NCJ Number
59511
Date Published
1979
Length
221 pages
Annotation
STRESS IS DISCUSSED AS A BASIC CAUSE OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, AND TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION (TM) IS PROPOSED AS A TECHNIQUE FOR RELIEVING STRESS AND CHANGING NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR.
Abstract
AS STRESS MOUNTS IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, EMOTIONS BECOME UNSTABLE AND THE MIND LOSES CLARITY. THIS LEADS TO MISTAKES AND MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR WHICH REINFORCES STRESS SUCH THAT A DOWNWARD CYCLE OF SELF-DESTRUCTIVE OR CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR EMERGES. TM RELIEVES STRESS THUS ALLOWING THE MIND AND NERVOUS SYSTEM TO FUNCTION AT A LEVEL THAT INCREASES AWARENESS OF WHAT IS INFLUENCING ONE'S BEHAVIOR, PROVIDES SENSITIVITY TO OTHERS, AND BROADENS THE RANGE OF ALTERNATIVE BEHAVIORS FOR PERSONAL BENEFITS. THE USE OF TM IN MANY PRISONS HAS SHOWN THE FOLLOWING RESULTS: (1) INMATES BECAME LESS DEPRESSED, COMPULSIVE, HOSTILE, AND AGGRESSIVE; (2) PROBLEM INMATES SHOWED SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN SELF-CONTROL, AND ASSAULTS WERE REDUCED; (3) INMATES SLEPT BETTER AND REDUCED THEIR SMOKING; (4) THEY VOLUNTARILY TRIPLED THE TIME THEY SPENT IN CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING; AND (5) PRISON RULE VIOLATIONS WERE REDUCED BY 67.5 PERCENT. LONG-TERM FOLLOWUP STUDIES HAVE YET TO BE DONE, HOWEVER. TM PROGRAMS ARE OF SUCH A NATURE THAT THEY CAN BE USED IN DIVERSION PROGRAMS FOR SELECTED YOUTH AND ADULTS, AS WELL AS IN PROBATION SERVICES. REFERENCES AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED. THE APPENDIX DESCRIBES THE FORMAT AND ACTIVITIES OF A TM PROGRAM, AND FUNDING SOURCES ARE SUGGESTED.