perspective from the row

Apr 6, 2025

listen for yourselves

This one’s a short one. It’s an offer to listen to the voices from “The Row.” The Ear Hustle Podcast recently interviewed 4 individuals who received re-sentencing on their cases. They were released from Death Row where some had spent 30 to 40+ years. They now live on the mainline at the prison.

I was especially curious since I’ve worked with 3 of the 4 individuals. They each shared experiences with me, from their time on Death Row, that they did not share in this interview. But I also learned something from each of them by listening to this.

And I must admit I was in tears by the end. I self reflected on where that sadness came from.

I felt sadness that we keep people in small isolating cages years after their crimes…years after they have evolved from the person that committed that crime. I do, however, believe that some people deserve to be locked away for the safety of the public. There are some who are beyond rehabilitation. To note, I don’t know the crimes of any of the individuals.

I felt sadness for the lost livelihood of their victims and the forever pain and heartbreak of their victims families.

I felt sadness for the lost lives of these inmates who lost their innocence and their joy.

I felt sadness about the small joys that we take for granted– feeling grass under our feet or the rain on our skin. I was touched by the gratitude that one can still feel in their given situation.

I wrote about one of my encounters with one of these individuals in Inmate Perspective #11. And you can read about my visit to The Row the day that it closed.

Check out the podcast HERE. Listen to their perspective on their transition off Death Row and a last visit to their old cells.

I’d love to know your perspectives on anything presented.

*just to note. Images are not from the prison as no devices are allowed in.

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.

Prison PT