Thirty-seven inmates participate in a ten-day Vipassana meditation retreat at Donaldson Correctional Facility in Alabama, seeking personal transformation.
Synopsis
Thirty-seven inmates participate in a ten-day Vipassana meditation retreat at Donaldson Correctional Facility in Alabama, seeking personal transformation.
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Synopsis
At Donaldson Correctional Facility in Alabama, a ten-day Vipassana meditation retreat unfolds for inmates, many serving life sentences. Directed by Jenny Phillips, "The Dhamma Brothers" features four convicted murderers as they engage in silent meditation, confronting their pasts and seeking personal change. The program, initiated in January 2002, is the first of its kind in a U.S. maximum-security prison. Interviews with prison officials and local residents provide context for the program's impact on the inmates and the facility.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Meet inmates transforming through meditation at Donaldson prison.
- See the challenges of implementing meditation in a maximum-security setting.
- Find out about the impact of Vipassana on prison culture.
Did You Know
- The first ten-day Vipassana retreat at Donaldson took place in January 2002 with twenty inmates.
- Grady Bankhead described the meditation retreat as tougher than his eight years on Death Row.
- The film won the NCCD PASS Award in 2007 and tied for Best Feature Documentary at the Woods Hole Film Festival.
- Studies reported sharp declines in disciplinary actions and recidivism following the meditation program's implementation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What meditation program was implemented at Donaldson Correctional Facility?
The meditation program taught was Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka.
When did the first ten-day intensive meditation retreat occur at Donaldson prison?
The first ten-day intensive at the prison occurred in January 2002 with twenty inmates.
What were the reported effects of the meditation program on inmates?
Studies reported sharp declines in disciplinary action, violence, self-reported drug use, and recidivism following the implementation of the program.
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