Mindfulness in Kenyan Prisons

A project by: Emma Jones and Inma Adarves-Yorno

Successful

WE RAISED £2,335

from 27 donors

This project received donations on Fri 24 Aug 2018
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Developing Mindful Leaders in Kenya

Mindfulness In Prisons – a tool for rehabilitation that is changing, and saving lives in Kenyan Prisons

This project was founded by Dr Inma Adarves-Yorno from the University of Exeter in 2015. The mindfulness seeds planted evolved into:

  1. The Inner Rehabilitation Programme where inmates are training other inmates
  2. The mindful movement , which offers training to everyone in the Kenyan Prison services.

The success of both programmes is led and overseen by Madam Mary Khaemba, Director of Offender Correction and Rehabilitation and her wonderful supportive Welfare Officers. With the team working together, the Mindfulness Project has grown and is being recognised across the world and in notable media coverage, for the difference it is making to the lives of those in these prisons

Fast forward 3 years and we have an international network of supporters, dedicated to driving this project to reach all inmates in Kenyan prisons. Do you wish to join us?

What does the project involve?

In 2015 Dr Inma and her dedicated team created a Mindfulness Handbook – a training programme that guided inmates through the skills of mindfulness, empowering them to face and own their emotions and their lives, to regain hope and plan for the future – as well as Mindfuness practices which enable them to release emotions, a struggle for many. These skills and techniques are not only for their own lives, but also to teach others in the prisons, whether in their wards (cells at night) or within the prison schools. They become Mindful Leaders.

This project is a true example of rehabilitation. How do we know?

In 2017, 140 inmates took part in a quantitative study which showed that 80%-90% of participants

  • Feeling less stressed (80%) and less angry (86%)
  • Can forgive themselves (90%) and others (89%)
  • More often able to let go of what they cannot change (84%)
  • Being a mindful leader is an important part of who they are (88%)
  • Engage less in conflict (72%) and aggression (84%)
  • Manage their emotions better (84%)
  • Have an improved relationship with prison officers (86%)
  • Having more respect for rules and regulation (89%)
  • Reduced use of drugs (85%) and alcohol (82%) *(% of the 102 and 96 who answered that they had previously used substances)

Since the original handbook was made, the Mindful Leaders have developed these handbooks – adding to the Mindfulness techniques, creating versions in Ki-swahili, and soon also in sign language and other of creative media in order to teach Mindfulness techniques to fellow inmates. Moreover, the ripple-effect has and is happening – families of the inmates are benefiting from this learning, families who were fractured are being healed, children are being taught too.

How can you help?

We need your help to fund the resources needed in this work – to keep this project alive.

In addition to money this project will also benefit from other resources and support. It could be something material, time, expertise, advice or knowledge, everything helps! Please do contact us if you would like to offer anything.

Mindfulness Handbooks

Currently resources are at a bare minimum: some of our prisons have just 1 or a few Mindfulness Handbooks for the Mindful Leaders (inmates and Welfare Officers) to teach others. This makes it very challenging to include a large number of learners and is a barrier that prevents them from dedicating time and creativity to make the project accessible to even more people. Short supply of handbooks was a problem in all the prisons I visited during April 2018.

There are between 50,000 and 60,000 inmates in Kenyan Prisons at any time, our vision for this project is to reach ALL INMATES. Currently, we estimate there is just 1 handbook for every 10 inmates who have begun Mindfulness training - and ideally each Mindful learner can use a handbook as a workbook with space for self-reflection and personal growth, something they can own, refer to, and use to deepen their understanding of Mindfulness.

As well as handbooks, Mindful Leaders and trainees need paper and pens (at the very least) to demonstrate, express and illustrate Mindfulness, make notes and reflect.

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP? A small amount of money will go a long way:

  1. 57p = 80 Kenyan shillings - buys a note book and pen, this could provide a Mindful Trainee the space to reflect, journal and be creative with their mindful living.
  2. 57p = 80 Kenyan shillings - makes a CD of the Mindfulness Songs created at Naivasha Maximum Security Prison. The CDs help to fund the project by contributing to its contination in the prisons and hopefully growing to help more inmates

The prisons already have created songs, dramas, poems, artworks. We (including you!!) can help the project to record these creations by the Mindful Leaders, share them between the prisons and spread the teachings.

Are you feeling inspired ? We love what is happening and the passion behind this project, from the Mindful leaders, staff, and communities that believe in it. We would love you to join us – be part of this global team!