Class Setting
Class was held at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas which is part of the Santa Clara
County Jail system in Northern California. The M2 building houses largely unsentenced
minimum and medium security male inmates in an open dormitory setting with bunks on one
side and table seating on the other. Approximately 72 inmates are housed in this open
area. Lavatories adjacent to teaching area, separated by a half wall created some distraction
during class. A whiteboard and TV unit for short videos were brought in as needed. Daily
custody activities such as pill call, guards making rounds, inmates making phone calls or getting hot water created some challenges, However those attending the CCT class demonstrated focus and patience throughout.
Summary
Chanda & Christine co-facilitated the 8 week CCT program at the Elmwood facility in Santa
Clara, CA. Classes meet for a 2-hours, once a week for 8-weeks with assigned daily meditation self-practice. Classes included lectures, discussions, sharing of science, and experiential inclass exercises and practice. Real-world “homework” assignments were discussed, with special care to understand the situation and environment, and participants were encouraged to practice compassionate thoughts and actions, with specific practical tips.(A bit about CCT at the end)
In CCT, each week builds upon the previous, which made it specially challenging in this
environment as participants were sometimes called away for court and/or a physical relocation.
Yet the class persevered, the attendees were engaged throughout, always seated and at their
tables and attached metal stools even before we entered. They turned in homework logs and
participated in Q&A. Please see the mid-course evaluations, that have been sent with this
package. The mid-course evaluations helped us tweak and refactor anything that was coming up in class.
Key Goals for the program
- Improve your resilience to stress
- Create an overall sense of well-being
- Develop a sense of connection to oneself and others
- Develop qualities of compassion and empathy
- Discover the ability for kindness towards oneself and for others
- Take away a practice that will continue to develop your compassion muscle
Impact
Testimonials obtained from inmate attendees showcase impact in a direct manner. Included with this package are mid-week evaluations with testimonials as part of the evaluations, final
evaluations and reflections from written exercises allotted to the attendees.
We can see that the 8-week Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) program has had a
profound impact on the inmates at the facility. Participants have highlighted numerous
benefits, including:
- Coping in Difficult Environments: Many inmates found the course to be an
invaluable tool for coping with challenges and learning in an environment where
they expected little growth. - Perspective Shift: The program has helped participants recognize our shared
human suffering and interconnectedness, leading to a more open-minded
outlook. - Compassion: Participants reported a greater awareness of their tendency to
judge others and noted that the “Just Like Me” practice has significantly changed
their view of others. - Personal Growth: The book, “Fearless Heart” has a provided blueprint for living a
more compassionate and kind life, with participants taking extensive notes and
planning to integrate these lessons into their lives. - Continued Expansion: There is a strong desire for the program to be offered in
more facilities, with participants believing that CCT could trigger a much-needed
ripple effect of compassion in the world. - Future Preparation: Finally, inmates expressed gratitude for the program, noting
its importance in preparing them for a compassionate and mindful reentry into
Society.