prepping for your start date
I did a lot of research before I started. I wanted to know what I was getting myself into. The way you may need to prep will differ depending on what institution you’re at. Here’s what I did:
what to purchase:
- I was told by the person that supervisors the registry employees that we should purchase a holster (for the safety button) and a belt to hold the holster and to bring it our first day. I did buy them and found out the first day that no one uses the safety button because it causes false alarms (it’s like the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up button”–so it registers when you even just bend forward). And thus, I didn’t need the belt either. Make sure you actually need these before purchasing. And if you do need them, search for what they sell at Police Officer and Duty Gear stores and then search on Amazon for them. Here is what I purchased due to reviews of people ordering for law enforcement or working in a prison. Duty Belt Accessory
- Whistle: You will likely need this. In our institution, this is our safety call sign. You will want one without the ball in it because there is no chance of the ball getting stuck and muffling the whistle. Without the ball, the sound gets louder as you blow. This one has a lanyard that breaks away when pulled firmly, so no one could use the cord to choke you. Here’s the one I found: Fox 40, Classic Official Whistle
- Badge Holder: This will hold your badge, key card/keys if you have one, and other items you might want to keep on a ring. I like this one because I wanted a clip, so I didn’t have anything around my neck. It’s got a large ring, so I can carry my portable CPR mask and other keys. And it’s good quality. Retractable Badge Holder
- Scrubs: I wish I had purchased these before starting, but I wanted to make sure that I was dressing consistent with others. The notes we got early said that medical staff needed to wear a white lab coat. This was incorrect information. And scrubs are the preferred gear though you could wear anything that feels like professional wear. You will likely be informed about certain colors you can’t wear–if there is a man down situation, you are not to drop and you don’t want to be mistaken as an inmate. At our institution those no-go colors are: orange, denim, blue, heather gray, all white, and yellow. I got mine at Scrubs and Beyond. They had more variety and better quality than I could find on Amazon. I was happy with everything I purchased there.
- Comfortable tennis shoes: You can certainly wear any professional shoe. But they do recommend wearing something you feel comfortable running in.
what to read/Listen to:
I wanted to read and listen up on what to expect. There were sparse findings about PT’s in this field, so I went towards other groups that had more to say. And I looked up the history of the prison I was going to be working at. The prison inmates also put out a newspaper and I took a look at this, as well.
- Correctional Nurse: While our duties and experiences will be different than nursing, this blog site gave me some perspective. And it also frightened me with some accounts. It actually led me to want to take self defense classes.
- Best Practice for Yoga in the Criminal Justice System: As a yoga therapist, in addition to being a PT, I felt this would be helpful to gain some perspective about best trauma-informed care, as well as what to expect.
- Physical Therapy Informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in a Correctional Facility, on the Healing Pain Podcast with Joe Tatta.
- Ear Hustle: Started in 2017, Co-founded by Bay Area artist Nigel Poor alongside Earlonne Woods and Antwan Williams — who were incarcerated at the time — the podcast now tells stories from inside prison and from the outside, post-incarceration.
other prep:
I don’t know if I’ll need it, but I did feel compelled to take some self defense classes prior to starting. And I do feel better having done so. Unfortunately, it’s not something I can keep up with due to my schedule in addition to other reasons. But I learned some skills and things to keep in mind, which I do think will help if the cause arises.
I chose this brand of jiu jitsu because they teach lessons step by step and the intention is not to grapple, but to learn the moves. These guys are awesome teachers. And you might be able to find an in-person teaching studio near you. Gracie University. And their YouTube Channel–search for “women” on their channel for some great tips for women-specific.
Once you’re prepped, you’re going to feel more comfortable for that first week. It won’t make all the nerves go away, but you won’t be going in blind.
*just to note, I’ll be leaving out the name of the institution that I work at. It’s a state prison for reference. Images are not from the prison as no devices are allowed in.
Prison PT 
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