The researchers found that prisoners reported improved mood, reduced stress and were better at a task related to behaviour control after a 10-week yoga course than those who continued in their normal prison routine.
Dr Bilderbeck, one of the researchers from the Department of Psychiatry: "This was only a preliminary study, but nothing has been done like this before. Offering yoga sessions in prisons is cheap – much cheaper than other mental health interventions. If yoga has any effect on addressing mental health problems in prisons, it could save significant amounts of public money."
Also:
Yoga can improve mood of prisoners - Deccan Herald (India), 11/07/2013
Yoga may benefit prisoners psychologically - Times of India, 11/07/2013, via ANI
Psychological benefits for inmates doing yoga: Oxford study - Xinhua (China), 11/07/2013
Psychological benefits for inmates doing yoga: Oxford study - Shanghai Daily (China), 11/07/2013, via Xinhua
Psychological benefits for inmates doing yoga: Oxford study - Global Times (China), 11/07/2013, via Xinhua
Yoga may aid prisoners' health - ITV News online, 11/07/2013
TV: News, ITV 1 Meridian - 11/07/2013, 6.11pm
Radio: Kat Orman, BBC Radio Oxford - 11/07/2013, 2.48pm
Dr Amy Bilderbeck is interviewed about the research. (c.1:48:00 on the iPlayer clock)
Radio: Shane O’Connor, BBC Radio Coventry - 11/07/2013, 9.56am
Radio: Good Morning Scotland, BBC Radio Scotland - 11/07/2013, 7.52am
Radio: News, BBC Radio Sussex - 11/07/2013, 7.05am