Yoga in Correctional Settings: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Criminology
• Health & Medicine

Background:

• Prison inmates often experience poor mental health and impulse control.
• Yoga and meditation show potential for improving well-being and executive function in this population.
• Limited research exists on yoga's effects in randomized controlled prison settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of a 10-week yoga intervention on prison inmates.
• To assess changes in stress, aggression, emotional states, sleep, well-being, attention, and impulsivity.
• To evaluate yoga's potential role in inmate rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• 152 participants from nine Swedish correctional facilities were randomized into a yoga group (N=77) or a control group (N=75).
• The yoga group attended one weekly 10-week class.
• Questionnaires and computerized tests measured psychological variables before and after the intervention.

Main Results:

• The yoga group showed significant improvements in 13 of 16 measured variables.
• Yoga participants reported less perceived stress, better sleep, increased well-being, and reduced aggression/antisocial behavior.
• Compared to controls, yoga participants had improved emotional well-being, less antisocial behavior, and better attention/impulse control.

Conclusions:

• Yoga practice in correctional facilities positively impacts inmate well-being.
• Yoga effectively reduces risk factors for recidivism, including impulsivity and antisocial behavior.
• Yoga can be a valuable component of prison inmate rehabilitation programs.