Did you know that one-on-one therapy is almost non-existent in Pennsylvania prisons?

Last year, Let’s Get Free launched Virtual Healing, a program that connects therapists with people in Pennsylvania prisons who seek emotional and mental health care. This one-of-a-kind program currently provides free-of-charge, top-notch, healing support to people in PA prisons through one-on-one video visits.

This year, we are raising $12,000 to enable us to bring on more therapists, serve more people in prison, and help support a part-time coordinator. The Department of Corrections (DOC) does not sanction, facilitate, or fund this program. (However, it's legal—utilizing regular visiting processes.) We rely on contributions from individuals who care about the mental and emotional health of people who have been incarcerated.

If you are reading this, you already know the barriers to maintaining good health in prison are immense. It’s much worse for mental health. While people can request a one on one visit with the state therapist it isn't like we think of therapy on the outside, with regular consistent care over a period of time. The DOC knows about punishment. The limited care provided is not trusted by people because at the end of the day, staff works for the prison and report to prison officials.

The need for Virtual Healing keeps growing. We get more and more requests for Virtual Healing video visits every day.

Testimony from some of our participants:

“I am thankful that there are people like you and your organization providing these programs. The mental health system in these DOCs is no good. To me, it seems that besides one's identity being a number, if one has mental health issues, you just become paperwork and they are fast to prescribe medication.”

“My therapist challenged me when I needed it instead of placating me. They were effective & not cupcake challenges. She allowed me to lead the discussion at times but interjected when needed for questioning or clarification. I had an emotional graduation day. If not for her, I may not have graduated from 3 classes.”

“For the first time in my 60-year life, at the age of 59, I began having a therapist...if I can put all of the sessions with my therapist in one word, it would be *completion*. That is the best way that I can describe how I felt after each session, and I had many...”

“This is very helpful, especially when you don’t trust the psyches at the prison.”

“When my first session began, I felt very comfortable and relaxed as if I was in her office with her. This is the one thing that was missing. I grew up while enclosing the memories of my past experiences of trauma from my history or abuse and my crime. I began releasing this mess that had a hold on me. I am free inside. My life is worth living. My past is gone, my present is here, and my future is ahead. I'm always learning, growing, changing, and standing. The sky's the limit to my achievements. “

Learn more about four of our Eight Healers, featured in this video:

Dana Daugherty , EdM, LPC

Liana Maneese , LPC, NCC, MA

Lizzie Anderson , LSCW, CD (DONA)

Iresha Picot , M.Ed, LBS

Some Mental Health Resources for People in Prison

Virtual Healing is a program of Let’s Get Free The Women & Trans Prisoner Defense and this program prioritizes women and trans prisoners though we we do also serve some men. It’s a natural extension of Let’s Get Free’s work of connecting with people in prison through campaigns, commutation support , creative practice , guaranteed basic income , resources and more.

If you are a mental health worker and are interested in getting involved contact: [email redacted]o