Exploring the impacts of engaged mindfulness on women residents in a community corrections facility: a narrative analysis
Incarcerated women face unique challenges which affect their experiences in prison as well as their process of reintegration into society. Community corrections facilities, while designed to support this transition, are often experienced as stressful, low-trust environments. Promoting positive socia...
| Authors: | ; ; |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2025
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| In: |
Contemporary justice review
Year: 2025, Volume: 28, Issue: 4, Pages: 395-408 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Keywords: |
| Summary: | Incarcerated women face unique challenges which affect their experiences in prison as well as their process of reintegration into society. Community corrections facilities, while designed to support this transition, are often experienced as stressful, low-trust environments. Promoting positive social environments in these settings can improve recidivism, and growing literature on mindfulness within correctional settings has shown promising results. Engaged mindfulness, which applies mindfulness and compassion practices towards addressing social problems, can serve as a trauma-informed, gender responsive approach. The study investigated the impact of a four-week pilot engaged mindfulness program developed for women residents in a community corrections facility. Data were collected through group audio recordings, researcher reflexive audio memos, and post-program evaluations. Narrative analysis of group recordings revealed three key processes experienced by participants: Grounded Perspective (pausing and applying intentional awareness), Emotional Connection (recognizing individual and shared emotions and practicing compassion), and Embodied Agency (cultivating sense of choice in actions and responses). Findings suggest that engaged mindfulness can foster supportive environments that enhance individual well-being and interpersonal relationships. This research contributes to the growing evidence on the benefits of mindfulness in correctional facilities, emphasizing the importance of addressing the unique needs of incarcerated women through innovative, compassionate approaches. |
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| ISSN: | 1477-2248 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/10282580.2025.2527622 |
