In 1996, answering a letter from a young man in prison in California, Venerable Robina Courtin started what is now called Liberation Prison Project, a deeply compassionate organization of the FPMT that provides Buddhist advice and teachings, books, videos, audios, and other practice tools to inmates across the country. Meanwhile, Herb Cunningham and Shanti Wyckoff, on behalf of Kadampa Center, began responding to similar requests from local area inmates, making regular visits to the prisons and providing the same types of support. As it turns out, FPMT centers around the country get calls and letters from inmates weekly. They need help, advice, support in their practices.
At the core, the prison work of FPMT centers across the country is the same, but with each individual project responding to the needs of the inmates in their respective areas, unique programs and focuses have evolved. The Kadampa Prison Project committee developed a Pen Pal program to allow those with less flexible schedules to get involved.
There are currently only three experienced Kadampa Center members, and one in training, who are visiting the prisons. If your schedule will allow it, please consider joining the program. If not, the best way for you to help, Ven. Robina says, are through donations and pen pals. "Donations are the most precious. For the moment, I know Herb and the others, they spend hundreds of dollars every month on gasoline and different costs; at Liberation Prison Project, we spend around $5000 every month just to survive."
If you feel connected to this effort and are interested in participating, please contact Herb Cunningham. If you would like to make a donation, please indicate "Prison Project" on the check and either drop it in the Donation Box at Kadampa Center or send it to our mailing address.