Prison PT

inmate perspective #1

home by christmas

He was incarcerated before he was 20. He’s now in his late 40’s. Up for parole this year.

I don’t know what he did to get himself in here, but I’m rooting for him.

He does admit, he used to be “evil.”

He arrives today, appearing a little down. He continues to share. He’s really feeling other peoples pain. He shares about his friends family that has to decide to pull the plug on their sons life because it’s apparent he might not pull through. And he’s sad about the NFL player that got injured yesterday.

He says he never used to be like this. He just never cared what happened to other people. But he’s changed since being locked up.

He’s not used to this side of himself yet. He’s questioning why he keeps getting all teared up at watching someone’s struggle on the news. I offer up that he likely wasn’t brought up to think that a man could be sensitive and emotional. “I think you’re right,” he said. I offered, that it’s human to be empathetic and what he’s feeling is normal.

I ask if he’s a different person than the one that entered here. A silent head nod. Then, “absolutely.”

He’s also hoping that he’ll be able to really celebrate Christmas this next year with his family. His first Christmas in 30 years.

I’m really rooting for him. And yes, I do wonder if I would feel differently if he had harmed someone I care about. The short answer….I’m not sure.

*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.

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caring for the incarcerated

Prison PT

I’ve been a physical therapist (PT) for 19 years. Worked in all different settings: Acute care, inpatient rehab, home health, hospice care, outpatient clinic, telehealth, and I’ve run my own concierge practice. As a yoga therapist and PT I’ve been able to help those see a new perspective around their pain. Not to expect a pain-free life, but to relish a life that exists in the presence of pain—because we will all experience it at some point.  But now, I’ve chosen a new path. I wanted to serve the underserved, and I wanted something unique. Working at a prison was not something I thought possible. But it is. There are a small world of PT’s doing just that. But if you search out there to find information on the experience, you won’t find much. I found several sites about nursing for the incarcerated, but the PT landscape was bleak.  So, it’s with this intention that I began to share the stories here. A source to inform those who are curious and have questions and provide them a place to land. Please share if you know someone who might be interested.
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