Zen Prison Program

Offering Zen Practice at MCI-Framingham Women’s Correctional Institution

A group of Zen practitioners regularly offers meditation and Zen practice with women incarcerated at MCI-Framingham, and we’re looking for additional volunteers to join us.

All Zen practitioners are invited. What matters is a desire to bring a compassionate presence and help create a respectful space for practice within the incarcerated setting. Together, volunteers and participants sit, walk, chant, and share practice.

The group meets on Monday evenings 6pm-7:30pm. There is no expectation that volunteers attend every week: some come regularly, while others join when their schedules allow.

The Massachusetts Department of Correction requires an application and orientation. Orientations are offered periodically, and will be announced in our newsletter and/or over our mailing list. Because the application process can take some time, now is a good time to find out more about this tremendous opportunity to take our practice off the cushion.

Harry Gordon, who has practiced with Full Moon Zen in the past, has been volunteering at MCI-Framingham since 2024 and now coordinates the Zen program there. If you have questions about volunteering in a correctional institution, Harry can describe how a typical evening works, what to expect, as well help you with the application and orientation if you're interested in participating.

Interested—or simply curious? Reach out to the FMZ Board to learn more, ask questions, or request an application, and your query will be forwarded to Harry.