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The Process of Forgiving |
by Manisha Gutman
TIHAR, India - It is not unusual to have moments in life when we need forgiveness. Often, even though we may have been forgiven by others we may find it difficult to forgive ourselves. And what if society feels that we need twenty years of isolation in a prison before we can be forgiven?
There are some prisons where this process of forgiveness is facilitated through activities that induce self-reflection and reconstruct self-esteem. The Tihar jail in India has long been in the news for the progressive steps it has taken towards the rehabilitation of its inmates.
An illiterate person landing in Tihar Jail can look forward to being literate thanks to a program where educated prisoners voluntarily teach those less educated. For those who already know how to read and write the Tihar Jail offers several higher education courses such as capsule computer courses, diplomas in creative writing, tourism, and human rights.
Besides, conventional forms of education, the Tihar jail also taps into the wisdom of great Indian leaders. Gandhian philosophy is taught at a Gandhi centre.
To help inmates reintegrate into a society the jail has created its own participatory system of support activities. Prisoner groups called ‘Panchayats' administer several activities. Once a year, a great Panchayat assembly gives a chance for the prisoners to speak about their grievances in the presence of media persons. This unique organisation has created an atmosphere of a self-contained village within the prison where prisoners have an opportunity to participate in the delivery of justice.
To help residents deal with their own inner turmoils and forgive themselves, the Tihar prison has integrated yoga and meditation into their daily life. In 1994, Tihar Jail made history by organising a vipassana or insight meditation camp for more than one thousand prisoners. Since then a permanent vipassana centre has been opened in Tihar Jail No.4, where two courses of ten days duration are organised regularly. Mahatma Gandhi said "Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong" and what better way to help people in the process of forgiveness than helping them to find their own strength within.
www.tiharprisons.nic.in
Story from Positive News Hong Kong
TIHAR, India - It is not unusual to have moments in life when we need forgiveness. Often, even though we may have been forgiven by others we may find it difficult to forgive ourselves. And what if society feels that we need twenty years of isolation in a prison before we can be forgiven?
There are some prisons where this process of forgiveness is facilitated through activities that induce self-reflection and reconstruct self-esteem. The Tihar jail in India has long been in the news for the progressive steps it has taken towards the rehabilitation of its inmates.
An illiterate person landing in Tihar Jail can look forward to being literate thanks to a program where educated prisoners voluntarily teach those less educated. For those who already know how to read and write the Tihar Jail offers several higher education courses such as capsule computer courses, diplomas in creative writing, tourism, and human rights.
Besides, conventional forms of education, the Tihar jail also taps into the wisdom of great Indian leaders. Gandhian philosophy is taught at a Gandhi centre.
To help inmates reintegrate into a society the jail has created its own participatory system of support activities. Prisoner groups called ‘Panchayats' administer several activities. Once a year, a great Panchayat assembly gives a chance for the prisoners to speak about their grievances in the presence of media persons. This unique organisation has created an atmosphere of a self-contained village within the prison where prisoners have an opportunity to participate in the delivery of justice.
To help residents deal with their own inner turmoils and forgive themselves, the Tihar prison has integrated yoga and meditation into their daily life. In 1994, Tihar Jail made history by organising a vipassana or insight meditation camp for more than one thousand prisoners. Since then a permanent vipassana centre has been opened in Tihar Jail No.4, where two courses of ten days duration are organised regularly. Mahatma Gandhi said "Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong" and what better way to help people in the process of forgiveness than helping them to find their own strength within.
www.tiharprisons.nic.in
Story from Positive News Hong Kong
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