The Prison Phoenix Trust

A Former Prisoner who was released 5 years ago from a prison in the North East writes…

'When I first came into contact with The Prison Phoenix Trust I was very unhappy and it was hard at the time to believe that I could change. I was sent to jail for dealing drugs and before I was arrested I became easily irritated and violent. When I was in jail I felt bitterness and resentment but later came to see that all prison had done was to save me from myself.

'I practised the exercises in the book you sent me Becoming Free Through Meditation and Yoga and in Bo’s book too. I’ve since done a lot of soul-searching, questioned a lot of things, become more committed to my meditation practice and taken steps to move on.

'I try to take the time each day to silence the mind and let yourself heal yourself. I think it’s a gradual process where things aren’t great but you get glimpses of peace and tranquility. And as this progresses, these calming glimpses begin to stretch and it’s the bad times that slowly become the glimpses.

'You have times when things feel great, when your head is clear and your heart is strong and you feel as though you can deal with whatever life throws your way (what did John Lennon say? "No problems only solutions"!) I like that idea: don’t pray ‘forgive me for the wrong I’ve done in my life’, instead simply ask ‘show me how to make amends’. I like that very much.

Inmate Karl bungee jumping

'With the help of meditation I’ve personally taken a number of positive steps towards a happier, more productive life. It’s taught me how to turn my life around. Helped me throw myself out of an aeroplane when I used to be scared of heights, bungee-jump off a crane (ha-ha). Both good metaphors for letting go in life. Just like when you’re sitting in silence, it’s hard to let go and take the plunge, it’s hard to rest your mind because you’ve clung to things so tightly for so long.

'I went from being in trouble with the law, reacting to disputes with often excessive violence, being involved in drugs and serving time in prison, to leaving that life behind me and becoming qualified as a fitness instructor and finding myself a job which I love. I’ve since enrolled in many further education courses and met lots of new friends as well as setting down with my girlfriend and spending more quality time with my kids. I look at the time I spend with my sons, talking and trying to guide them as best I can, and on reflection I think… we’re growing together.

'Sometimes I’ve been all over the place but the journey is good. I’m still the person I always was. I’ve just got a clearer picture of who that actually is. I’ve found something within myself that I never knew was there. It feels very strong. It’s amazing and humbling.

'Everything seems like its running in the right direction. Thank you for all of your help and support over the years. The Prison Phoenix Trust has certainly made a positive and productive impact on my life.

'In your last letter you ended with thank God for Karl. Well, I want to say, thank God for you!!'