Kindr Prisons

Kindr Foundation’s Dr. Doug Carnine initiated a groundbreaking initiative within the walls of an Arkansas maximum security prison, embarking on a journey to explore the transformative power of mindful kindness with a man serving a life sentence without parole. This pilot project aimed to discover whether individuals, deeply scarred by severe childhood adversities and responsible for severe crimes, could not only reform themselves but also become catalysts for positive change among fellow inmates and even correctional officers. The success of this venture led to the involvement of three more incarcerated adults, all of whom emerged as advocates and educators of mindful kindness. This initiative fostered a culture of compassion and respect, challenging and changing the inmates’ self-perceptions of being unlovable and unworthy, thereby aiding in the healing of their relationships and giving them a renewed sense of purpose.