The new super max prison, added to Folsom in the nineteen eighties, is one of the most secure and most violent prisons in the United States. Since 1998 this has been the proving grounds for non martial practices. Nearly seven thousand men have learned and practice both T’ai Chi Chih and sitting Qi Gong. A small preliminary study has shown that men who have learned these practices are successful upon parole ninety four percent of the time. Other prison activities--such as education, religious and self help programs-- have a recidivism rate (the rate inmates return to prison for new crimes or parole violations) of seventy to eighty percent. One would think these numbers would deserve greater scrutiny. Perhaps a University of California sponsored study.

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By: James K. Hecker, T'ai Chi Chih Teacher

This is the dream everyone wants and needs. Imagine safe streets in towns, cities and in the countryside. No need for security systems. Billions in tax dollars saved because police departments and prison staffing is reduced to the size required for service, rather than war zone sized crime fighting departments. Finally we are safe, our families are safe, and especially our children are safe. There is an answer that, in early studies, has been proven to reduce crime by up to ninety four percent. The answer is T'ai Chi Chih and Qi Gong non-martial practices in prisons. This is no laughing matter. In the Orient, morning Qi Gong in prison is a required function. The numbers of prisoners who are released from prison and return after committing new crimes in these countries is miniscule.

Of course prison officials are not going to allow the teaching of martial arts behind the walls. That would not be wise in any case. However, non-martial art forms are now being taught in many prisons through out the United States. The result is always the same. Violence is reduced, prison recidivism is reduced, and community crime is reduced.

The question is: Why are non-martial forms of Qi Gong not being taught in every prison? There are two answers to this question. First, there are just not enough teachers willing to put themselves at risk and enter prisons to teach. Second, there are still many prison officials that are not educated in Chi Kung or Qi Gong, who believe that all forms are martial. The officials either put a stop immediately to requests to teach behind the walls or hinder the programs in such a way that they become ineffective. After all, there is organized crime. On the other hand, there is an organization--built around crime-- that is so large and employs so many, that to threaten it by reducing crime so drastically would cause major socioeconomic shifts.

Folsom Prison blues is not just a country western song. It is a prison that houses over eight thousand inmates just outside of Sacramento California. It is divided into two sections. One is the new super max prison and the other, a medium custody facility known as old Folsom. Old Folsom was built in the 1850's as the end of the line for prisoners. They never left, even after death their bodies were buried in a number marked grave yard behind the prison. The new super max prison, added to Folsom in the nineteen eighties, is one of the most secure and most violent prisons in the United States. Since 1998 this has been the proving grounds for non martial practices. Nearly seven thousand men have learned and practice both Tai Chi Chih and sitting Qi Gong. A small preliminary study has shown that men who have learned these practices are successful upon parole ninety four percent of the time. Other prison activities--such as education, religious and self help programs-- have a recidivism rate (the rate inmates return to prison for new crimes or parole violations) of seventy to eighty percent. One would think these numbers would deserve greater scrutiny. Perhaps a University of California sponsored study.

Yes, an end to crime is a dream in the mind of society. In the past officials have only thrown up their hands, saying an end to crime is an impossibility. But now the T’ai Chi Chih and Qi Gong non martial art practitioners and teachers know that there is a real possibility. A possibility of safety from crime and peace throughout our nation and the world--This dream can come true. It has in one small community in California. If one of the most infamous and tough prisons in the world, Folsom Prison, can have a successful T’ai Chi Chih and Qi Gong program, what is stopping the others.

This is a call to all non-martial Chi Kung and Qi Gong teachers. Consider your Community. Volunteer a little time in a correctional facility.

For more information regarding teaching non martial Chi Kung and Qi Gong in the Correctional system, contact Jim at: Jim@taichichihbyjim.com