Information for prisons

The Prison Phoenix Trust was established in 1988 to encourage prisoners to practise yoga and meditation, based on silence and the breath.

In over half the prisons in the UK and Ireland, yoga and meditation classes are part of the prison regime. The classes help inmates to reduce aggression and drug use, and develop self-discipline, a stronger will, better mental health, improved self-confidence and a greater sense of responsibility.  Some prisons have classes for staff too.

Prisoners can order free books from us and practise on their own in their cells.

We also encourage them in their efforts with personal correspondence and a quarterly newsletter, written partly by the inmates themselves. Newsletters are sent to every institution in the UK and Ireland.

Within the Prison Service the Trust has strong links at all levels. 

Recently we have worked with the Prison Service Training College, the Prison Officers Association and with Prison Chaplains, many of whom use our written materials. Two Prison Governors and a NOMS Regional Manager of Custodial Services act as consultants to the Trust. We have a former Prison Governor and Area Manager on our board of Trustees.

Our teacher training course, which prepares qualified yoga teachers for specialist work in prisons, is accredited by the British Wheel of Yoga, the national body for yoga in the UK. We offer continuing support to prison yoga teachers through training days, a phone line and a newsletter, to which they contribute.

Prison Service Consultants: 

Jamie Bennett, Centre Director, IRC Morton Hall
Ian Mulholland, Regional Manager, Custody & Community, Wales
Luke Serjeant, Regional Manager, Custodial Services, West Midland
Alison Leibling, Director, Prisons Research Centre

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