South Africa’s very first Prison SMART Part 2 Course
“My heart was scared with pain, loneliness, anger and unworthiness. I made a decision to go for the prison smart program. That was the best thing I have done in my life. I then decided to go for the advanced smart program. That’s when I did something I wanted to do for a long time – I forgave. Yes, I forgave the man I hated with all my heart .” shares Earl Brophy, a prisoner from the Krugersdorp Correctional Services, Gauteng, South Africa. Read more experiences
Earl was one of the 68 prisoners participating in South Africa’s very first Prison SMART Part 2 Course. Held in May 2010, the programs specialized guided meditations, techniques and silence had a profound effect on the inmates.
Commended by the Department of Correctional Services, the program empowers prisoners to rehabilitate from destructive addictions and behavioural problems and lead a more serene and peaceful life within the prison and have a positive outlook to life, out of the prison.
This course was the first step towards giving prisoners a real chance to living a life coming to terms with their past, free from guilt, anger, hatred and a host of negative emotions they are often plagued with.
“During the sessions, it was so amazing to observe the depth of silence that could be achieved just with a few rounds meditation. The prisoners expressed so much of gratitude for the attention they were being given as a result of the program. There were many curious questions about Gurudev, how they can become teachers, as well as continuing with this when they were on the outside. “ Shared Shobha Maharaj, a volunteer on the course.
The Prison SMART program has been taught at Krugersdorp Correctional Services since March 2009 with 350 prisoners successfully completing the Prison Smart Part 1 course.
