The TV series Orange is the New Black gives a hilarious and disturbing example of how breathing techniques today are instrumentalized by a corporate performance pressure mindset. In season 4, episode one, Litchfield prison, the setting of Orange is the New Black, has been taken over by the private corporation MCC. Part of MCC‘s measures to increase the profit margins of their share holders is to double the prison population and installing four beds to a bunk instead of two. (Previously, funds for the prison were embezzled for a political career; this was still considered illegal.) In the first assembly of all the prisoners in the prison chapel, the prison ward, re-labelled „Director of Human Activity“, Mr Caputo, gives a corporate lingo speech, selling the installation of outdoor toilets as a courtesy and cheerily offering the customary freebie: in this case a set of earplugs. A breathing technique exercise is supposed to help the inmates manage their stress levels in the overcrowded conditions. The new Captain of the Guards from a maximum security prison, Mr Piscatella, instructs the inmates to breathe in on the count of five etc which doesn‘t go down well…
“Tasty: Caputo!
Caputo: Morning, ladies. For those of you who don’t know, I am Mr.Caputo, and I am the Director of Human Activity here at Litchfield. This is CO Piscatella. I have asked him to stay on here at camp as our new Captain of the Guards…. It’s my old job.
Poussey: Judy King!
Inmate voice: Judy!
Caputo: So things have gotten a little crowded around here, huh? We at MCC are aware that new situations can be trying for you ladies. So we called this meeting to let you know of the measures we’re taking for your comfort and safety. For instance, porta-potties have been installed out in the yard to take some of the strain from the bathrooms.
De Marco: We gotta shit outside now?
Caputo: Side note, porta-potty maintenance will be an additional responsibility for our janitorial jobs crew.
Tasty: Hell, no!
Crazy eyes: Yes!
Sankey: We gonna get jobs?
Caputo: Job assignments for new inmates is still under review. We’ll get to that at a future time. MCC realizes it can be challenging living with this many people.
But we thought ahead. And today, on your way out, each of
you will receive a free pair of earplugs.
Mendoza: You’re kidding me, right?
Inmate voice: Oh, man!
Poussey: Judy King!
Caputo: You just pop these babies in, lie back in your bunk, and it’s like you’re on a desert island.
Ingalls: Where is Sophia Burset? Where is she?
Inmate voice: That’s some bullshit, Caputo.
Caputo: We also have a plan in place for stress management in these transitional times. Breathing exercises. Calm you right down. CO Piscatella, please.
Piscatella: Okay, so we are going to inhale on a count of five, hold it for five, then exhale on a count of five, okay? Repeat after me.
(Piscatella demonstrates. Derogatory reactions in the audience. Piscatella blows a horn.)
Yoga Jones: Jesus Christ! Whoa! He couldn’t have passed out the earplugs first!
Piscatella: I’m sorry, did that sound in any way optional? Because it could save your life one day.
Now inhale!”
Source:https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/view_episode_scripts.php?tv-show=orange-is-the-new-black&episode=s04e02