Lifting weights:

Some prisons are removing weights and workout equipment on the yards. Protective yards are removing all weights. Is it because of the size that some of these men can get or the inmates use as them as weapons? Many prisons have weights chained to the ground.  Not have the weights can cause issues.

Your health:

Over all health is greatly improved by working out and lifting weights. In men the testosterone the hormone GH  level rise. Making frustration levels decrease. You sleep better and you’re happier after working out. The beta-hormone aids in increasing moods and feelings of well being. You’re less likely to get into fights or want to start them when you feel better and more confident.

Mental health:

When you lift weights you increase certain hormones and endorphins. When those endorphins and hormones are released you’re maintaining mental health. Anxiety, depression and negative moods decrease from working out/lifting weights. When you’re in a bad mood you are likely looking for or ready for a fight. Sometimes just to get those hormones and endorphin levels up will decrease those urges.  Prison is not the safest place to have those feelings and urges. Working out can improve self-esteem,  confidence, enhances cognitive function and depletes energy. It also increases your ability to concentrate and improves your impulsive behavior.  Controlling your impulsive behavior in prison is important to staying safe and out of trouble.

Choices:

Inmates have limited choices and limited ability to deal with anger issues, depression, and frustration. In prison when you’re depressed the prison likes to give medications. Those medications are the first choice on the inside.  Those medications have side  effects, may not work,  and harm your organs. You can become over medicated or under medicated causing more frustration and anger. Out in the real world you have more choices. You can change your diet, get counseling, join a gym and so on.

Solutions:

There are always solutions to problems. Sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture. The bigger picture in this case is having angry, frustrated men walking around on edge all the time or chaining  the weights to the ground. Offering counseling on a regular basis and not so medication would alleviate some of the problems.  Mediation and natural consequences are ways for inmates to settle their differences without violence. People have to be creative to find solutions.

Share your thoughts and solutions with me.