In August 2015, three years of patient effort came to fruition when a Vipassana course took place at a low-security prison in Ireland. Loughan House in Blacklion, County Cavan, is an open prison for men aged 18 and over. Many of the inmates go out during the day to study nearby. They also work on site, for example, repairing bicycles and taking care of an organic vegetable garden.
Before the course was organized, two members of the Loughan House staff attended a 10-day Vipassana course. One of them served as liaison between the prison administration and the course management team.
When the teacher and four servers arrived the day before the course was to start, preparations were well under way to create a temporary meditation center within the prison. A ground floor theater room became the meditation hall and the billiard room next door was the dining hall. Accommodation was on an upper story, with most students in single rooms. Outdoors, a grassy area and a tennis court served as a walking area. The prison kitchen was ready to prepare meals for the course, following a carefully selected vegetarian menu that would suit the inmates’ tastes.
Eight students started the course, ranging in age from 29 to 49. As the days passed, they worked more and more seriously. It was obvious that Vipassana was having a strong impact on them.
On Metta Day, there was a small reception to congratulate the participants and hear about their experiences. On hand for the event were the prison governor and other staff members, other inmates, the conducting teacher, course servers and family members of the participants. To celebrate the occasion there were balloons, cake, flowers and a sunny sky.
The success of the first course opens the way for future courses in Ireland. Meanwhile, group sittings have continued at Loughan House, and several of the participating inmates were allowed leave to join a three-day course in Dublin.
Loughan House inmates speak about their Vipassana experience
“Really got to the depth of my mind and dealt with things that I was not aware were there … I know it has changed my mentality and outlook on life.”
“Amazing experience, a lot of up and down but it has truly changed my life for the better.”
“It’s the simple things in life that matter. And it starts with the simplest, your own breath. Vipassana meditation gives you the path to your own inner truth and peace.”
“It was the hardest thing I have ever done, and I would recommend to anyone who gets the chance to do this course and take it with both hands and work really hard. In the last 10 days I learned a lot about myself and how to deal with emotions which I always set to one side. I am now grateful for what I have.”
“I never knew myself inside until the last 10 days of my life … I am in prison two and a half years and I wish I had done [the course] the first week.”
(Source: International Vipassana newsletter • Vol. 43 • issue no. 2 • july 2016)
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