Everyday Injustice Podcast Episode 319: Finding Inner Freedom Behind Bars

About this episode

The episode explores the impact of meditation on individuals in prison and their journey towards reentry through the experiences of a former inmate and a meditation teacher.

Meditation, Redemption and the Promise of Reentry In the latest episode of Everyday Injustice, host David Greenwald revisits the transformative power of meditation inside prison walls, bringing back longtime meditation teacher Doina Durbin and introducing Doug, a formerly incarcerated man whose life was reshaped by the practice. The conversation moves beyond theory, grounding itself in lived experience as Doug recounts how meditation helped him navigate years inside the Texas prison system and ultimately face the daunting realities of reentry with resilience and clarity . Durbin, who has practiced meditation for 45 years and has taught it for four decades, launched her prison program in Texas in 2019 after decades of hoping to bring the discipline behind bars . Her work emphasizes meditation not as dogma but as a practical tool for cultivating awareness, managing anger and developing inner stability. Inside facilities often defined by noise, tension and trauma, she found surprising receptivity. According to the transcript, even correctional staff observed noticeable changes in participants who emerged from sessions calmer and more centered . Doug’s story provides a powerful case…

People in this episode

Host: David Greenwald

Guests: Doina Durbin, Doug

Topics covered

• meditation
• prison reform
• reentry
• mental health

Keywords

• transformation
• inner peace
• Texas prison system
• mindfulness

Mentioned in this episode

Products: meditation program

Books & works: Everyday Injustice, Finding Inner Freedom Behind Bars

Places: Texas

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