Breaking the cycle of crime:
A significant proportion of crime is committed by offenders who have multiple problems. Evidence shows that drug dependency, mental illness, stress, frustration, and poor education fuel criminal behaviour:
- Over 70% of the prison population suffer from two or more mental disorders
- 43% of offenders are reconvicted within a year
- Re-offending costs the economy £11bn a year. The cost for keeping someone in prison is £45,000 a year. Studies show that the combined cost of conviction and imprisonment for a year at £165,000
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Freedom
behind bars -
Oregon inmates find freedom from stress
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Senior prison researcher talks about benefits
of TM -
Prison medical doctor wants TM
for all inmates
Our Approach:
Freedom Behind Bars
The origins of criminal behaviour, while difficult to pinpoint precisely, can often be traced back to the long-term impact of traumatic stress. Unless a rehabilitation programme for the men and women behind bars effectively targets this disorder, the rehabilitation is often ineffective, and incarceration and reconviction rates will continue to climb. This results in considerable pain and suffering for the victims of crime, significant expense to taxpayers, and substantial waste of the lives of those imprisoned.
For 35 years, Transcendental Meditation has been taught with significant benefit to inmates and guards in some of the toughest prisons in the USA, including San Quentin, Folsom, and Walpole. This programme has been warmly received by the prison population and prison governors because the results are immediate: deep relaxation and relief from stress, anxiety, and depression. This has been found to result in fewer rule infractions as well as reduced reconviction rates. Also, the technique is easy to learn and requires no belief or change in lifestyle.
The David Lynch Foundation UK employs specially qualified teachers of Transcendental Meditation to work in prisons, to help support rehabilitation of offenders by reducing the underlying stress within the prison community that can undermine existing rehabilitation programmes.
CASE STUDY: The David Lynch Foundation has offered its support to Oregon State Correctional Institution, USA, for 93 inmates and 16 correctional staff members to learn Transcendental Meditation. Since learning the technique, the men have reported health benefits including reduction in anxiety, depression, and hyperactivity – improvements documented by medical staff.
If you would like to support the David Lynch Foundation UK programmes for prisons and rehabilitation centres, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
If you would like more information about implementing a programme, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Immediate Funding Needs
Support the David Lynch Foundation UK
—Freedom Behind Bars initiative
The David Lynch Foundation UK offers the Transcendental Meditation programme to inmates and guards to reduce stress, develop inner calmness, promote greater self esteem and improve relationships.
Funding Target: £1,100 per inmate for specially trained teachers to provide an intensive 12-month programme of individualised instruction and follow-up in Transcendental Meditation for 100 inmates and staff
© David Lynch Foundation UK 2012. All rights reserved.
David Lynch Foundation UK is a registered charity in England and Wales No. 1146643
Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England & Wales No. 7933959
Transcendental Meditation®, founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi® is available in the UK only from
Maharishi Foundation®, registered educational charity number 270157 (in Northern Ireland charity
number X0610/9, an affiliate of Maharishi Foundation).