Prison ministry
Freedom inside
“Freedom Inside” is a program expanded from “Living the Power Behind Bars” and “Houses of Healing.”
“Living the Power Behind Bars” was formed by Marie Jackson in 2010 when she was resident in New Jersey. The program was for the inmates at The Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, in the Department of Corrections in New Jersey, and is now part of “Freedom Inside.” This program, while currently on hiatus from active facilitation since Marie’s move to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was offered to Department of Corrections inmates who wished to use their time of incarceration to create or enhance an environment of peace and balance through spiritual practice and support within the prison environment. Through understanding of Personal Power, the Law of Attraction and Intention – the heart of “Living the Power” workshops – inmates deepen or redirect their perceptions of themselves, others, events and circumstances to live a life of personal fulfillment, and contribute to an environment where others can do the same.
“Houses of Healing” is a Prisoner’s Guide to Inner Power and Freedom, a program offered in prisons across the United States. Robin Casarjian, originator and director of The Lionheart Foundation has created this program working to turn houses of correction into Houses of Healing through teaching healthy stress management and coping skills; Ms. Jackson was proud to offer this program and combined it with “Living the Power Behind Bars” to form “Freedom Inside” at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women. You can learn more about “Houses of Healing” at Lionheart.org.
“Freedom Inside” is based on “Living the Power,” Marie’s core product of workshops and talks. The format within Edna Mahan allowed for free flow of questions, answers, conversation and ideas from participants. All material in this program is intended to be grounded in a spiritual understanding guiding inmates in thinking and approaching everyday issues in ways that help them nurture kindness, openness, forgiveness and self-reflection, creating an environment where others can do the same. Active participation from inmates was strongly encouraged. A section in the library of Edna Mahan Hall at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women was in place housing books and other materials referenced throughout the program. This library allows students to continue their study and Marie is grateful to the Lionheart Foundation, holistic centers and publishers who have made donations of books and other materials to this section in the library.
“Freedom Inside” is currently being restructured to be a stand-alone program that can be facilitated in any prison by volunteers or inmates. While this program is under reconstruction, Marie welcomes inquiries to share practices and tools that could benefit those seeking freedom while in the confines of the prison environment.
Since Ms. Jackson’s move to Philadelphia and while her program is in reconstruction, her intention is to continue helping those incarcerated and those at risk of incarceration to realize their inherent goodness and light.
Proceeds from Marie’s workshops, client practice and product sales go to support research and expansion for “Freedom Inside.”
Book in progress
Of Our Own Device – Doing Time in the Prisons of our Stories, and How We Break Free seeks publication. Redefining “incarceration,” Marie explores the prisons of our circumstances when we don’t remember or never knew the Intention behind our individual existence. Coming to personally know and respect the women incarcerated in the Department of Corrections, she sees how “prison” can be defined differently for each of us. Of Our Own Device weaves together the common themes and inner dialogue from the lives of eight women on the “outside,” paralleling their journeys with eight women on the “inside.” Currently in writing and seeking publishers, Ms. Jackson chronicles the journeys of these 16 women breaking free from their own prisons, and in the process, learning who they are, who they are intended to be, and who they really were all along.