As an outreach program of Mercey Springs Foundation, the Mandala Art Healing weekly course has been offered free of charge to inmates at Folsom State Prison. Mandala Art Healing is a form of therapeutic art that involves drawing, writing, book study, guided visualization, and discussion, delving deep into healing and restoring wholeness at the mental, emotional and spiritual levels of mind. Conducting these workshops has proven to be a highly effective in-prison rehabilitation program to provide prisoners with the tools and life skills necessary to create enduring change.

Started in July 2007 by Vina Parmar, MBA, the Mandala Art Healing Program has offered weekly classes packed with practical tools for healing, to inmates at Folsom State Prison. Working in partnership with Folsom State Prison, these weekly classes focus on preparing the men to become responsible and productive members of the community.

Benefits of Mandala Art Healing

The mandala drawings shown here were created by inmates - click on thumbnail for larger image. A number of studies have shown that art, meditation and rehabilitation programs within the prison system have significantly benefited the individual as well as society as a whole, to create a stronger, healthier and happier society:

• Better ways of relating to other people: Mandala Art Healing is helping to make the creation of “healthy prisons”. This recognizes the prisoners’ humanity and promotes self respect and a sense of responsibility; promotes good health; addresses factors associated with offending behavior; fosters family and community ties; enhances prisoners’ ability to lead autonomous, fulfilling and law-abiding lives in the community.

• A reduced rate of re-offending: Prisons regularly report that rates of offending within the institution by people involved in arts projects do decrease. Studies have shown a reduction of 58% in the number of offenses by the participants.

• Reduction in recidivism: Studies have shown an 85% reduction of inmates returning who have taken art courses.

• Improved attitudes and behavior: Research studies have shown that participants’ violent and hostile feelings reduce significantly in the months following art workshops.

• Educational achievement: learning an arts subject improved basic and key skills in art, history, critical, analytical thinking and technical abilities.

• Participation has had both direct and indirect benefits. An increase in writing or drawing skills is a direct benefit. Indirect benefits include learning how to work as a team, inner peace and calm, or increasing self-confidence.

Population Served

As a program under Mercey Springs Foundation, funding has allowed us to offer the course free of charge to inmates, and open to all regardless of age, race, color or creed. The tools offered are helpful both in coping within the prison environment, and out in the world as inmates transition back into everyday life.

Inmate population is all male. The general percentage of race: 60 % African American. 15% Native American 10% Hispanic. 10% Caucasian. 5% Other. Inmates voluntarily sign up for this program and are therefore receptive to learning and open to the ideas presented.

Folsom Prison is one of the few prisons in the U.S. that supports and provides outside activities to their inmates as a program of rehabilitation. As such, it is an excellent role model for prisons around the country. The Mandala Art Healing Program is the first of its kind to be offered at a state prison institution in the United States. There are art programs as well as religious programs offered through the prison system, however, none of these programs combine both art and inclusive spirituality for a powerful healing of mind, body and spirit as is done with the Mandala Art and Meditation workshop series.

The Results: Testimonials

In 2008, we are set to offer over 100 instructional hours, offered through classes of 2.5 hours per week, reaching 15 to 20 prisoners. Below are testimonials from inmates:

Since learning to create healing mandalas, a lot of the clutter and garbage that has been clouding my rational thinking and logic has been slowly dissipating so that more of the inner light can shine through.

I have noticed a deeper desire to care for those around me in a new way of understanding where they are, not just what I feel. The most prominent change I have noticed is a calmer self.

Mandala Art Healing helps me to understand the pain that lingers deep within my heart and soul. I am learning to help others improve especially my family members, because to do so I also improve myself.

This is my fist mandala class and I have a feeling in my life that I have not had since my grandfather and my grandmother died. This is a class that I believe will help me in my life.

The most prominent changes have been a dynamic turnaround in thought-to-be-lost relationships ... There is something to be said of the intangible but undeniable energetic shift that takes place after a mandala is birthed.