In mid-July, The Uplands welcomed back fifteen mental health counselors working under PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) for their second retreat.

PREA is a federal act that analyzes the incidence and effects of prison rape and provides information and resources to protect incarcerated individuals from sexual violence. A major aspect of PREA’s work in New York is to provide therapeutic care to those who have experienced sexual violence while incarcerated. Additionally, PREA offers trainings for prison staff to help reduce incidences of sexual violence, advocates for changes in institutional practices, and deals with incidences from a trauma-informed lens.

This retreat group included counselors from various rape crisis organizations all over NY state working under the PREA umbrella. They don’t often get a chance to come together in person, so the group embraced this opportunity to be together in a focused, intentional way. Their time at Uplands included several professional development sessions covering topics such as legal advocacy training, modalities for trauma treatment, and cultural competency. Between work sessions, the group enjoyed several uplands-led activities incluidng a sound bath in the yoga studio, a sensory awareness meditation under the shade of the cherry grove, a restorative yoga class, and guided nature walks.

PREA’s team left with a deeper connection to one another and their shared work. We thank them for the critical services they offer to an often-overlooked population.