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A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation in Prison.


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Authors

Auty, Katherine M 
Cope, Aiden 
Liebling, Alison 

Abstract

This article presents results from a systematic review and two meta-analyses that examine whether prison yoga and meditation programs are significantly related to increased psychological well-being and improvements in the behavioural functioning of prisoners. Comprehensive searches of the empirical literature were conducted up to December 2014. Participants who completed yoga or meditation program in prison experienced a small increase in their psychological well-being (Cohen's d = 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.39, 0.54]) and a small improvement in their behavioural functioning (Cohen's d = 0.30, 95% CI = [0.20, 0.40]). Moderator analyses suggested that there was a significant difference in effect sizes for programs of longer duration and less intensity, compared with those that were shorter and more intensive, for psychological well-being. Programs of longer duration had a slightly larger positive effect on behavioural functioning ( d = 0.424), compared with more intensive programs ( d = 0.418). Overall, the evidence suggests that yoga and meditation have favourable effects on prisoners.

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Keywords

Vipassana, behavioural functioning, meditation, prison, psychological well-being, yoga, Adaptation, Psychological, Humans, Meditation, Mindfulness, Prisoners, Prisons, Treatment Outcome, Yoga

Journal Title

Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0306-624X
1552-6933

Volume Title

Publisher

SAGE Publications