Pennsylvania's Innovative Program Aids Prisoners with Developmental Disabilities

A specialized unit at Albion's State Correctional Institution provides tailored support and therapy, offering a new approach to rehabilitation.

The Neurodevelopmental Residential Treatment Unit in Albion, Pennsylvania, is designed to cater to prisoners with autism and similar disabilities, providing a more supportive and less overwhelming environment.
Staff at the unit focus on individual treatment, offering activities like puzzle-solving, yoga, and art to help inmates cope with sensory overstimulation.
Inmates in the program report feeling safer and more capable of developing social skills and independence, crucial for their reintegration into society after release.
Critics argue for the expansion of such specialized units, citing the lack of adequate accommodations for prisoners with disabilities across the U.S.
The program includes regular training for corrections officers on de-escalation and crisis intervention, aiming to create a secure yet accommodating environment.