By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) in Washington DC, whose rehab programs have mostly failed to help the city’s most dangerous youth, is now looking to yoga and possibly tai-chi to help their troubled inmates.
The Washington Examiner is reporting that Barry Holman, the interim deputy director of the DYRS, is looking for an instructor certified in yoga, tai-chi or some other “mind-body connection discipline” who might be able to help the young people in the agency’s care.
Last year, more than a dozen of the agency’s wards were charged with murder, and at least a half dozen were killed. City officials are blaming the department’s heavy focus on rehabilitation for the soaring violence, and have fired several directors in recent months.
Thus far, Holman told The Examiner that he’s received several responses since sending out the Dec. 29 e-mail, but none from anyone who can teach the “mind-body” techniques he’s looking for. He made no comment about the conflict of introducing yoga or tai-chi, which are both based in religion, to a city-run program.
While he has not found the instructor he’s searching for, he did hear from a race car driver who suggested the youth build a race car, musicians and a certified boxing instructor.
DC City Councilman Jim Graham questioned the wisdom of turning to yoga for the problems the youth face in this troubled agency.
“Anything that would contribute to well-being I am in favor of,” Graham said. “But I’m much more concerned about having programs that address alcohol and substance abuse that will help turn these kids’ lives around.”
Holman is continuing the search for someone to teach the “mind-body” programs he’s looking for. He told The Examiner his plans are still in the early stages and he hasn’t committed any resources. “We’re always looking at expanding our offerings,” he said. “The benefits of yoga or tai-chi are no different for youth in a correction facility than for anyone else.”
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