Mindfulness Behind Bars

In this episode I'm talking to mindfulness teacher Sonya Russo. Sonya teaches mindfulness to prisoners in London's overcrowded and often violent jails.  

Here she tells the story of turning her back on a successful career in journalism when,  after struggling with drug addiction and mental health issues she was introduced to mindfulness in rehab. 

Cynical about it at first she credits the practice with changing her life and from there she went on to set up her her award-winning business, Plan B Mindfulness, teaching meditation in jails. 

Initially treated with suspicion her courses are now oversubscribed and prisoners are flocking to her classes where they can find a measure of peace in their difficult lives. This has in turn lead to a reduction in levels of violence and depression  behind bars.