06:57:39 PM EST

A habit a lot of us form is to hold our intake of breath during a tense (good or bad) moment. Simply learning to breathe in (fully) and breathe out (fully) naturally radiates throughout the body.

For instance, breathing well (whether standing or sitting) opens up the chest cavity and squares the shoulders. Doing this regularly reduces a person's vulnerability to contract too many psychological and physical ailments to list.

It's an area that's as simple to learn as to forget, so even the most experienced teachers continually return to First Breath.


The great thing about singing (5.00 / 2) (#31)
by observed on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 07:06:59 PM EST

is that you have natural relaxation responses tied to vocalization--e.g. sighing, also groaning (not so easy---takes a lot of release).
My teacher used this a lot in his training.


: Saw a program about brain injuries fairly recently (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by Ellie on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 07:27:15 PM EST

... that referenced studies showing distinct development -- and recuperative abilities -- in the brains of musically-oriented people (singers, musicians, dancers, 'mixologists' or producers). It had something to do with an individual's ability to "be oneself" yet engage with external stimuli.
The consulting scientists and health professionals thought this would shed light on mystifying conditions like autism and Alzheimer's.
I wish I could remember more specifics; maybe a Mambo or two will help my recall. Anyone wanna come with?

Absolutely (none / 0) (#34)
by Zorba on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 07:11:45 PM EST

And another of the great things I learned from yoga, Ellie (which I'm sure is no surprise to you) is how to stand properly, and how to place my head, neck, and shoulders correctly while standing (and walking- it carries over). Too many people slouch and don't even realize that they're doing this- bad for your back, bad for your breathing, bad for you.


An asthmatic (none / 0) (#28)
by Zorba on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 06:44:42 PM EST

and other sick people may breathe "more," but they're struggling to take in oxygen- it's not "productive" breathing, if you will.


They take in too much oxygen, (none / 0) (#32)
by observed on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 07:09:27 PM EST

habitually. That is the surprise.
I read this in a Jane Brody column several weeks ago.


: Then they're (none / 0) (#35)
by Zorba on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 07:12:34 PM EST

breathing way too fast. Sort of like hyperventilating.

I've always thought (none / 0) (#40)
by Natal on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 12:24:19 AM EST

that breathing was natural. The body automatically makes adjustments as needed. At least mine does.


With so many I respect and admire doin' it.. (none / 0) (#41)
by kdog on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 09:02:46 AM EST

I think I'll get an introductory lesson from the special lady when I see her come March...just hope it doesn't kill me, I can't even touch my toes right now:)


It may be a good idea (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by nyjets on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 02:55:33 PM EST

This may be a good idea for criminals who commit minor crimes. Drugs, petty thefts, that sort of crime.
But I do not see this working for violent criminals and murders.

3 mos for 15 days seems a good innoculant (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by Ellie on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 03:20:21 PM EST

Old-school yoga (and martial arts) encourage self-examination and physical well being and naturally lead towards helping others.

Hard-core violent criminals likely have long enough sentences that allow in-"house" therapists to monitor the program.

If it's not working on an individual, would 15 days off a sentence protect the community?


Oh, you don't see it working, do you? (5.00 / 2) (#7)
by gyrfalcon on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 03:33:24 PM EST

Do you know anything about yoga? The kind that's practiced as a serious discipline in India?

Didn't think so.

The practice of yoga, in fact, dramatically reduces violent tendencies. I can't think of anything better to get violent criminals involved in, frankly.


Hmmm -- sorry, gyrfalcon, my reply-to showed your (5.00 / 1) (#10)
by Ellie on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 03:50:13 PM EST

... post as being to me.

I must have been stuck in the Headupassa posture.


Heh (none / 0) (#17)
by gyrfalcon on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 05:37:23 PM EST

No prob. I figured. And yes, I certainly did mean the mental/spiritual discipline, not the kind that combines stair-steps, disco music and manicures at the local health club!


Wish there were some kind of Computer Yoga (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by Ellie on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 05:45:18 PM EST

... for my tech system. My browser "got improved" with updates and it completely tossed all of its cookies.

I'll do a bit of tweaking on that twitchy Send finger, too. :-p


: As you may notice (5.00 / 1) (#39)
by gyrfalcon on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 08:49:14 PM EST

I just did the same thing to somebody else in this thread. Arggh. And my browser is still carrying all its cookies. The twitchy send finger rules all when it's in a bad mood!

Yes, actually, I do know a lot about yoga (none / 0) (#8)
by Ellie on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 03:46:32 PM EST

"The kind that's practiced in India."

... and I hold two sr. belts in martial arts. (The Kind That's Practiced In Okinawa and The Kind That's Practiced In Tokyo -- as opposed to the belt-mill varieties that promise to teach lethal holds and strikes in the first year.)

I distinguish between mind/body/spirit yoga and the vanity "gym" yoga that overemphasizes going down a clothing size to 1 or zero.

You?


Well, it certainly (none / 0) (#14)
by Zorba on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 04:08:34 PM EST

makes me calmer, and so does T'ai Chi. Mind and body, they're intertwined. In fact, when I was a special ed teacher, we taught our students some yoga, especially the relaxation techniques. Not surprisingly, it helped calm them down. I can get rid of a tension headache by using yoga- I haven't had to take a pill for tension headaches for years.


I don't disagree with you, but (none / 0) (#16)
by observed on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 05:16:33 PM EST

have there actually been studies on this subject?


I'm sure there have been, but (5.00 / 1) (#19)
by gyrfalcon on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 05:40:15 PM EST

you'll have to dig them up on your own. There have been many, many studies on meditation. Even crappy, meaningless meditation has pretty major effects on both the body and the mind.

In any case, the whole point of yoga is to still the clamor of the mind and spirit, which is what leads to violence.

(Obviously, I don't practice it myself or I'd have been less aggravated by your comment...)


Lol, didn't mean to aggravate; (none / 0) (#21)
by observed on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 05:49:01 PM EST

I just like evidence-based decisions.
I know there are lots of studies on yoga and/or mindfulness and its benefits. Just for comparison: no one would deny that healthy eating has positive effects on both body and mind. But would it reduce recidivism among various kinds of offenders? I would find that a stretch; likewise, I'm skeptical about yoga, but I would love to hear that I am wrong.
Cheers.


: Sorry! Confused you with (5.00 / 0) (#38)
by gyrfalcon on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 08:47:44 PM EST

the person I was originally responding to. No, YOU didn't aggravate me at all. It was a perfectly reasonable question.
I don't think anybody here is suggesting that a few yoga sessions would always be a cure for violent offenders, but the odds are high it would make enough difference to be worth the 15 days off for the three months of serious discipline, don't you think?
And actually, providing a healthy diet to prisoners for the time they're locked up, which for many if not most of them would be the first time in their lives they ate balanced and nutritious food every day without putting vast quantities of chemical additives into their bodies, isn't a bad idea, either.
Somebody ought to actually try treating these people like damaged human beings with all these things instead of recalcitrant monsters and see what difference it makes in recidivism. My bet is it would be a huge one.

Shhhh (none / 0) (#1)
by jbindc on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 02:17:20 PM EST

Congress will hear you and then will require everyone to take yoga and call that the health care plan.

: Exercise? (none / 0) (#3)
by Wile ECoyote on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 02:47:58 PM EST

Bah, have some else pay for my health care.

Assume this must be "hot" yoga. (none / 0) (#23)
by oculus on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 06:15:57 PM EST

jobs for yoga instructors? (none / 0) (#30)
by diogenes on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 06:58:16 PM EST

If there are really so many jobs for yoga instructors in the US then why doesn't the US government put money into training laid off car workers, etc.

I will urge my yoga instruction (none / 0) (#33)
by oculus on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 07:11:00 PM EST

provider to require background check if this takes hold here.


Shame on you... (none / 0) (#42)
by kdog on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 09:05:39 AM EST

do you check the background of everybody you do business with or interact with? I thought I was paranoid...good lord.

Note to self...never give Oculus real name:)


Yoga is "hands on." (none / 0) (#43)
by oculus on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:36:53 AM EST

Oh... (none / 0) (#44)
by kdog on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 11:44:14 AM EST

ex-con cooties...what are you worried about, hepatitis?

My old man was locked up...not the most affectionate guy, but when we did hug it out, it felt so good, same as mom's "clean record" hugs.


I see a substantial difference between (none / 0) (#45)
by oculus on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 01:22:47 PM EST

physical contact with family whose background I am aware of and physical contact with someone about whom I know nothing.


Not trying to pick on you old pal... (none / 0) (#46)
by kdog on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 01:30:46 PM EST

but did you do background checks on every guy who ever got to first base with ya?

I know physical safety is a bigger deal for you ladies, but ya gotta have at least a little blind faith in humanity.


I think is my persona as a former prosecutor. (none / 0) (#47)
by oculus on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 01:34:28 PM EST

I would prefer my personal information not be readily available to persons with felony convictions. They just might figure out who helped send them to prison.


: I see... (none / 0) (#48)
by kdog on Fri Jan 22, 2010 at 01:39:48 PM EST

I got a little worried there for my buddy I've talked about who got outta his cage last year...the gig he found is personal trainer at a gym...if a customer decided to bakground check him and complain there goes that sh*tty paycheck. They might not care that is was a non-violent non-crime.

Pakistan says no U.S. military (none / 0) (#36)
by oculus on Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 07:22:28 PM EST

action in Pak for six months. "Too stressful."