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BackgroundWe examined the experiences of incarcerated adolescent males (N = 29) who participated in a one‐day meditation retreat and 10‐week meditation programme. Method Self‐report surveys assessing mindfulness, self‐regulation, impulsivity and stress; behavioural assessments; and focus group data were examined. Results We observed significantly higher scores in self‐regulation (p = .012) and psychometric markers demonstrated psychological enhancement. No behavioural change was observed. Six themes emerged: enhanced well‐being, increased self‐discipline, increased social cohesiveness, expanded self‐awareness, resistance to meditation and future meditation practice. Conclusions Early evidence suggests that meditation training for incarcerated youth is a feasible and promising intervention.

Background: This study investigated the experience of 23 incarcerated male adolescents who participated in an adapted 10‐week mindfulness‐based intervention.Method: Participants completed semi‐structured interviews immediately following the final class of the treatment intervention. A six‐step thematic content analysis was used to identify major themes from the transcribed semi‐structured interviews. Results: Four major clusters of themes were identified: increase in subjective well‐being, increase in self‐regulation, increase in awareness, and accepting attitude toward the treatment intervention. Conclusion: Results suggest that adapted mindfulness‐based interventions are feasible as treatments for incarcerated youth and have promising potential. Clinical implications are discussed.