By C1 Staff
ONTARIO — After seeing a TED talk, a corrections officer pitched an idea to help inmates with mental and behavioral problems.
That idea, the Blue Room, is now being hailed as one of the best inventions of 2014, according to KTVB.
The room allows inmates with issues like PTSD, anxiety and depression to choose from a selection of nature videos. Scientists at the University of Utah believe watching such imagery could help reduce stress, violence and anxiety.
“We’re teaching them how to self-soothe, we’re teaching them how to calm themselves,” said Behavioral Health Services Manager Renee Smith. “We’re teaching them that there’s a resource out there when they get out that they can actually utilize to help them self-soothe.”
So far, inmates have enjoyed spending time in the Blue Room, and others have asked to be moved into the unit. Staff also like the new tool that the room provides.
“If they identify an inmate in crisis in the unit, an inmate that’s acting out and the staff members think that some time in the blue room to calm them down would help them, then they have the ability to put them there,” said Capt. Randy Gilbertson.
This is the first time this has been done in the country, and Smith is excited to try the Blue Room in toher units.
“I have a desire to spread this because it’s working across the country,” she said. “I think it’s a phenomenal resource for a very low cost and it’s a win for staff and it’s a win for inmates.”