The retreat program at FCC Coleman (medium) was one of a kind in the country. This started in 1999 as a six-hour retreat and grew to three, five-day retreats completed in the year 2002. Thirty-five to sixty inmates sat each retreat in 2002. Guests at these retreats included March 2002: Bhante Vismala (Vipassana Monk), July 2002: Father Thomas Keating (Cistercian monk and abbot of St. Benedict's monastery) and October 2002: Drupon Rinpoche (Drikung Kagyu retreat master).

The groups included African Americans, Native Americans, Latin Americans, and European Americans. There were representatives from many spiritual traditions, including Buddhism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Protestant Christianity, Native American Spirituality, Rastafarianism, and others. Think about the implications of putting such a mixture into a room for three days at 13 hours a day without speaking and no burden on the institution of added supervision. Then put them on a mat for about 9 hours a day and have them focus on a spot 3 to 5 feet in front of them. They came out as brothers and friends.

On the surface these retreats may not seem very important, but on many levels they are potent vehicles for change. Individual retreats can initiate this change, especially when combined with a consistent and regularly-scheduled program. The most significant changes can be seen with respect to self-discipline and impulse control. Sitting through both physical and emotional pain without reacting is a new skill to many of the participants. The ability to sit is one thing, but the willingness to sit and subject themselves to such self-discipline can result in some important discoveries. Some met themselves as individuals and were not so sure they liked what they found. My sense is that such experiences need to find a forum that will motivate others to attempt like programs.

This forum was established to some degree via the writing component of the program, created for those inmates that are willing to express their thoughts on the program with or without attribution. The writings are based on some of the comments that came out of the Zen Circle at the end of the retreat which were thought-provoking and emotional. The hope was that including those that wanted to expand on those thoughts would not only motivate others to initiate such programs but create a favorable impression on institutions that might not otherwise be inclined to support such activities.

In part, the value of the program was acknowledged by FCC Coleman at the volunteer banquet. KC Walpole was recognized with a plaque that reads: Volunteer of the Year 2001, For your dedication and commitment to the Volunteer Program at Federal Correctional Complex, Coleman, Florida. Unfortunately, the Coleman Program was cancelled by the prison when the administration underwent drastic changeover, partially due to the fallout of the 9/11 crisis.