There can be no argument about the responsibility of society to reintegrate ex-convicts, particularly first-time ones, into the realms of law-abiding, productive citizenhood. Well intentioned efforts in this direction are both noble and laudable. But as the saying goes, "the roadway to hell is littered with good intentions." Good intent coupled with bad process equals disaster. Thus if the proposal to give a grant to ex-convicts is to have any positive impact and result, the supporting processes and infrastructure must not only be put in place but the population at large must be made aware of them so that they can rest assured and feel confident that the wrong message is not being sent; that criminal behaviour is being rewarded.
It would appear that the programme rests on the hypothesis that ex-convicts find jobs difficult to come by, a situation which is aggravated by their lack of housing etc and hence they re-resort to criminal activity.
The $5,000 question must be this: Exactly how is this grant going to be utilised, who is going to monitor its usage and what is the time period for its usage? Simply put, what mechanisms are in place to prevent abuse of the grant and if it is abused what are the penalties?
Unanswered or unclear are issues like preconditions for the eligibility of the grant. One would shudder to think that a carte blanche approach is contemplated. Since the grant cannot be considered to be the panacea for preventing re-occurring criminal activity, there must be measures adopted to increase the prospects of the ex-convict being successfully socially integrated by endowing him/her with both marketable skills and personal attributes and competencies. Educational, vocational and skill training constitute necessary but not sufficient conditions.
The restorative justice programme must include a life skills programme, a key component of which must be meditation. This proposal might immediately raise the hackles of some but the benefit to the society as a whole must trump communal agendas. There are many reports on the beneficial results of meditation on prison populations as well as on students. This is a topical issue as evidenced by about 36,700 Google results in just over one-tenth of a second for the phrase "effects of meditation on prison populations."
In a paper written by M Samuelson et al in the Prison Journal volume 87, #2 of 2007, the authors note: "Results encourage further study and wide use of mindfulness-based stress reduction in correctional facilities." In Alabama's Donaldson prison, which houses the most violent inmates, excellent results are being achieved. Using meditation and other mind-body techniques for reformative purposes can provide the basis for restorative justice, for meditation is medicine for the mind. It brings about changes in attitudes by inculcating a sense of calmness and acceptance of responsibility for one's actions.
Unlawful activities represent deviant behaviour and thus individuals who engage in such are in need of some sort of reorientation. Meditation can thus be used for this required therapeutic application as has been the case in Indian jails for decades. So it is strongly suggested that in addition to academic and vocational subjects, inmates are required to successfully complete a meditation programme. Completion of both sets of programmes would constitute the necessary and sufficient conditions.
The implementation of a pilot programme would be the appropriate way to go as there are elements that need to be designed and structured. There are various meditation methods including Vipassana, TM and Art of Living, to name a few. Vipassana is the one being used in the Donaldson prison in Alabama and TM has been extensively studied. Continuation of the programme after the grant may be worthy of consideration as a mechanism for reinforcing positive attitudes and behaviour in that cohort. Putting an end to the revolving prison door syndrome and the "out on bail on endless charges" phenomenon can positively and significantly impact on the crime situation. The life skills, inclusive of meditation, would be a bold step on the road to a crime-free society.
Prakash Persad is the
director of Swaha Inc