Rob was presenting philosophy courses to students when an unexpected request came his way.  Now he discusses philosophy with people in prison across New Zealand.  How does it work?  How is it received in prison?  Read on for more about this excellent initiative.  Rob is one of the School’s alumni and remains a staunch friend of the School. 

Philosophers in Prison                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Rob James, Wellington, New Zealand

Picture yourself walking alone into an isolated prison on a dark, wild and wintry evening.  Cold and wet in the driving rain, you glance nervously around at the harsh grey concrete walls, locked gates and high fences with barbed wire atop, all lit up with piercing spotlights.  

You are going to tutor a dozen large heavily tattooed men who have spent years in prison for their crimes.  And your philosophy topic for the evening?……… Beauty!!  

Unbidden your mind races, yet again you ask yourself, ‘What on earth am I doing here?’

In the Beginning

It started some years ago, at the end of tutoring another Part 1 Philosophy course in Wellington, New Zealand.  One of my students drew me aside and told me that this practical philosophy stuff was great and was just what they needed in Rimutaka Prison where she worked as a clinical psychologist. 

She told me that more than 50% of NZ prisoners re-offend, joining a vicious cycle of release and re-incarceration.  She said that many don’t know any different kind of life.  Then she looked me straight in the eye and asked if I would tutor the philosophy course in the prison!

What’s It Like in Prison?

Going into a prison for the first time can be very scary! Prisons can be depressingly stark and foreboding.  It is a harsh and hard environment with small lock-up cells and mostly concrete courtyards for exercise areas, tightly controlled and continuously monitored.  

Tutoring a group in a prison is a far cry from tutoring a group in the beautiful buildings of the Schools of Philosophy.  Sometimes a room with the necessary facilities is available, sometimes not.  You learn to make do with the corner of a mess hall, where other prisoners come and go.  In high-risk areas we wear a radio with panic button and ear-piece, even though the room may be video-monitored. 

The Game Changer in Prison

That session on Beauty changed everything!  As I gradually let go of my ideas and trepidations about the ‘prisoners’ in front of me, it created the space for them to begin to open up and respond in kind.  It was an awesome and humbling experience as the real essence of the ‘students’ started to shine through. 

At the end of that session I felt elated, but also a little sad.  I knew beyond any doubt that these ‘prisoners’ were simply ‘people’.  People who could change their lives for the better if they really wanted – and knew how.  Exploring practical philosophy together was a vital key to helping them to make the change.  

Building Teams – The Freedom Philosophy Society

As word got out amongst the men, the popularity of the philosophy courses began to increase.  In just over a year, with the help of my wife, Roberta, we were tutoring 7 groups a week.  

Gradually other willing volunteers joined us, culminating eventually into the formation of the Freedom Philosophy Society.  And yes, our chosen Patron, Paul Wood, is a convicted murderer! (His book, ‘How To Escape From Prison’, is well worth a read.)

Over time, the Freedom Philosophy Society has evolved and grown.  With feedback from tutors and students, the courses have been continuously tailored and adapted to suit the prison environment, culture and needs of the students.  They remain underpinned by School of Philosophy teachings.

What Courses Do We Run in Prison?

We now have 4 Courses of 6 weeks duration, with each themed, interactive session lasting 75 minutes. Ideally tutors are supported by 1 or 2 assistants, especially when dealing with the more boisterous higher-risk groups.  We all follow a standardised approach that seems to work best.

Our courses are 1) Philosophy & Freedom, 2) Philosophy & Resilience, 3) Philosophy & Love, 4) Philosophy & Success.  We rely on encouragement, building trust and rapport, and removing the barrier of ‘other’.  It all starts the moment the first student walks into our ‘Sanctuary’.  Our job is to help every student feel welcome and at ease, so they can let go of any prison posturing.  

Making It Happen – A Typical Session in Prison

We begin with a Karakia (blessing), check how everyone is feeling, then ask for feedback from last week’s practices.  The tutor introduces the topic and we break into smaller groups, facilitated by assistants, so everyone gets a chance to discuss the themed quotes, then back to the tutor.

Many students have been locked up for long periods, so we encourage a few minutes of yoga stretches and balance, prior to the Mindfulness Exercise.  The tutor then leads the group in exploring the theme further, encouraging students to speak from the heart and real experience.  

We finish with practices for the week ahead, check-out feedback and a closing Karakia.  Students ‘graduate’ with certificates at the completion of each course.

Scalability and Sustainability in Prison

We are confident that many more prisoners can benefit from the courses if we make them available far and wide.  So, to maintain quality, yet allow for scalability and sustainability, we adopt a business-like approach.  That means ‘selecting carefully’, ‘training the trainers’, and ‘ensuring consistency’.  A close working relationship with Corrections Volunteer Coordinators is key as their support is essential.

My main focus now is to train and start up satellite groups at each of the main prisons around New Zealand. Many volunteers now come to us via the nation-wide NZ Volunteering organisation, along with a few from the School of Philosophy and friends of friends who have heard of our work. 

The satellite model worked really well in Auckland Prison (Paremoremo).  Corrections have booked us to run groups there for all of 2024.  The aim is to establish teams of volunteers in an area, so they can operate with minimal support.  That enables us to move on to other prisons. 

Recently another three major prisons, Wiri (Auckland), Hawkes Bay Regional, and Christchurch, invited us to run pilot courses there.  This will again involve applying for travel funding, and recruiting and training local teams of volunteers.  It feels like a worthwhile challenge.  The prison in Wiri is one of only 3 women’s prisons in New Zealand and will be an exciting opportunity.  It helps that their Volunteer Co-ordinator is a former student of the School of Philosophy!

Does it Make Any Difference? 

This is a question I am often asked.  ‘Hey Rob, do you have any real tangible evidence that what you guys are doing is making any difference at all?’  

That would be great – but the answer is ‘No’.  There are no statistics, no empirical data or proofs.  Even if it were possible to isolate and measure the impact, it could take years.  So why continue?

Why Bother, Brother?

After just a few sessions, one of my young beginner students in prison didn’t turn up.  There had been an incident and he had tried to commit suicide.  Apparently that can happen, especially with young men.

Another student, a former murderer now released, (the one on video), is a regular inspirational speaker for police officers dealing with young offenders.  He said Freedom Philosophy changed his life.

Change is of course up to the students, not us, and not all will want to change.  Yet some will.  For us, it is reason enough when our students begin the search for their true Self.  It’s enough when they put philosophy into practice, even in a prison environment.  It is reason enough to witness the gradual improvement in attitudes, behaviours, and relationships.  

I was fortunate to learn from many wise teachings at the School of Philosophy in Wellington.  It is a privilege now to be part of a team that can pass on those teachings to some who may need it most.

What students say about the courses in prison: 

• ‘If I’d had this course 10 years ago, I wouldn’t be here now.’
• ‘It can help me be a better role model to my kids. All sessions are key aspects of a better life.’
• ‘The past doesn’t define who we are. I can be good instead of violent.’

Interested to know more or maybe considering something similar? Go to the Freedom Philosophy website where you can write to Rob.

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