Recreation Therapy

Olympus Inpatient Mental Health &

Level 2 Inmates
Presented by Hayley Leishman

Presentation Goals:
Increase understanding of what
recreation therapy is.
Explore potential of the recreation
therapy program within the context
level 2 inmates.
To INSPIRE!

Overview of Presentation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What is Recreation Therapy

Needs of Level 2 Inmates (Maximum Security)
Innovative Evidence Based Programs
Analysis of Recreation Therapy at Olympus
Concluding Thoughts

What is Recreation Therapy?

ATRA Definition:
Recreational therapy, also known as
therapeutic recreation, is a systematic
process that utilizes recreation and other
activity-based interventions to address the
assessed needs of individuals with illnesses
and/or disabling conditions, as a means to
psychological and physical health, recovery
and well-being.

(ATRA, 2015)

Recreation Therapy is a Systematic Process

Assessment
Planning
Implementation
Evaluation
Documentation

(Carter, 2011, p. 112)

Recreation Therapy Assesses and Treats Individuals

According to 4 Domains:

SOCIAL

-Exercise
PHYSICAL
-Hygiene

COGNITIVE

EMOTIONAL

(Carter, 2011, p. 114)

Needs of Level 2 Inmates

SOCIAL
-Interaction
-Skills Development

PHYSICAL
-Exercise
-Relaxation Techniques
-Activities of Daily
Living

COGNITIVE
-Stimulation

EMOTIONAL
-Coping Skills
-Emotion Regulation
-Self Esteem

(Lengfelder, p. 14)

Delta Music Group

2 groups, 5 inmates each, 1x a week. Each
group was seen every other week.
State Hospital in Texas - Music Program
Social = Interaction, group collaboration
Physical = Movement, used hands and body
to create sounds and rhythms.
Emotional = Inmates reported to us that it
was relaxing, others said it was a stress
release.
Cognitive = Optimally challenging! Learned
rhythms, created own rhythms.
(Fulford, p. 112)

Innovative Programs

The Beat of Life and Redemption Songs

The Prison Yoga Project
Prison Reading Groups
Prison Mindfulness Institute
Nature Imagery Project & The Blue Room

Prison Mindfulness Institute

Nonprofit organization
Provides an inexpensive pathway for
training = Path of Freedom
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Research
Easy to implement

(Samuelson, pp. 263-264)

The Prison Mindfulness Institute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA8XFEyeMi8


The greatest discovery of my
generation is that a human being
can alter his life by altering his
attitudes of mind.
~William James

Nature Imagery Project & The Blue Room

Nalini Nadkarni, Biologist University of Utah,
other programs within the UDC
Several prisons in the Northwest
Based on evidence that suggests exposure
to nature and nature imagery reduces stress,
anxiety, and aggression.

(Nature In Prisons, 2015)

Nature Imagery Project and The Blue Room

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HfK1ngpbGM

Analysis of Recreation Therapy at Olympus

Recreation Therapy Program Strengths

Talented and Dedicated Recreation Therapists

Supportive Staff
Rapport with Inmates
Variety and Depth of Programming
Intern Program

Analysis of Recreation Therapy at Olympus

Recreation Therapy Program Opportunities

Assessment Process
Treatment Plans
Evaluation Process
Accountability

Concluding Thoughts...
With the new initiatives in level 2
management, recreation therapy is
positioned to fulfill an important role.
Recreation therapy for these inmates can
address a variety of needs in all functional
domains, resulting in specific and goal
directed outcomes.
Recreation therapists are trained to identify
and mitigate risks.
Olympus to become industry leader.


Nothing limits achievement like
small thinking; nothing expands
possibilities like unleashed
imagination.
~William Arthur Ward

This internship has

been an incredible
opportunity.

Thank You!

References
American Therapeutic Recreation Association. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2015, from
https://www.atra-online.com/
Carter, M., & Andel, G. (2011). Therapeutic recreation: A practical approach (4th ed.). Long
Grove, Ill.: Waveland Press.
Fulford, M. (2002). Overview of a Music Therapy Program at a Maximum Security Unit of a
State Psychiatric Facility. Music Therapy Perspectives, 112-116.
Lengfelder, J., Slater, J., & Groves, D. (1992). Coping Strategies of Prison Inmates in
Correctional Institutions. pp. 13-26. Retrieved August 24, 2015, from http://www.jstor.
org/stable/41421017?seq1&cid=pdf-reference#references_tab_contents
Nature In Prisons. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2015, from http://bioweb.biology.utah.
edu/nadkarni/ResearchDescription/Research.html
Prison Mindfulness Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2015, from http:
//prisonmindfulness.org/
Samuelson, M., Carmody, J., Kabat-Zinn, J., & Bratt, M. (2007). Mindfulness-Based Stress
Reduction in Massachusetts Correctional Facilities. The Prison Journal, 254-268.
Retrieved December 9, 2015, from http://tpj.sagepub.com