The North American Vipassana Prison Trust (VPT) offers 10-day
programs in Vipassana meditation as taught by S. N. Goenka in the
tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin at correctional facilities in North
America.
Vipassana is one of the most ancient techniques of meditation. It was
taught in India more than 2500 years ago, and is considered a universal
remedy for universal ills, in other words, an Art of Living.
For inmates, Vipassana provides a tool that helps reduce negative mental
states such as tension, agitation, anger, and aggression, and gradually
leads to inner peace. For Corrections Officers, an ongoing program of
Vipassana meditation in the institution can over time help make the
prison environment less violent and easier to manage, as more and more
inmates incorporate meditation into their daily lives.
Since 1997 the VPT has brought dozens of 10-day residential courses to several hundred participants at eight correctional facilities in the United States and Canada. The non-sectarian approach welcomes participants from any background regardless of religion or creed. Preliminary research studies on the effects of Vipassana meditation on inmate behavior have shown very promising results.
Corrections professionals have found the residential Vipassana courses
to be a unique and effective approach that complements existing programs
for inmates.