Ahead of the Women and Justice: A New Direction summit in London this week, the award-winning Prison Phoenix Trust (The PPT) has emphasised that addressing the mental health needs of women in prison is a fundamental aspect of justice reform.

And it is sharing the latest findings from its mindful yoga and meditation programmes delivered in two women’s prisons throughout 2023 and 2024.

According to recent government statistics, 82% of women in prison report mental health problems, and one third of women in prison engage in self-harming behaviours. This highlights a pressing need for effective interventions to support mental wellbeing.

The summit will explore key solutions for reforming justice for women and follows prisons minister James Timpson’s recent announcement that he aims to close a women’s prison in England or Wales, redirecting offenders to alternative forms of punishment and rehabilitation. The event will bring together influential thinkers, activists, and practitioners to discuss the future direction of justice for women.

To coincide with the summit, Selina Sasse is sharing data from 11 mindful yoga and meditation courses run by The PPT. The results of these programmes, which involved women in two prisons participating in weekly 2-hour yoga and meditation sessions, reveal the significant impact these practices have on mental wellbeing and their potential to aid in rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society.

Participants completed the WEMWBS (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale) questionnaire at the start and end of each course to assess changes in their mental health relative to the general population. The results from 40 participants who completed the questionnaires are striking:

• 84% of participants reported meaningful improvements in their mental wellbeing, as assessed by psychologists.
• The proportion of participants with low mental wellbeing decreased from 69% to just 5%.
• Those with moderate mental wellbeing increased from 31% to 78%.
• The number of participants with high mental wellbeing grew from 0% to 18%.

These findings demonstrate the powerful role that yoga and meditation can play in supporting the mental health of women in the justice system, helping them not only to heal but to prepare for life beyond prison.

Selina Sasse commented: “These results show that yoga, mindfulness, and meditation are not just about physical health; they are vital tools for supporting women’s mental wellbeing, particularly those within the criminal justice system. Our programmes give participants a sense of calm, empowerment, and hope, contributing to their meaningful recovery and resilience. We see first-hand how people can only move forward in life when their mental health improves, and this transformation is key to rehabilitation.”

About The Prison Phoenix Trust
The Prison Phoenix Trust is a UK charity that uses mindfulness, yoga, and meditation to support individuals in prisons. The charity provides tools for personal development, mental wellbeing, and rehabilitation. Since 1988, The PPT has worked across both men’s and women’s prisons, delivering courses and one-to-one support. In 2024 it was highly commended for its works supporting health and wellbeing in prisons in the Inspire Justice Awards.