Donate to The Light Inside
Donations to our organization, made in partnership with Meaning Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 83-1707308), are tax-deductible in accordance with applicable tax laws.
THE PROJECT
Two million adults are currently incarcerated in America–a staggering number equivalent to the fifth-largest city in the United States.
Statistically, the incidence of trauma in their childhoods and early lives–before they ever set foot in a correctional facility–is so high, that researchers have suggested the collateral stress caused by that trauma paves the way to a prison sentence.
What if one thing could begin to change everything?
Founded in 2021, The Light Inside works from the inside out to end stress, violence and disharmony within the prison system, easing the burden on those inside the system and empowering its stakeholders to facilitate lasting change, and ultimately reducing re-incarceration.
The Light Inside imagines a world where corrections facilities are no longer needed.
We work every day to make this vision a living reality by providing life-changing meditation training scientifically shown to release accumulated stress and facilitate the healing of trauma to incarcerated individuals, corrections officers, and staff.
Our mission is to standardize meditation training in all US correctional facilities.
Our first program is currently underway at NYC’s Rikers Island Jail Complex, maximum security, where nearly 100 incarcerated people have benefitted from the comprehensive training. Many report less stress reactivity and a growing sense of inner calm.
“I’ve meditated every day, twice a day since I learned. Anger and sadness comes up, but I let it come out of me. I’m going to keep going. I want to process these emotions.”
–Gerson, 30, Rikers Island detainee
“Day by day, I’ll meditate the stress away.” –Nydrique, 30, Rikers Island detainee
“Day by day, I’ll meditate the stress away.” –Nydrique, 30, Rikers Island detainee
“I feel like now I have a better way to control myself.” –Geovany, 23, Rikers Island detainee
“I feel like now I have a better way to control myself.” –Geovany, 23, Rikers Island detainee
“I’ve meditated every day, twice a day since I learned. Anger and sadness comes up, but I let it come out of me. I’m going to keep going. I want to process these emotions.” –Gerson, 30, Rikers Island detainee
“I’ve meditated every day, twice a day since I learned. Anger and sadness comes up, but I let it come out of me. I’m going to keep going. I want to process these emotions.” –Gerson, 30, Rikers Island detainee
The Light Inside has recently expanded its services to incarcerated women, men and corrections staff in the Midwestern United States.
The Steps
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Our first program in Rikers Island has brought a sustainable tool for detainees to release the crushing stress of their environment and circumstances . By growing the program, we will continue to sow the seeds of inner peace across Rikers and pave the way for detainees to process their situations, chart a path forward, and reduce their chances of returning to incarceration once they are released.
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Meditation isn't just for the incarcerated; our mission is to also empower correction officers, administrators, and other staff to eliminate stress, creating long-lasting calm in the prison ecosystem. With this change, we emphasize the broader impact on the prison environment, fostering sustainable peace for everyone involved.
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The launch of our second program at an additional facility marks an important milestone for The Light Inside. We are extending the reach of our program to three corrections facilities in a Midwest State, looking to overcome prison overcrowding, violence, and stress. The details of this new program will be finalized in November and launch shortly thereafter.
Without tools to release the trauma, stress, and change, incarcerated people face an 80% chance of re-incarceration.
This never-ending cycle of recidivism comes at an annual cost of $55 billion to governments, or five times what’s allocated for nation-wide K-12 education. The national average cost of incarceration for one inmate is $65k/year, or $556k/year at Rikers Island in 2021.
1 in 100 Americans are currently incarcerated—but 100 out of 100 are affected by this unsustainable cycle:
Research shows one thing can spark change.
Science shows meditation has the power to help heal trauma and release accumulated stress, which we believe can break the cycle of re-incarceration and greatly reduce the suffering of those inside the system.
A mind and body free of stress and fatigue creates fundamental change on the human level, creating a safer and more harmonious environment at the system level.
The men who have gone through The Light Inside’s training report the following effects and benefits:
Donate to The Light Inside
A mind and body free of stress and fatigue creates fundamental change on the human level,
creating a safer and more harmonious environment at the system level.