Experiences inside Folsom

Two teachers report

By Tara Stiles

As you may know I’ve had some interesting experiences going inside Folsom Prison to support the inmates there who are practising T.C.C. Enclosed is a statement from one of the core group that i asked to put something in writing so more people could hear about the effects of T.C.C. in a prison situation. . . . Local Teacher Judy Trethaway is going in twice a week now and I believe is writing down lots of notes and stories. Hopefully she’ll get some things to [The Vital Force] also.

The T’ai Chi Chih Program at Folsom is a for ever changing situation. [Although] James Hecker did have permission to use the chapel for classes 5 afternoons a week last month, now that’s been cut back to 3 afternoons. Certain staff think it shouldn’t be in the chapel at all. Unfortunately they are not allowed to practise out on the yard either now. It’s not just a process of “It’s a good thing so it should be made more available to more inmates.” We don’t know what will be allowed next month or next week.

Incidentally one of [the] great things at Folsom is the inter-racial mixing that goes on in the T’ai Chi Chih classes, which apparently is quite remarkable according to the staff members of the prison.

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Dear Justin,

. . . When asked to describe what it’s like to do T’ai Chi Chih at Folsom Prison I think of a story I once heard. It seems there was a great art contest with a big cash prize. The theme was peace (serenity). Artists from around the world sent pictures of pastoral beauty and fields of flowers etc. All but one picture. It was the scene of a great sea storm with waves crashing on the shore. In the middle of the cliff was a bird nest with a mother bird and 2 baby birds, all fast asleep. That picture won first place.

That’s what it feels like doing T’ai Chi Chih in Folsom Prison! All around is chaos and confusion. You can feel the stress. But when the group begins to do T’ai Chi Chih you can feel the peace.

I met one of the Chaplains at a dinner. He said that the T’ai Chi Chih class has a 90% attendance rate. The average is less then 50%. Also when he asks the inmates what they get out of their practice, they usually tell him that they don’t feel so angry/violent. That they can handle the stress much better.

Thank you for your gift. God Bless,

– Steve [Wornoff]