Josefin Wikström’s Journey: Addressing Social Injustice and Trauma in Prisons

Josefin Wikström is Prison Yoga Project’s (PYP) Program Director and Training Coordinator for Europe. Based in Sweden, she teaches yoga and movement in high-security women’s and men’s prisons, as well as in forensic psychiatry units. With an extensive background in trauma therapy, she is an E-RYT 500 and YACEP-certified yoga instructor who has been working full-time with trauma-exposed populations since 2003. Since joining PYP in 2016, Josefin has led teacher trainings across Europe, the U.S., Mexico, and India. Her work, grounded in trauma-informed yoga, is making a transformative impact on both incarcerated individuals and the broader prison system.

This summer, Josefin’s commitment to social justice and trauma-informed care took her on a journey across Europe, where she shared her expertise with prison staff, healthcare professionals, and facilitators working in correctional settings. Through presentations, training sessions, and direct work with people impacted by incarceration, Josefin continues to advance the integration of yoga therapy in prisons, addressing the deep-rooted issues of trauma and mental health in these environments.

Advocating for Trauma-Informed Practices in European Prisons

In June, Josefin Wikström represented Prison Yoga Project as a featured speaker at Masters Events at Oxford, Europe’s largest trauma, mental health, and wellbeing conference. This annual event is a major gathering for professionals dedicated to advancing practices in mental health and trauma care. Josefin’s presentation emphasized the urgent need to address social injustice within the prison system, advocating for trauma-informed practices that benefit both incarcerated individuals and prison staff.

Drawing from her extensive experience in high-security prisons, Josefin discussed the profound effects of trauma in incarcerated populations and how practices like yoga can promote self-regulation,supporting individuals in rebuilding a sense of self-worth. She shared compelling insights into the transformative impact of holistic approaches, demonstrating how trauma-informed practices create essential opportunities for healing—not just for individuals but within the prison system itself. By challenging punitive structures, these practices offer a path to reduce harm and foster a more compassionate, just environment.

Josefin’s work with Prison Yoga Project continues to inspire change, providing a hopeful vision of what a humane and equitable prison system could look like. Her dedication to trauma-informed approaches stands as a beacon for justice reform, sparking conversations and initiatives across Europe and beyond.

Yoga Therapy at Wormwood Scrubs: A Case Study in Healing

One of Josefin’s key stops this summer was at Wormwood Scrubs, a historic prison in London, where she met with healthcare professionals to discuss the role of trauma-informed yoga in treating severe mental health issues in incarcerated populations. Equipped with decades of experience and evidence-based research, Josefin presented the benefits of yoga as a complementary treatment for conditions such as schizophrenia, psychosis, and severe PTSD.

The healthcare staff at Wormwood Scrubs were astounded by the potential that yoga therapy offers in treating these complex mental health issues. Many were unaware of the depth of research supporting the use of yoga for trauma and mental health, but they left the presentation eager to learn more. Josefin’s visit reinforced the idea that trauma-informed yoga can be an essential tool for mental health care in prisons, helping to bridge gaps in treatment for those most in need.

Expanding Trauma-Informed Training Programs in France

Josefin also continued her work in France, where she has been leading trauma-informed yoga trainings for yoga facilitators for the past five years. Her most recent training, held in Lyon, was fully booked and represented a growing interest in the integration of trauma-informed care in the French prison system.

Josefin’s work in France and beyond has been pivotal, focusing on equipping facilitators with the tools to address the complex needs of trauma survivors in correctional settings. Programs across the country continue to expand, offering more opportunities for facilitators. Josefin’s presence in France signals an ongoing commitment to deepening the understanding of trauma and fostering change within the prison system!

A Vision for Healing and Change

Josefin Wikström’s travels this summer underscore her unwavering dedication to addressing the deep-rooted issues of trauma and social injustice within the prison system. From Europe to Mexico, her work continues to bridge the gap between mental health care and holistic healing, offering hope for a future where people impacted by incarceration, substance use issues, and trauma are met with compassion.

As she continues to lead trainings, work with prison staff, and directly impact the lives of incarcerated individuals, Josefin’s journey is a powerful reminder that healing is possible even in the most challenging environments. Her work with Prison Yoga Project is transforming lives, reshaping the prison system, and offering a vision of hope and justice that the world so desperately needs.