Prison Correspondence Program

Overview
The Tallahassee Chan Center’s Prison Correspondence Program began in July 2024. A small team of volunteers corresponds with incarcerated practitioners across Florida. The goal is simple: provide consistent, grounded Dharma friendship to individuals living in highly stressful, isolating environments.

Volunteer Responsibilities

– Exchange emails on meditation practice, daily-life application, and resolving challenges
– Offer steady communication to people with limited support
– Participate in peer check-ins for clarity, boundaries, and guidance
– Optional participation in book discussion group with interested inmates

Why This Matters

Prisons are chaotic, noisy, and unpredictable. Regular contact—grounded in practice, not therapy—gives incarcerated practitioners a stable reference point. The project focuses on attention, presence, and mutual learning.

Training & Support

Volunteers receive:

– Orientation on correspondence guidelines
– Access to the volunteer team for problem-solving
– Guidance from Guo Gu and senior practitioners when needed

Join the Project

To volunteer, email tallahassee.chan@gmail.com with subject line: Prison Correspondence Volunteer.