The daily lives of incarcerated individuals are often
violent and hopeless, with some people being imprisoned
for an extended amount of time even before
trial Fortunately, there are organizations advocating for better
policies and preparing inmates for reintegration into society.
In no particular order, here are some groups
working to reduce recidivism and improve the living
conditions for prisoners.
First up, at # 1 we have Yoga
Behind Bars. Founded in 2008, it is a
nonprofit dedicated to bringing trauma-informed yoga and meditation
to jails prisons, and detention centers in order
to promote rehabilitation and contribute to the reform
of the corrections system. Each week, its team
of volunteer instructors and incarcerated teachers offer instruction
at various facilities throughout Washington.
Using its specialized curriculum, the organization's programs focus
on restorative practices that facilitate stress management and
resilience. Its youth initiatives aim to reduce the
likelihood of future incarceration and to address trauma
stemming from early adverse childhood experiences.
Next, at # 2 is the Appalachian Prison
Book Project, which aims to address the issue
of mass incarceration by providing educational opportunities to
incarcerated individuals. The organization creates book clubs inside
prisons where men and women can discuss and
write about literature facilitators also lead creative writing
workshops.
The organization's volunteers respond to letters from people
in prison who are looking for material to
read. It mails free books to the incarcerated
at facilities across various states, including West Virginia
Tennessee, and Ohio. The books are eventually donated
to prison libraries for ongoing use.
Taking the # 3 spot is New Leash
on Life USA, which is dedicated to saving
at-risk shelter dogs while also reducing recidivism through
a training program that teaches practical life- and
social-emotional skills. According to the organization, participants gain
a sense of responsibility by caring for their
canine companions they also complete job readiness courses
in preparation for reentry after prison.
Every week, NLOL participants attend dog training sessions
with certified trainers veterinarians, and vet technicians. Its
post-release program comes with weekly group meetings and
individual case management, as well as 60 days
of paid internships and access to a career
clothing closet and food pantry.
At # 4 we have the Texas Jail
Project, which seeks to empower incarcerated individuals in
county jails by lifting their voices through stories
testimonies, and community building. Its website offers a
wide variety of resources for families navigating the
criminal justice system, including tips on visitation and
guides explaining how to advocate for an incarcerated
loved one experiencing mental illness.
Among its initiatives is to advocate on behalf
of pregnant inmates, proposing various laws in response
to complaints about inadequate food and the lack
of medical care in jails. The group also
seeks to publicize the negative effects of pretrial
detention, including how it disproportionately affects people of
color.
Finally, at # 5 we have the Sustainability
in Prisons Project. It is a statewide effort
that seeks to bring nature science, and environmental
education into prisons through various courses workshops, and
programs. Among its offerings is Roots of Success,
an environmental curriculum that equips students with the
skills necessary to work in the green economy.
Since 2009, the organization has produced a lecture
and workshop series in multiple prisons covering topics
such as climate change, energy and biofuels composting,
and native plant identification. During these workshops, students
get to ask questions, participate in a variety
of hands-on activities, or examine specimens.