Vipassanā meditation courses in Nepalese prisons between 2022 and 2024 led to significant improvements in inmates' attitudes, interpersonal relationships, mental well-being, self-awareness, and emotional regulation, along with reductions in anger, stress, anxiety, and vengeful feelings. Physical health and optimism also improved, and these benefits persisted during follow-up assessments. Feedback from prison officials confirmed the positive institutional impacts. The research used a mixed-method approach with quantitative data from inmates and qualitative feedback from prison staff, analyzed with descriptive statistics and paired t-tests.
Vipassanā, an ancient meditation technique rediscovered by the Buddha, was taught by S. N. Goenka and is practiced by lay meditators. A mixed-methods study of 215 experienced students who had taken at least one Goenka Vipassanā course found that regular practice positively affects both personal and professional life. On a personal level, it reduces anger, stress, and anxiety, fosters optimism, improves relationships, and enhances self-realization. Professionally, it boosts concentration, planning, decision-making, efficiency, and workplace relationships. These benefits held across gender, age, marital status, profession, and education. Frequency data were supported by chi-square tests at the five percent significance level.