Impact & Savings – Prisons

up to 56%

Reduction in Recidivism

for Committing New Crimes

When Released,

After Introduction of the

Transcendental Meditation Programme

up to 45%

Reduction in Recidivism

for Parole Violations or Any Other Reason

After Release,

After Introduction of the

Transcendental Meditation Programme

up to 56%

Reduction in Recidivism

for Committing New Crimes

When Released,

After Introduction of the

Transcendental Meditation

Programme

up to 45%

Reduction in Recidivism

for Parole Violations

or Any Other Reason

After Release,

After Introduction of the

Transcendental Meditation

Programme

… Diving Easily Deep Within

…To Reduce Recidivism

“Usually I look at myself at the mirror and I see only my reflection

… while since I started meditating I can see even beyond the image… I can see deep inside myself, what I have inside

… think more about things and also be more rational about the things”

– Inmate, long-sentence prison, Italy –

… Diving Easily

Deep Within

…To Reduce Recidivism

“Usually I look at myself at the mirror and I see only my reflection

… while since I started meditating I can see even beyond the image… I can see deep inside myself, what I have inside

… think more about things and also be more rational about the things”

– Inmate, long-sentence prison, Italy –

m

e

n

u

The cost of recidivism for society

TM reducing recidivism and saving costs

Benefits of TM for inmates and staff – scientific research

Experiences from prisons implementing TM

The cost of the prison sector for society

Offenders have a variety of problems or needs that interfere with them leading a prosocial life. They may be unemployed, dependent on drugs, suffering from mental illness or have poor self-esteem. The list of difficulties can be extensive, especially for high-risk offenders.

Providing treatment services to offenders can be costly. For example, according to the Eurostat report of February 2020, government expenditure on public order and safety comprising ‘police services’, ‘fire protection services’, ‘law courts’, ‘prisons’, ‘research and development related to public order and safety’ as well as expenditure not elsewhere classified, stood in 2018 at 1.7% of the total GDP of the EU, corresponding to €229.8 billion, while the cost of the prison sector alone stood in 2018 at 0.2% of the total GDP of the EU, corresponding to €27 billion.

Although the financial costs are significant, research also shows that properly designed and delivered programmes can reduce offender recidivism, thereby increasing public safety. However, it is very important that these programmes specifically target those offender needs that have the greatest impact on altering criminal behaviour.

Causes of recidivism

There is no single reason why

individuals return to a life of crime

following imprisonment.

However, some risk factors for recidivism

include the following:

Mental issues, including depression
Antisocial attitudes, beliefs and values
Antisocial behavior patterns
Antisocial peers and associates
Antisocial personality and temperamental factors
Family/marital stressors
Substance abuse
Lack of education, employment stability or achievement
Lack of pro-social activities in leisure time

There is no single reason why individuals return to a life of crime following imprisonment.

However, some risk factors for recidivism include the following:

Mental issues, including depression
Antisocial attitudes, beliefs and values
Antisocial behavior patterns
Antisocial peers and associates
Antisocial personality and temperamental factors
Family/marital stressors
Substance abuse
Lack of education, employment stability or achievement
Lack of pro-social activities in leisure time

THE COST OF IMPRISONMENT

At the European level, imprisonment cost more than €26 billion in 2018, according to the 43 prison administrations which provided data.

Addressing the risk factors that lead to recidivism

is key to reducing the probability that a person reoffends again after release,

and to facilitating offenders’ social reintegration

What is the contribution that the Transcendental Meditation Programme

can provide to prisons and governments around the world

in order to support them in reducing the risk of recidivism

and reducing the associated costs,

while creating a positive impact in people’s lives?

… Read more and discover!

What is the contribution that the Transcendental Meditation Programme can provide to prisons and governments around the world in order to support them in reducing the risk of recidivism and reducing the associated costs, while creating a positive impact in people’s lives?

… Read more and discover!

Transcendental Meditation

addressing the factors

which leads to recidivism

and saving costs

Transcendental Meditation

addressing the factors

which leads to recidivism,

and saving costs

Based on the results of studies at several maximum-security prisons, including Folsom and San Quentin in California and Walpole in Massachusetts, up to 56% fewer inmates are convicted of new crimes when they are released after beginning the Transcendental Meditation programme.

Furthermore, practitioners of this programme are returned to prison up to 45% less often for parole violations or for any other reason.

Journal of Offender Rehabilitation 36(1-4):319-331 –

August 2003

What is the uniqueness

of the Transcendental Meditation Programme?

The uniqueness of this holistic approach, involving both prison officers and inmates, is that it addresses the root-cause of negative attitudes and violence by directly promoting the psycho-physiological well-being of all practitioners.

Increase brain coherence through TM

A key feature of the effectiveness of the TM technique is that it has been found to develop greater integration of brain functioning, supporting clarity of mind and physiological balance. Increased integration of brain functioning is found during the practice, as measured by mathematical ‘coherence’ of the electroencephalographic (EEG) activity recorded at different locations on the scalp. Higher levels of EEG coherence are associated with higher levels of creativity, learning ability, and moral reasoning.

The success of the Transcendental Meditation Programme in addressing the factors leading to recidivism has been evidenced by empirical studies worldwide.

Extensive scientific research, together with direct application in hundreds of schools, prisons, and military services worldwide, shows that the Transcendental Meditation programme unlocks the hidden reserves of the brain, improves mental health and promotes mental well-being by decreasing stress and anxiety, reducing depression and burnout, decreasing impulsive tendencies, reducing emotional instability, decreasing neurotic tendencies. The result is decreased negative behaviour amongst diverse populations, including inmates, at risk youth, students and minorities.

The success of the Transcendental Meditation Programme in addressing the factors leading to recidivism has been evidenced by empirical studies worldwide.

Extensive Body of Research shows TM to be Effective for:

Developing Mental Health & Well-Being
Developing Integration of Personality
Developing Moral Reasoning
Developing Positive Social Behavior
Reducing Recidivism
Reducing PTSD Symptoms
Increasing Brain Functioning and Cognitive Performance
Increasing Emotional Balance

Extensive Body of Research shows TM to be Effective for:

Developing Mental Health & Well-Being
Developing Integration of Personality
Developing Moral Reasoning
Developing Positive Social Behavior
Reducing Recidivism
Reducing PTSD Symptoms
Increasing Brain Functioning and Cognitive Performance
Increasing Emotional Balance

Scientific findings on the benefits of TM

that bring a reduction of factors

associated with recidivism indicate:

Decreased Negativity, Irritability, Violence & Aggression among Prisoners
Decreased State and Trait Anxiety, Fear (Paranoia) among Prisoners
Decreased Depression in Prisoners
Decreased Drug Abuse by Prisoners
Decreased Prison Rule Infractions
Decreased Verbal Hostility among Prisoners
Decreased Sleep Disturbance in Prisoners
Reduced Recidivism

Reduced costs associated with recidivism, medical expenses, prison environment, quality of life for staff, crime rate for society
Decreased Social Introversion of Prisoners
Decreased Psychasthenia of Prisoners
Decreased Psychopathic Deviation of Prisoners
Decreased Schizophrenia in Prisoners
Increased Social Responsibility among Prisoners
Increased Self-Esteem of Prisoners
Increased Work Efficiency of Prisoners
Explore the Scientific Research Here

Scientific findings on the benefits of TM that bring a reduction of factors associated with recidivism indicate:

Decreased Negativity, Irritability, Violence & Aggression among Prisoners
Decreased State and Trait Anxiety, Fear (Paranoia) among Prisoners
Decreased Depression in Prisoners
Decreased Drug Abuse by Prisoners
Decreased Prison Rule Infractions
Decreased Verbal Hostility among Prisoners
Decreased Sleep Disturbance in Prisoners
Reduced Recidivism

Reduced costs associated with recidivism, medical expenses, prison environment, quality of life for staff, crime rate for society
Decreased Social Introversion of Prisoners
Decreased Psychasthenia of Prisoners
Decreased Psychopathic Deviation of Prisoners
Decreased Schizophrenia in Prisoners
Increased Social Responsibility among Prisoners
Increased Self-Esteem of Prisoners
Increased Work Efficiency of Prisoners
Explore the Scientific Research Here

Scientific Literature on TM in Prisons

The majority of the 40 publications on the benefits of TM for inmates and prison officers are reporting on studies in the US as well as some in Africa, Latin America and Europe. Eighteen of these publications are journal articles in the following scientific journals:

Explore Research Evidence

Papers are in the following journals:

Criminal Justice and Behavior
Criminal Law Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice
Journal of Criminal Justice
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation
Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology
Journal of Social Behavior and Personality
Kentucky Law Journal

There are also a number of conference papers; two doctoral theses, including one from Harvard University; a number of institutional papers, and a book chapter.

TM implemented in European prisons

In Europe, the Transcendental Meditation programme in the prison environment has been implemented through an EU co-funded Erasmus+ project, the FRIENDS project, in a prison for long-terms prisoners in the north of Italy.

The FRIENDS project has demonstrated that TM provides outcomes which promote emotional and psychological well-being for inmates and prison officers, and address factors which lead to recidivism. These outcomes include:

Emotional

well-being

Life satisfaction

Positive affects

Stress

Anxiety

(State & Trait)

Depression

Negative affects

This research showed that QT/TM intervention is a promising and straightforward instrument that can be used in prison in order to relieve stress, anxiety and depression and to improve emotional well-being in inmates and prison officers.

The FRIENDS project has demonstrated that TM provides outcomes which promote emotional and psychological well-being for inmates and prison officers, and address factors which lead to recidivism. These outcomes include:

Emotional

well-being

Life satisfaction

Positive affects

Stress

Anxiety

(State & Trait)

Depression

Negative affects

The FRIENDS project has demonstrated that TM provides outcomes which promote emotional and psychological well-being for inmates and prison officers, and address factors which lead to recidivism. These outcomes include:

Emotional

well-being

Life satisfaction

Positive affects

Stress

Anxiety

(State & Trait)

Depression

Negative affects

Decrease Stress & anxiety

Increase emotional wellbeing

Life satisfation

Depression

Read Results

A randomized controlled trial of 181 male Oregon state correctional inmates found that the Transcendental Meditation programme significantly decreased the different dimensions of trauma: anxiety (-48%), depression (-46%), dissociation (-48%), and sleep disturbances (-43%). All reductions were significantly significant (p’s < .001. ES d .50 to .63).

Read Results

More than half of violent crimes are committed under the influence of alcohol, so this study on reduced alcohol use disorder is highly relevant to social behavior. This study was on people with a serious alcohol use disorder, who were undergoing treatment in a rehabilitation facility. The finding showed that adding TM to the other treatments greatly enhanced the effectiveness of the programme. Follow-up after discharge at 90 days found that drinking was markedly reduced in those who usually practiced TM twice and that none of the people who practiced TM twice a day returned to heavy drinking. 60 patients randomly assigned to TAU or TAU plus TM.

Decreased PTSD in Female Prison Inmates

Read Results

181 Oregon state correctional inmates with a moderate to high-risk criminal profile were randomly assigned to either the TM programme or to a usual care control group. The TM group showed a reduction of perceived stress and trauma symptoms

Dominica offers TM to prison inmates

The Minister of Health of Dominica presenting the certificate of completion of the Transcendental Meditation course to the inmates. The minister was very enthusiastic about the outcomes of the programme.

The Transcendental Meditation Programme in the Senegalese Penitentiary System

“We noticed that no inmate who participated in this programme has come back to prison!”

Director, Thies prison.

In Senegal more than 11.000 inmates and 900 prison officers were trained in the Transcendental Meditation technique in the course of a governmental programme that involved altogether 31 of the 34 prisons in the whole country, between 1987 and 1989

Journal of Offender Rehabilitation

The 31 prisons participating in the programme overall reported a drop in the rate of recidivism from 90% in the pre-meditation period to less than 3% after the programme was established. Rule infractions decreased, medical expenses went down 70%.

Prisons officers practising Transcendental Meditation together

Director of penal prison in Dakar leading a TM group meditation with his inmates

“It is the most effective method of rehabilitation that I know of. I have spent my entire life in the field of corrections. Months have passed by without so much as a quarrel in the prison. It’s incredible.”

Director, Saint Louis prison

Effective Rehabilitation

Through TM

Transcendental Meditation addresses the root cause of negative attitudes and violence by directly increasing the psycho-physiological well-being of all practitioners and thereby promoting a reduction in recidivism.

Discover scientific research studies on, and field experiences of prisons which have introduced TM. →

The Transcendental Meditation Programme promotes the physical and mental well-being of inmates, improves the quality of life for prison officers and creates a more manageable prison environment.

It promotes a reduction of recidivism and the costs associated with that!

Extensive scientific research over the past 40 years validating the benefits of TM have verified the profound impact of the technique in addressing factors leading to recidivism including:

The Transcendental Meditation Programme promotes the physical and mental well-being of inmates, improves the quality of life for prison officers and creates a more manageable prison environment.

It promotes a reduction of recidivism and the costs associated with that!

Extensive scientific research over the past 40 years validating the benefits of TM have verified the profound impact of the technique in addressing factors leading to recidivism including:

Promoting Better Social & Interpersonal Relationships

Decreased:

Recidivism
Antisocial behaviors (e.g. impulsiveness)
Negativity, Irritability
and Aggressiveness of Inmates
Substance abuse
Depression and Anxiety
Rigid or Obsessive
Thoughts and Compulsive
Behavior (Decreased
Psychasthenia) among Prisoners
Social Introversion
among Prisoners

Decreased:

Tension
Neuroticism
Irritability
Cessation of Fights Between Inmates
Verbal Hostility and Aggression
Rule Violations by
Inmates and Staff
Antisocial personality/negative emotionality
Antisocial attitudes and cognitions
Less Sensitivity to Criticism
Decreased fear of being humiliated

Increased:

Moral reasoning and empathy
Sense of citizenship
Personal Integration
Emotional stability/ mental health
Emotional intelligence
Self-realization
Good humor
Trust
Tolerance and inclusion
Greater Capacity for Warm Interpersonal Relationships
among Prisoners

Increased:

Moral Judgment
Sociability & social maturity
Higher Level of Family Health
Greater Satisfaction with Marriage
Increased Sensitivity to the feelings of others
Improved interpersonal behavior of juvenile offenders
Orientation towards Positive Values

Reducing Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is one of the causes leading to crime and a main risk factor for recidivism.

A number of papers indicate that individuals who learn the TM programme show a significantly greater reduction in use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes than do individuals who participate in programmes of relaxation, prevention, or treatment.

The results of a meta-analysis show “that abstinence from illegal drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes is maintained or even increased over a long period of time among those who participated in the Transcendental Meditation programme, in contrast to high relapse rates for standard treatment programmes.

The meta-analysis also indicates that individuals with substance abuse problems who learned the Transcendental Meditation programme showed significantly improved psychological health in comparison to controls.”

Alexander, C. N.; Robinson, P.; and Rainforth, M. Treating and preventing alcohol, nicotine, and drug abuse through Transcendental Meditation: A review and statistical meta-analysis. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 11: 13–87, 1994.

Promoting Better Health for Prison Staff

Decreased:

Burnout – Emotional exhaustion
Stress and anxiety in prison officers
Worksite Stress
Fatigue
Cardiovascular diseases
Substance abuse

Increased:

Emotional well-being in prison officers
Life satisfaction in prison officers
General job satisfaction
Physical and mental well-being
Intelligence and creativity
Greater concern for inmates among prison staff
Increased efficiency and productivity
Improved problem-solving ability
Leadership development and self-development

Increased:

Improved physiological stability during task performance
Improved work and personal relationships
Increased self-confidence and self-actualization
Improved verbal and analytical thinking, synthetic and holistic Thinking
Environmental mastery

Promoting Mental Health & Well-being In Prison

Many studies, including in prisons, has verified the benefits of TM for improving physical and mental health. Benefits include:

Increased:

Emotional well-being in inmates and prison officers
Resilience
Better physical and mental health and well-being
Improvement in sleep in inmates
Higher Personal Development among Prisoners
Purpose in life
Self-acceptance
Self-actualization: increased integration, unity, and wholeness of personality
Intrinsic motivation
Emotional balance
Autonomy
Subjective vitality
Energy and Enthusiasm
Confidence and Joyfulness among Inmates
Mind and body coordination
Higher Levels of Self Development
Enhanced self-regard and self-esteem
Enhanced inner well-being
Better coping ability

Better women health

Reduced fatigue and emotional stress that may trigger menopausal symptoms.
Fewer mood-swings and increased emotional strength, happiness, and self-sufficiency.
Less stress and anxiety during pregnancy

Reduced:

Depression in inmates
Anxiety (state and trait) and stress in inmates
Symptoms of PTSD
Drug Consumption among Inmates
Use of Cigarettes, Alcohol, Drugs
Psychopathic Deviation among Prisoners
Fear (Paranoia) among Prisoners
Somatization
Tension
Emotional problems
Fatigue
Insomnia
Reduced cardiovascular mortality
Reduction of High Blood Pressure in Adolescents and Adults
Decrease in the Number of Medical Consultations by Inmates

Increasing Education Attainments - Supporting Skills Development

Improved:

Motivation to learn
Creativity, innovation, intelligence and brain integration
Work efficiency among prisoners
Mathematics and language skills
Improved academic outcomes for all, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds
Coherence of brain functioning
Intelligence and mental ability
Memory
Efficiency of concept learning
Focused attention
Field independence
Cognitive flexibility
Developing entrepreneurial mindsets and promoting entrepreneurship education
It contributes to resistance to environmental stress of all types contributing to more effective learning in the classroom and improved academic achievement.
Motivation to learn
Self-esteem
Overall student well-being
Less fear and anxiety of performing in public

Reducing Medical Expenses For The Prison Sector

Transcendental Meditation has the potential to be an effective instrument for reducing medical expenses for the prison sector, including medical care, psychiatric services, pharmaceuticals, women health, and an effective instrument in support of rehabilitation programmes including substance abuse programmes, educational and vocational training programmes, etc:

Decrease in the Number of Medical Consultations by Inmates
Longitudinal Reduction in Health Care Costs
Significantly Fewer Hospital Inpatient Days, and Outpatient Visits in All Age Categories – Fewer Inpatient Admissions for All Major Categories of Disease

Psychosomatic Medicine 49: 493–507, 1987

Promoting Better Social & Interpersonal Relationships

Decreased:

Recidivism
Antisocial behaviors (e.g. impulsiveness)
Negativity, Irritability
and Aggressiveness of Inmates
Substance abuse
Depression and Anxiety
Rigid or Obsessive
Thoughts and Compulsive
Behavior (Decreased
Psychasthenia) among Prisoners
Social Introversion
among Prisoners
Tension
Neuroticism
Irritability
Cessation of Fights Between Inmates
Verbal Hostility and Aggression
Rule Violations by
Inmates and Staff
Antisocial personality/negative emotionality
Antisocial attitudes and cognitions
Less Sensitivity to Criticism
Decreased fear of being humiliated

Increased:

Moral reasoning and empathy
Sense of citizenship
Personal Integration
Emotional stability/ mental health
Emotional intelligence
Self-realization
Good humor
Trust
Tolerance and inclusion
Greater Capacity for Warm Interpersonal Relationships
among Prisoners
Moral Judgment
Sociability & social maturity
Higher Level of Family Health
Greater Satisfaction with Marriage
Increased Sensitivity to the feelings of others
Improved interpersonal behavior of juvenile offenders
Orientation towards Positive Values

Reducing Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is one of the causes leading to crime and a main risk factor for recidivism.

Alexander, C. N.; Robinson, P.; and Rainforth, M. Treating and preventing alcohol, nicotine, and drug abuse through Transcendental Meditation: A review and statistical meta-analysis. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 11: 13–87, 1994.

Promoting Better Health for Prison Staff

Decreased:

Burnout – Emotional exhaustion
Stress and anxiety in prison officers
Worksite Stress
Fatigue
Cardiovascular diseases
Substance abuse

Increased:

Emotional well-being in prison officers
Life satisfaction in prison officers
General job satisfaction
Physical and mental well-being
Intelligence and creativity
Greater concern for inmates among prison staff
Increased efficiency and productivity
Improved problem-solving ability
Leadership development and self-development
Improved physiological stability during task performance
Improved work and personal relationships
Increased self-confidence and self-actualization
Improved verbal and analytical thinking, synthetic and holistic Thinking
Environmental mastery

Promoting Mental Health & Well-being In Prison

Many studies, including in prisons, has verified the benefits of TM for improving physical and mental health. Benefits include:

Increased:

Emotional well-being in inmates and prison officers
Resilience
Better physical and mental health and well-being
Improvement in sleep in inmates
Higher Personal Development among Prisoners
Purpose in life
Self-acceptance
Self-actualization: increased integration, unity, and wholeness of personality
Intrinsic motivation
Emotional balance
Autonomy
Subjective vitality
Energy and Enthusiasm
Confidence and Joyfulness among Inmates
Mind and body coordination
Higher Levels of Self Development
Enhanced self-regard and self-esteem
Enhanced inner well-being
Better coping ability

Better women health

Reduced fatigue and emotional stress that may trigger menopausal symptoms.
Fewer mood-swings and increased emotional strength, happiness, and self-sufficiency.
Less stress and anxiety during pregnancy

Reduced:

Depression in inmates
Anxiety (state and trait) and stress in inmates
Symptoms of PTSD
Drug Consumption among Inmates
Use of Cigarettes, Alcohol, Drugs
Psychopathic Deviation among Prisoners
Fear (Paranoia) among Prisoners
Somatization
Tension
Emotional problems
Fatigue
Insomnia
Reduced cardiovascular mortality
Reduction of High Blood Pressure in Adolescents and Adults
Decrease in the Number of Medical Consultations by Inmates

Increasing Education Attainments - Supporting Skills Development

Improved:

Motivation to learn
Creativity, innovation, intelligence and brain integration
Work efficiency among prisoners
Mathematics and language skills
Improved academic outcomes for all, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds
Coherence of brain functioning
Intelligence and mental ability
Memory
Efficiency of concept learning
Focused attention
Field independence
Cognitive flexibility
Developing entrepreneurial mindsets and promoting entrepreneurship education
It contributes to resistance to environmental stress of all types contributing to more effective learning in the classroom and improved academic achievement.
Motivation to learn
Self-esteem
Overall student well-being
Less fear and anxiety of performing in public

Reducing Medical Expenses For The Prison Sector

Decrease in the Number of Medical Consultations by Inmates
Longitudinal Reduction in Health Care Costs
Significantly Fewer Hospital Inpatient Days, and Outpatient Visits in All Age Categories – Fewer Inpatient Admissions for All Major Categories of Disease

Psychosomatic Medicine 49: 493–507, 1987

Support for Rehabilitation Programmes

“Desistance” from crime refers to the process by which, with or without the intervention of criminal justice agencies, offenders terminate their offending activities and maintain crime-free lives. It is usually achieved over a period of time.

A number of factors are associated with desistance from crime. Examples of such factors are acquisition of new skills, full-time employment, significant life-partnership or starting a family (in particular for women)

Most offenders are confronted by a range of social, economic and personal challenges that tend to become obstacles to their social integration. Some of those challenges are a result of the offender’s social environment, family, peer group, substance abuse or low education and skill levels.

The Transcendental Meditation programme has the potential to be a very effective instrument in support to Institutional and community-based reintegration programmes, by addressing risk factors for recidivism and helping offenders face personal challenges, supporting them to see themselves in a new and more positive light with hope for the future and successfully reintegrate into the community.

TM in fact has shown to be effective for:

Promoting personal motivation
Increase learning abilities (and literacy/ numeracy) in support to development of skills
Improve creativity and innovation in support to employment
Promote better interpersonal relationships
Decrease dependence of drugs and alcohol
Improve mental health and cognitive behavior/functioning
Improve ability to plan
Reduce violence and impulsiveness

Support for Rehabilitation Programmes

TM in fact has shown to be effective for:

Promoting personal motivation
Increase learning abilities (and literacy/ numeracy) in support to development of skills
Improve creativity and innovation in support to employment
Promote better interpersonal relationships
Decrease dependence of drugs and alcohol
Improve mental health and cognitive behavior/functioning
Improve ability to plan
Reduce violence and impulsiveness

An Estimate of Savings for Governments and Prisons

Through the Implementation of the

Transcendental Meditation Programme for Inmates and Staff

An Estimate of Savings for Governments and Prisons Through the Implementation of the Transcendental Meditation Programme for Inmates and Staff

“Based on results from studies at several maximum-security prisons, including Folsom and San Quentin in California and Walpole in Massachusetts, up to 56% fewer inmates are convicted of new crimes when they are released after beginning the TM programme.

Furthermore, practitioners of this programme are returned to prison up to 45% less often for parole violations or any other reason.”

Study by David Magill

August 2003 – Journal of Offender Rehabilitation 36(1-4):319-331

Savings for a prison system as a result of teaching TM have two components: reduced costs while in prison and reduced costs associated with reincarceration:

(a) reduced recidivism
(b) reduced health care expenses while in prison
(c) a more manageable prison environment
(d) improved quality of life for inmates and staff
(e) reduced staff
(f) early release
(g) a reduced crime rate for society

These and other effects described in this paper allow the TM programme to be an effective instrument to lower costs for prisons and governments

Cost Savings from Teaching QT/TM in Prisons Expected to Arise From:

Training of inmates:

Reduced staffing costs
Reduced health care costs
Early release
Reduced reincarceration costs
Savings to expense ratio over a 5 years period is 4.7 to 1

Studies indicate that inmates practising TM commit fewer infraction of rules and use more of their time in constructive activities (Bleick & Abrams, 1987; Ballou, 1993). Such changes produce a calmer prison environment where fewer staff are needed

Training of correctional officers and staff:

Reduced stress
Reduced substance abuse
Reduced risk factors leading to disease & health problems
Reduced sick leave
Savings to expense ratio over a 5 years period is 3.9 to 1

Societal cost savings:

5 years societal savings-to-cost ratio for the inmates who have learned TM and have been released is 8.5 to 1

Overall:

The estimated ratio of benefits to programme costs from introducing a programme to instruct 1000 inmates and 100 correctional officer in the TM technique is 10 to 1
46% savings in costs to the correctional system
54% savings in costs to the general public

TOTAL SAVINGS FOR THE PRISON SECTOR THROUGH TM

Total savings over five years for every 1,000 inmates and 100 correctional officers instructed is estimated at $31.6 million (combining the savings to prisons brought about by teaching inmates and correctional officers with the savings to society, including the savings from the reduction of recidivism).

TOTAL SAVINGS FOR THE PRISON SECTOR THROUGH TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION

Total savings over five years for every 1,000 inmates and 100 correctional officers instructed is estimated at $31.6 million (combining the savings to prisons brought about by teaching inmates and correctional officers with the savings to society, including the savings from the reduction of recidivism).

Conservatively, the overall ratio of programme cost to total savings is estimated, in the Magill paper, at 1 to 10, with 46% of savings accruing to the correctional system and 54% to the general public.