Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Massachusetts Correctional Facilities
Marlene Samuelson, James Carmody, Jon Kabat‐zinn, Michael A. Bratt
The Prison Journal June 1, 2007 DOI: 10.1177/0032885507303753 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post evaluation Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,350 |
| Population | Inmates in drug units of six Massachusetts Department of Corrections prisons |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress-reduction courses |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Stress reduction Hostility Mood Maximum security Clinical psychology Criminology Prison |
| Citations | 239 |
| Key points | Highly significant pre- to post-course improvements were found on measures of hostility, self-esteem, and mood disturbance. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based stress-reduction courses were offered in drug units in six Massachusetts Department of Corrections prisons. A total of 1,350 inmates completed the 113 courses. Evaluation assessments were held before and after each course, and highly significant pre- to post-course improvements were found on widely accepted self-report measures of hostility, self-esteem, and mood disturbance. Improvements for women were greater than those for men, and improvements were also greater for men in a minimum-security, pre-release facility than for those in four medium-security facilities. The results encourage further study and wider use of mindfulness-based stress reduction in correctional facilities.