A community committed to freedom, dignity and belonging.
Boundless Freedom Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization lighting a path to freedom through mindfulness, ethics and compassion.
All people, even those who are locked in cages, are a part of the broader human sangha. We aim to reconnect these people with community and to remind the outside world that we are all tied to one another.
Boundless Freedom Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working with people who are impacted by incarceration. We serve more than 500 incarcerated people in 15 correctional facilities across the state of California by offering Buddhist teachings, meditative movement, ethics, and mindfulness.
In response to the pandemic, we've extended our reach with our thriving online sangha and our new correspondence course. Here are some of the ways we serve:
- Donating supplies like books, Buddhas, cushions, yoga mats, and bells to inside sanghas
- Providing mentorship and community to previously incarcerated folks
- Offering emergency financial assistance to returning citizens
- Distributing our distance learning materials throughout the correctional system
- Advocating for justice reform and an end to mass incarceration
- Creating economic opportunities for people returning home from incarceration
Lighting a path to freedom by sharing mindfulness, ethics & compassion practices with people impacted by incarceration.
May we live in a just and equitable world where all beings are free.
Boundless Freedom Project believes that all people, including those locked in cages, are part of the broader human sangha. We will work towards liberation until we are all free.
Where we come from.
1997
Founded
Folsom Pathways was started by a group of Buddhist practitioners providing Buddhist services to Folsom Prison.
2003
Diane Wilde Joins
Inspired by her personal experiences with Buddhism, deep suffering, and having an incarcerated child, Diane Wilde began teaching Buddhism inside Folsom Prison with Folsom Pathways.
2004
New Leadership
Diane Wilde officially took over Folsom Pathways and began expanding program offerings into correctional facilities throughout the state of California.
2012
Buddhist Pathways Prison Project
Diane Wilde and other founding members incorporated Folsom Pathways as a nonprofit called Buddhist Pathways Prison Project. Growth and expansion continued across the state of California.
2020
BP3 Becomes Boundless Freedom Project
BP3 rebranded as Boundless Freedom Project in an effort to be more inclusive. We felt there is a middle path between maintaining the foundation of Buddhism while also including non-religious programming.
2025
Youth, Reentry & Digital
Boundless Freedom Project adds Youth Mindfulness practices, launches Reentry Programming, and goes digital with Edovo. The org undergoes a structural redesign, and Diane Wilde transitions out.
People affected by incarceration are underserved and they equally benefit from the practices and tools that have changed our lives and the lives of so many practitioners.
We continue to expand and develop our offerings of Buddhist services and mindfulness programs both for our sanghas inside correctional facilities and in support of returning citizens. We share meditation, mindfulness and movement practices, encourage healing and creativity, co-create safe and inclusive communities (sanghas), advocate for decarceration, and support artists, Buddhists, change agents, dharma practitioners, meditators, teachers, and movement facilitators interested in working in the correctional system!
Representation & Humanizing Language
Representation
Boundless Freedom Project is committed to making this organization reflective of the populations we serve. Therefore, we have made a conscious effort to include the voices of those directly impacted by incarceration at all levels of the organization. We have directly impacted individuals on our board, staff and volunteer base. We recognize incarceration impacts certain communities and parts of our population more than others and we strive to represent those most impacted.
Humanizing Language
At Boundless Freedom Project we are committed to using humanizing language. This means we do not use words such as inmates, convict, prisoner, ex-con, felon, etc. to describe the people we work with. Instead we use people-first language and use words like people, brother, sister, friend, community member, person experiencing incarceration, person living inside correctional facilities, sangha member, formerly incarcerated person, etc. We believe our words have power and hold the possibility to humanize and affirm our inherent dignity. Learn more about humanizing language here
Six values, one path.
01
Compassion
We meet every person with kindness, presence and care.
02
Dignity
We honor the humanity of every person, without exception.
03
Interconnection
We recognize that our liberation is tied together.
04
Equity
We work to address injustice and center those most impacted.
05
Practice
We ground our work in mindfulness, ethics and reflection.
06
Transformation
We believe healing and accountability can coexist and grow.
The people behind the work.
Our leadership includes staff, board members, advisors, teaching council and program leaders. We do not invent names or biographies.
Leadership profiles will appear here once approved. We do not publish names or biographies without organizational approval.