Virtual Reality Opens New Worlds for Inmates, Preparing Them for Life After Prison

Jacob Smith has spent two decades behind bars, but recently found himself wandering through the vibrant streets of Bangkok without ever leaving prison grounds.

“I went to Thailand, man!” Smith recalled with a grin, describing his first experience with a virtual reality headset that transported him from Valley State Prison near Fresno to the lush landscapes and bustling markets of Southeast Asia.

Smith is one of many California inmates participating in an innovative program run by Los Angeles-based nonprofit Creative Acts. The organization is bringing VR technology to correctional facilities with dual purposes: providing prisoners a momentary mental escape and preparing them for real-world scenarios they’ll face upon release.

During a weeklong session last month, incarcerated men sat on metal folding chairs in a common area, their faces transforming with wonder as they donned the headsets. Some toured global destinations, while others practiced for job interviews, sitting across virtual desks from both easy-going and demanding interviewers.

“For a lot of us, the workforce has changed and things are different with the application process,” said Smith, who becomes eligible for parole in 2031 and now volunteers helping fellow inmates navigate the VR experience. “It’s a nerve-wracking experience going to sit in front of somebody and telling them why I’m good for the job.”

The program’s significance extends beyond temporary escapism. After each session, volunteers help participants process emotions or traumas triggered during their virtual experiences. Sabra Williams, founder of Creative Acts, has dubbed the VR devices a “hope machine.”

Williams developed the concept after running prison arts projects incorporating theater, music, and other creative outlets. When former inmates shared their struggles with adapting to technology advancements that occurred during their incarceration – simple things like self-service gas pumps, supermarket checkout systems, or ATM transactions – she recognized a critical gap in rehabilitation.

“What I hear from them is that it made them feel like they didn’t belong, and that they only belong in prison,” Williams explained.

Her team initially sourced footage from YouTube to recreate everyday activities, but quickly moved to creating original videos focusing on travel, civic engagement, conflict resolution, art, and meditation – content designed to both inspire and educate.

Nancy La Vigne, dean of Rutgers-Newark School of Criminal Justice in New Jersey, believes such technology could play a crucial role in rehabilitation and reintegration. She envisions people who’ve been disconnected from society using VR to practice navigating government offices or public transportation systems.

Research supports additional benefits of the technology. Studies published by the American Psychological Association found that incarcerated people who viewed short nature videos showed reduced aggression levels and fewer disciplinary issues.

However, La Vigne acknowledges practical concerns about implementation, including cost barriers and potential inequities in access. “You can’t just hand them out or sell them at commissary,” she noted.

Richard Richard, a former inmate who first experienced the program six years ago, has since been released and returned as a Creative Acts volunteer. He marvels at the technology’s advancement and values watching fellow inmates’ progress as they work through emotional issues.

“You may physically be here, but mentally, spiritually you can actually transcend this environment,” Richard said.

The program currently operates three times yearly at four California prisons, using 100 Oculus headsets donated by Meta. Sessions are available to general population inmates, those in solitary confinement, and youth offenders. Williams hopes to expand the initiative throughout California and eventually nationwide.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has endorsed the approach, stating that it “welcomes innovative approaches that help keep our communities safe.” When introducing VR at California Men’s Colony prison last August, the department noted the technology’s potential “to heal trauma, regulate emotional response, and prepare for a safe, successful reentry into society.”

For many participants, even the brief introductory experience – a two-minute virtual trip to Thailand – proves profoundly emotional, especially for those who have never traveled.

“So many times people would take off the headsets and they’d be crying,” Williams said. “Because they’d be like, ‘I never knew the world was so beautiful.'”