12/06/2025
When dealing with trauma in general, studies show that over half of children and adolescents who have posttraumatic stress disorder go on to experience substance abuse problems. This correlation may indicate why women in prison are more likely than men to be there for drug-related, non-violent offenses. In fact, more than half of women in prisons are incarcerated for drug-related offenses. Women also deal with a greater number of mental health issues in prison than men.
Yet, instead of looking into the root causes of addiction and mental health problems, which often mask a history of abuse or trauma, society instead locks women up and tears families apart. From pat-downs and strip searches, to threats of violence and solitary confinement, the conditions of incarceration that women must face only adds an additional layer of new traumas upon preexisting, latent traumas. Source: The Regulatory Review
Dance To Be Free’s mission is to radically improve the lives of incarcerated people through the healing power of dance. Through our Trauma Informed Dance Teacher Training, we use “Cathartic Choreography” combined with leadership skills – to empower our graduates to conduct peer to peer programming within the prison. Throughout this transformative experience, we teach the nuts and bolts of choreography, pro social skills and group dynamics. 💛💛💛
“I went from 8 medications down to 1.” ~Mary Doflemire, LVCF
The majority of women in prison are holding untreated trauma in their bodies due to prior physical and sexual violence. DTBF believes that by dancing in community, incarcerated women and men are given the chance to heal through cathartic choreography and emotional music. ⭐️
Please help us continue to bring the healing power of dance to more people in prison by donating to DTBF for Colorado Gives Day. And please share this post to help spread the word! 🙏🏻❤️
Link 🔗 below 👇🏻 to donate: https://www.dancetobefree.org/colorado-gives
