Occupational therapy can provide services in many different areas within the prison system. From providing transitional services to inmates getting ready to be released, to focusing on occupational deprivation, to leading groups for an infinite number of topics.  This episode features Ariana Gonzalez, an occupational therapist, executive director, and founder of Life After Incarceration: Transition & Reentry (LAITR), an occupational therapy community-based program focused on reentry for individuals after incarceration.

To learn more about Ariana Gonzalez and LAITR visit https://www.lifeafterincarceration.com/

References 

Criminal justice data. The Sentencing Project. (2023, January 25). Retrieved July 29, 2023, from https://www.sentencingproject.org/research/us-criminal-justice-data/

Dillon, M. B., Dillon, T. H., Griffiths, T., Prusnek, L., & Tippie, M. (2020). The distinct value of occupational therapy in corrections: Implementation of a life skills program in a county jail. Annals of International Occupational Therapy, 3(4), 185. https://doi.org/10.3928/24761222-20200309-01

Gonzalez, A., & Tyminski, Q. (2020). Sleep deprivation in an American homeless population. Sleep Health: Journal of the National Sleep Foundation, 6(4), 489–494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2020.01.002

Jaegers, L. A., Dieleman, C., Dillon, M. B., Rogers, S., Muñoz, J. P., & Barney, K. F. (2020). Justice-based occupational therapy initiative: Advancing occupational justice in criminal justice systems. Annals of International Occupational Therapy, 3(4), 200+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A676585517/AONE?u=mlin_m_regis&sid=ebsco&xid=ed5dd4db

Muñoz, J. P., Moreton, E. M., & Sitterly, A. M. (2016). The scope of practice of occupational therapy in U.S. criminal justice settings. Occupational Therapy International, 23(3), 241–254. https://doi.org/10.1002/oti.1427

Tucker, S. (2020). Access to OT in the prison system: Assessing attitudes of OT students and practitioners...2020 American occupational therapy association annual conference & expo. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Sup1), 1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S1-PO1510

Tyminski, Q., Gonzalez, A., & Synovec, C. E. (2020). The importance of health management and maintenance occupations while homeless: A case study. Work, 65(2), 297–301. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-203081

Special thanks to Parker Sheridan for the background research!