DEVELOPMENT OF MODEL FACILITATORS TO TEACH BUDDHISM AND INSPIRE PRISONERS IN NAKHON PATHOM PRISON

Abstract

This research article aims to: (1) study how inspiration can be cultivated among inmates at Nakhon Pathom Provincial Prison; (2) develop a Dhamma-teaching curriculum to inspire inmates at Nakhon Pathom Provincial Prison; and (3) develop instructors in Buddhist teachings to foster inspiration among inmates at Nakhon Pathom Provincial Prison. The study employed a mixed-methods approach comprising quantitative research—where the sample size was determined using Taro Yamane’s simplified sampling table, yielding 92 participants—and qualitative research through in-depth interviews with 20 stakeholders.

The findings were as follows: 1. Inmates’ offending behaviors differ across psychological, social, and behavioral dimensions; inmates commonly experience anxiety and stress. To inspire inmates, Buddhist principles were therefore applied to help reframe perspectives and ways of reasoning about life, encouraging rational thinking so as to reduce pressure, stress, and anxiety. 2.The Dhamma-teaching curriculum comprises activities aimed at enabling inmates to live in society and reduce reoffending. Implementation results showed that most participants were female (47 persons, 51%), and the largest age group was 31–40 years (34 persons, 37%). Overall, inmates’ opinions of the inspirational curriculum at Nakhon Pathom Provincial Prison were at a good level (mean = 4.12). The development of the Dhamma curriculum consists of: (1) time allocation; (2) instructional media; (3) activities; (4) processes for fostering inspiration; and (5) participant assessment and evaluation. 3.The development of Dhamma instructors focuses on understanding the prison context in order to become proficient in using activities to communicate with trainees. The development components include: (1) knowledge; (2) knowledge-transfer/teaching skills; (3) instructor qualities and attributes; and (4) principles of thinking and attitudes.