Rehabilitation through yoga: Mental health and the right to dignity in prison

Prison environments in Latin America are overpopulated, and current policies restrict more interns’ rights, which in turn leads to high rates of violence and mental health issues. All this goes against social justice in terms of equal rights, equal opportunity, and equal treatment. Following the trend of a more positive criminology, a yoga program was designed for prisoners in a penitentiary center in Valparaiso, Chile. Results of the program were measured before and after the workshop in terms of mental health and aggression. Despite no significant differences being observed in the analysis, a trend was identified in terms of stress, anxiety and aggression reduction. To conclude, longer programs with a gender perspective are suggested for future designs.