Contemplative Practices and the Movement Toward a More Just Criminal Legal System

• NCJ Number: 310218
• Journal: American Journal of Orthopsychiatry Volume: Online Dated: Feb 2025
• Author(s): Daniel W. Grupe; Sophia Diamantis; Carmen Alonso
• Date Published: February 2025
• Length: 13 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2017-R2-CX-0033
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

This research explores how contemplative practices can be implemented to achieve a more just criminal legal system.

Abstract

In this study, the authors explore the role of contemplative practices in the development of a more just criminal legal system through parallel lines of research and practice with police officers and incarcerated individuals. The authors conclude that to advance justice through contemplative practice and research, practitioners must be explicit about the ethical framework in which mindfulness practices are offered; bring these practices to individuals and organizations with the capability to influence systems change; and foreground shared humanity above perceived differences for individuals with very different relationships to the criminal legal system. This article integrates the authors’ perspectives and critical reflections on this work with qualitative data from three groups engaged as research participants and community advisors. First, the authors share excerpts from semistructured interviews with police officers suggesting that an overemphasis on individual resilience and well-being may limit the extent to which mindfulness practices lead to interpersonal benefits or raise critical awareness of officers’ role in an unjust criminal legal system. Second, the authors share perspectives from community advisors on how future research and training with police officers can be more responsive to community concerns and priorities. Third, after sharing reflections on offering mindfulness practices in prisons, the authors summarize recommendations from an advisory board of formerly incarcerated individuals on how mindfulness can best support community reentry. (Published Abstract Provided)