Other Resource Organizations

Below, you will find links to some other helpful resources, including our guide for people who want to begin volunteering inside a prison or jail. For a much more extensive national resource list covering all types of services, go to https://www.prisonactivist.org/.

Prison Activist Resource Center

The Prison Activist Resource Center provides support and assistance to groups and individuals working to reform the prison system.

Prison Phoenix Trust

The Prison Phoenix Trust is an organization in the United Kingdom that works to bring meditation and yoga practices into the British prison system.

Contemplative Outreach

CO is a spiritual network of individuals and small faith communities committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel, especially using the practice of Centering Prayer. They offer free instruction to people who are incarcerated.

Alternatives to Violence Project

AVP-USA is an association of community, school and prison-based groups offering experiential workshops in personal growth, community development and creative conflict management.

Prison Yoga Project

PYP offers two yoga books, Yoga: A Path for Healing and Recovery (also available in Spanish) and Freedom from the Inside: A Woman’s Yoga Practice Guide, free to those who are incarcerated.

Prison Mindfulness Institute

The Prison Mindfulness Institute (formerly Prison Dharma Network) is a nonsectarian, contemplative support organization for people in prisons and prison dharma volunteers.

Prison Volunteer Guide

If you are interested in volunteering inside prisons, we highly recommend reading this manual first, written by HKF Board Member, Chris Canfield. You can read it by clicking the link above.

Project Return

Project Return is a group that works with people who are, or used to be incarcerated using education, skills training, counseling and other programs to try and reduce the recidivism rate.

Pema Chodron Foundation Book Initiative

The PCF Book Initiative aims to make Pema’s books and recorded teachings available to underserved individuals, and the organizations that serve them, free of charge.

Lionheart

Lionheart offers the book Houses of Healing, part of the National Emotional Literacy Project for Prisoners.

Families Against Mandatory Minimums

FAMM’s mission is to create a more fair and effective justice system that respects our American values of individual accountability and dignity while keeping communities safe.

Just Detention International

Just Detention International is a health and human rights organization that seeks to end sexual abuse in all forms of detention.

The Engaged Zen Foundation

EZF fosters Zen practice in prisons and works to promote restorative justice practices.