Yoga in Prisons: Outtakes from the interview with warden Jeanne Woodford
By Magdalena Winter, Yoga Journal, May 1, 2005
ASTA VAKRASANA by Brett Crawford
Yoga Journal: You're designing a new statewide program for California's prisons.
Jeanne Woodford: Yes, we're in the process of doing a massive strategic reorganization. Part of this process is looking at appropriate programs to address the specific issues of our offenders. It's not a one-size-fits-all. We have to look at what the concerns of our offenders are, and address their education, vocation, and leisure-time activities. Over the next two to three years, as resources become available, we'll be rolling out our strategic plan and programs.
YJ: You work with volunteers for the yoga classes. How does one go about volunteering?
JW: All these classes are pretty much offered by volunteers. Right now, it's a very cumbersome process and you have to contact the local prison. But as we reorganize at the agency level, we are going to have a community outreach office where people can call and offer their services. Our plan is that by July of 2005, we will have something like that available for people to access.
YJ: The Success Dorm program focuses on reducing the recidivism rate. Has it succeeded?
JW: We know that one of the inmates involved in Success Dorm at Saint Quentin went on to do some work with the Dalai Lama's foundation. One thing we have seen is that when offenders leave, we don't see them again unless they come back. So part of our strategy is to bring back ex-offenders who are doing well, and to understand what caused them to do well, so that we can replicate it. Too often we study our failures rather than our successes.
YJ: Do you do yoga?
JW: I used to before I got this job! Well, I do it on my own, but it's important to do yoga with groups of people. You can do it on your own but you will, over time, end up doing 20 minutes instead of an hour. You sort of need the support of someone up there leading you through what you do, and I look forward to someday returning to yoga. But between this job and my family, it's a challenge.
Letter from San Quentin
Yoga Journal received the following letter and illustrations from Brett Crawford, an inmate at San Quentin in the Insight Prison Project who was inspired by his yoga practice and wanted to share his experience with other Yoga Journal readers.
March 15, 2005
The enclosed artwork has been inspired by my yoga classes and practice here at San Quentin State Prison. I originally started drawing and painting my wife in advanced yoga postures (she is an accomplished yoga practitioner and martial artist), but now the majority of my artwork is devoted to my own practice of yoga.
I first tried yoga at a health club in February 2002. As a bodybuilder I was in very good shape but was blown away by how difficult and demanding yoga could be. Then, while at San Quentin in 2003, someone gave me a yoga book that described the basic Sun Salutation. I did my best to mimic the poses and after 90 days felt great from doing the routine. I was convinced I was a promising yogi, until upon my release later that year I took an Ashtanga class with my wife that really humbled me. Three or four classes later I stopped going, but continued to do my own version of yoga at home.
Last year I unfortunately returned to San Quentin for a nonviolent offense resulting in a 16-month sentence. When I got transferred to H-Unit, I was amazed and surprised to learn yoga classes were being offered for those of us enrolled in what is called the Success Program. It is a voluntary rehabilitation program for prisoners operated by San Quentin, the Insight Prison Project (IPP) and Centerforce. The program offers a variety of self-help classes ranging from anger management, positive parenting and substance abuse to hatha yoga and mindfulness meditation.
When I signed up for yoga, I expected to be either intimidated again or that it wouldn't be a very good class. But I was wrong on both counts. I am at peace in the class and feel like I am getting excellent, almost one-on-one instruction from the teacher, James Fox of IPP. I have a long way to go in perfecting the asanas but feel I am realizing the deeper, more meaningful benefits from the practice. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to learn more about the real intention of a yoga practice and not just the physical aspects. Yoga has filled a void for me where the spiritual and physical meet and enabled me to express that experience through my art.
Sincerely,
Brett Crawford, #V39486
San Quentin State Prison
H-Unit
San Quentin, California