Bengaluru: For 10 days, 24 convicts lodged inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prison traded their daily prison routines for silence, meditation and introspection during a Vipassana programme, organised by the police department from May 8 to 18.
The initiative, aimed at supporting the transformation and rehabilitation of prisoners, saw participants spend 10 days in isolation inside one of the prison halls, guided by trained staff members.
Personal Transformations Through Meditation
One of the prisoners, who used to work as a driver before his incarceration, shared his experience. "I had read about thinkers and spiritual leaders like Gautama Buddha, Osho and Ramana Maharshi. Through Vipassana, I began to experience these ideas in a practical way. I became aware of the sensations within my body, learned how to sharpen my mind, and understood ways to reduce sadness and negativity within myself," he said.
For him, the experience was more than just meditation. "If we adopt these teachings in our lives, we can avoid making mistakes, live peacefully in society, and walk on the right path. In doing so, we can also inspire others to follow the same path," he added.
Another participant said the programme helped him realise the importance of controlling his thoughts and emotions. "By the third day, I was reminded of many things. I realised that if we want to truly smile, our body must be strong, and our mind must be pure," he explained.
Discipline and Control: Lessons from the Guru
Using the analogy of a temple and a bull, the guru conducting the sessions illustrated how the mind needs discipline and control. "Through his teachings, I understood how negative feelings and harmful traits slowly enter us, and how our experiences shape who we become," the prisoner said, adding that the meditation sessions helped him understand how to become optimistic.
Programme Details and Future Plans
The programme was conducted with the help of 10 trained police staff members. Prison authorities said the next batch will have 15 participants. While the first two batches are for men, the third batch will be conducted for women. Participation in the programme is voluntary, and prisoners who complete it will receive 15 days of remission.
Alok Kumar, DGP of prisons and correctional services, said: "When convicted prisoners try to transform themselves, it will be good for them, their families and society in the long term. We wanted to provide them with the opportunity to transform themselves with this programme." According to him, several participants reported gaining a more positive outlook on life and new perspectives on their past experiences.
