(VIDEO) Millions of inmates are crammed into overcrowded correctional facilities around the world with no educational programs addressing self-esteem or positive life skills. The rate of recidivism in some U.S. states is 75% or higher. In contrast, Captain Lorenzo Carter, of the Dominguez State Prison in San Antonio, Texas, recently reported that for inmates there who had attended the TPRF’s Inner Peace Workshop, less than 1% have returned to this prison.

For almost four years, TPRF volunteers Roberto and Chantal Piriz, Sherilyn Strickland, and Jim Clink have been presenting workshops for inmates based on Prem Rawat’s message of peace. In organizing the workshops, they have worked closely with Captain Carter, head of Correctional Officers and Volunteer Services at the Dominguez Prison. In a recent interview with Chantal and Roberto, the Captain spoke about the workshops: “The offenders who attend the program, their disciplinary record has gone down. They stay out of trouble. It has a positive impact on everyone who attends the class. It is one of my best classes because of the attendance rate and the turnout. Of the seven that I have, this is by far the best.”

Captain Carter started listening to the videos himself almost four years ago. In his words, “I wanted to listen to this. I wanted to find out more and more. So I listened coming to work, going home, at home. It has shown a lot within me … to make my life easier by understanding that you don’t have to be angry. You can have a peace within yourself.

“It seemed like he was speaking to me directly by his words,” he continued. “Everything I was going through, he was pinpointing it … and gave me ways to approach problems, to face it with peace. It changed me; it changed the way I deal with my kids and my relationships with other people. It’s been a great, positive impact on me totally. On a professional level, it has changed how I deal with offenders and management. It has been a very positive impact on my life by listening to him, and I continue to do it on a daily basis.”

After his own experience and seeing the enthusiasm of inmates, many of whom have written to Prem Rawat expressing their gratitude, Captain Carter sent TPRF a letter praising the program and inviting Prem Rawat to speak at the prison. “The Administration here would love to have him,” he said. “Whenever he’s ready, we’d welcome him here and put the word out for him to give his speech to our whole population—which is 2,200 offenders at this time. All we’re waiting for is a date.”

Watch a video interview with Captain Carter here.

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