Correctional Facilities

Who is being served?

Male veterans who are serving time for substance abuse and domestic violence at San Francisco’s County Jail #5 (located in San Bruno, CA). iRest is being offered as part of the COVER program (Community of Veterans Engaged in Restoration) which addresses the unique needs of veterans in the criminal justice system.

What are the needs that iRest addresses within this population?

  • PTSD
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety and Insomnia
  • Recovery from Substance Abuse
  • Pain Management due to Combat Injuries
  • Feelings of Powerlessness
  • Depression

What makes iRest appropriate and effective for this population?

  • The iRest protocol teaches a variety of meditation skills that are helpful in promoting relaxation, providing stress relief, addressing issues of emotional conflict and promoting self-esteem.
  • iRest is a useful tool for exploring and welcoming difficult emotions from a compassionate perspective. By exploring opposites of emotion and self-limiting beliefs, one can learn to dis-identify with the source of suffering. This enables the potentiality of responding to situations rather than reacting and encourages a greater capacity for healthy and constructive choices.
  • Body sensing and breathing techniques are part of the iRest protocol and are highly useful in the relief of pain reduction, anxiety and insomnia.
  • The iRest protocol includes an effective method of addressing the effects of trauma by establishing an “Inner Resource” which provides a sense of security and ease that can be accessed at anytime.
  • In times of hopelessness and self-doubt, iRest can inspire an expanded vision of one’s capabilities and potential.
  • iRest assists in finding a place of inner peace and well being that can be accessed throughout one’s daily life regardless of circumstance.

What have people within this population said about their experience with iRest?

Click here to read a firsthand testimonial of the value of iRest written by a male veteran at the San Bruno County Jail.