Androscoggin County Jail: Program Spotlight November 2023

By Sheila Sullivan, Program Director

As the women move through different yoga postures and breath practices at Androscoggin County Jail (ACJ), they are encouraged to notice the changing sensations and emotions in their bodies. In a recent class a student reflected, "I'm glad you mentioned that we tend to store emotions in our hips. Now I can really feel that. I never noticed that before. " This increased awareness supports the women as they navigate the stress and uncertainty of awaiting a trial while in jail.

“Lots of feelings of anxiousness and stress from our initial check-in. The women hadn't had outside time for the week (due to weather) and their TV had been taken away (for disciplinary reasons). After class students thanked me for coming, and said they really appreciate our time together,” shared SCY teacher Kate Osler.

Simply showing up each week means so much to the women at ACJ. Sea Change teachers remind the women that they matter, and that there’s a whole community of people who care about them on the outside.

The impact of Sea Change’s programs have been felt throughout the entire jail. Corrections Officers at ACJ have noticed less problematic behavior within the women’s unit since Sea Change Yoga restarted classes. Sergeant Langelier, Programs Director at ACJ, shared, “The classes as a whole have been effective in our facility. It has helped calm down situations that may have become aggressive in nature, by teaching the inmates about self-realization and coping techniques.”

The tools for self-regulation the women are learning in their weekly yoga class will serve them when they are released. Sgt. Langelier agrees- “Some inmates have discussed continuing their work with yoga once they are released, and giving it back to those that were just like them, giving them a helping hand like they were given.”

Your support is helping to ease stress and give hope to the women at ACJ. Thank you!

Photo by Molly Haley.