Inmate Yoga Classes Designed to Prevent Repeat Offenses

N0037664 Yoga practice illustrated with thermography
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The Norfolk, VA, Sheriff's Office has launched a new program using mindfulness and yoga to teach inmates better impulse control and decision-making skills. The effort is part of The Prison Yoga Project, which has more than 15 years of experience in jails and prisons nationwide. In the noisy and loud jail environment, it can be hard to find peace. However, inmates are learning to take deep breaths and centering themselves with veteran yoga teacher, Christine Harrell. Her student, George Sutton, has been practicing yoga for 3 weeks inside the Norfolk City Jail, "Since I’ve been locked up and taking the class, I just overall rationalize things more better. Instead of before acting off of impulse. I don't act off as impulse as much."