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Exploring an intensive meditation intervention for incarcerated youth.

BACKGROUND
We examined the experiences of incarcerated adolescent males (N = 29) who participated in a one-day meditation retreat and 10-week meditation programme.


METHOD
Self-report surveys assessing mindfulness, self-regulation, impulsivity and stress; behavioural assessments; and focus group data were examined.


RESULTS
We observed significantly higher scores in self-regulation (p = .012) and psychometric markers demonstrated psychological enhancement. No behavioural change was observed. Six themes emerged: enhanced well-being, increased self-discipline, increased social cohesiveness, expanded self-awareness, resistance to meditation and future meditation practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Early evidence suggests that meditation training for incarcerated youth is a feasible and promising intervention.