I felt blessed when I met Lisa and saw the great non-profit she started. Patients Not Prisoners works to reduce the incarceration of people with mental health issues. Having been through the nightmare of the criminal justice system, as a person with untreated mental health issues, I understand the importance of supporting this organization. As a volunteer I've had a firsthand view of the services provided directly to an under served population. Lisa has also worked tirelessly with government officials to establish a mental health court which will help divert people away from the prison system into the more appropriate mental health program.
I’m so grateful for the support and guidance I received from Lisa on the phone today from Patients Not Prisoners. She took the time to listen to my entire story about what our family is currently going through with our son, and her compassion and understanding meant so much during such a difficult time.
Lisa not only offered emotional support but also gave us practical next steps—she recommended writing a letter to the judge and emphasized the importance of being proactive. She provided a list of housing resources and encouraged us to start making calls right away to help prepare for Arman’s transition back into the community.
She also shared a number of helpful tools and programs that can support us in building a release and recovery plan for our son. I left the conversation feeling much more empowered and hopeful.
Lisa, thank you for reminding me that even in the midst of this hardship, there is still a path forward. Your words—“God has a way of turning our pain into gain”—truly stayed with me.
We are so appreciative of your work and this amazing organization. Thank you for being a light in such a dark time.
—SO
Patients Not Prisoners, Inc. is an exemplary organization whose mission is to educate and develop a safe place for families to garner support in their journal to care for their loved ones who are victims of mental health issues. As the Executive Board Chair, I am proud of the work and accomplishments that our organization has provided Putnam County. Thank you for Showcasing our organization.
Carol Smith, Chair
Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Administrator
We have been dealing with our son's schizophrenia for 18 years. It's organizations like PNP that have helped so many. God bless them for what they are doing.
Lisa and her organization Patients not Prisoners is a life-saver. I can’t tell you how much she has done for me. She has gotten me therapy, has given me solid advise, has let me talk to her counsel and has supported me in my times of need through countless conversations. She is an angel.
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Patients Not Prisoners is a commendable nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the way society addresses mental illness, emphasizing treatment over incarceration. Founded by Lisa Taliaferro, whose personal experiences with her sons’ interactions with the justice system due to mental health challenges have deeply informed her advocacy, the organization is rooted in genuine compassion and firsthand understanding.
The organization’s mission is multifaceted, focusing on public education, family support, and systemic change. They work tirelessly to educate communities about mental illness, fostering empathy and strengthening family support systems. Recognizing that families also endure significant challenges, Patients Not Prisoners offers access to free therapy through partnerships with platforms like BetterHelp and facilitates restorative circles for families supporting their loved ones.
Advocacy is at the heart of their efforts. They are actively working with lawmakers to establish Mental Health Courts and restorative diversion programs, aiming to prioritize treatment and rehabilitation over punishment. Their initiatives, such as the “Evening of Compassion,” raise funds and awareness for mental health resources for incarcerated individuals, highlighting their commitment to systemic reform.
Patients Not Prisoners exemplifies how lived experiences can drive meaningful advocacy and reform. Their dedication to educating the public, supporting families, and advocating for systemic change underscores their role as a vital force in the movement towards compassionate mental health care.
Lisa and her organization Patients not Prisoners have been helping me learn how to assist my son with his legal and mental health battles.
I came across patients -not-prisnors in 2023 when my son who is mentally ill was in jail for 6 months and I saw first hand how the mentally ill inmates are treated, the staff doesn't care mental illness isn't even really recognized when you're in jail, and I wanted to get help from my son advocate for him while he was in jail and that's when I found Lisa and Patients Not Prisoners. I thank God Lisa started this organization because I don't know where I will be today but I didn't have her help her guidance or support her just being there, and thank you doesn't even begin to cover all with you all that was just done for me along with patients not prisoners. and I am internally grateful for them providing and therapy for me also which I should have done a long time ago and it's helped so much with me dealing with my anxiety and depression. be able to talk about it to get it out so the volume all up and let it overwhelm me it just helps so much and I'm very grateful I can't say it enough to Lisa and for patients not prisoners
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I feel very fortunate to have learned about PNP when I met Lisa at the treatment center our sons were in. She is extremely knowledgeable about mental health issues, patient advocacy and laws affecting our loved ones. PNP is standing up for members of our community who are often mistreated and overlooked.
Since my initial exposure to Patients Not Prisoners (PnP) and Lisa, it’s foundress, I have been impressed and inspired. Pnp has identified and is addressing a real, crucial need for changing systems that currently criminalize people with mental illness. The work of the organization and its members is exemplary.
This organization is phenomenal. Lisa and her entire team are making the world a better place. PNP's mission is thoughtful and driven.
I cannot say enough about Lisa and her non-profit, Patients not Prisoners. I had a tragic event happen in my life last year. Lisa called me and I felt that I had the support I needed to move on with the challenges. Her organization supports people who are incarcerated and their families. She is a calming presence in a storm and one of the most caring, empathetic people I know. I could not do this without the support of Patients not Prisoners and Lisa. I joined their book club, we read Crazy: A father’s Journey Through America’s Mental Health Madness and I met others who are also struggling and I learned so much. Patients not Prisoners plans many events for the local community so that people with mental illness can get out and not feel so alone. This organization will make the changes needed to our judicial system so our incarcerated loved ones will be treated with dignity, I just know it will happen.
As a psychologist, I have connected with this organization to understand how it can help those with mental health problems. Patients Not Prisoners Inc. is a non-profit organization based in St. Johns County, Florida, dedicated to advocating for individuals with mental illness and promoting restorative justice. They aim to create safer communities by providing education, support, and resources for both families and first responders.
Here are some of their key initiatives:
Advocacy: They advocate for policy changes to address the needs of individuals with mental illness and promote a more equitable system.
Education: They educate the community about mental illness and its effects, fostering understanding and empathy.
Support: They offer support services to families and individuals affected by mental illness, including therapy vouchers and restorative circles.
Collaboration: They collaborate with first responders and community partners to develop innovative solutions and improve outcomes for individuals with mental illness.
Their mission is to ensure that individuals with mental illness receive the care and support they need, rather than being incarcerated. They believe in a system that prioritizes treatment, rehabilitation, and community integration.
Lisa and Patients not Prisoners has been an absolute godsend. I’m going through a really rough time with an incarcerated father who’s in a mental health crisis. I reached out to her in the middle of the night desperately trying to find some resource to guide me through this process, and the next morning she reached out with help and guidance. She has been incredible in helping me understand the process, and I’m forever grateful for all of her suggestions and advice.
As a leader of a law enforcment agency, perhaps our biggest challenge is successfully navigating the mental health crisis in our contry by working to ensure that people are not incarcerated as a manifestation of their mental illness. Patients Not Prisioners INC is quickly prooving to be a most valued partner in the efforts to educate our community and to develop strategic programs to address the mental health crisis in a manner the benefits all involved.
Lisa is an angel! When I was feeling helpless and lost, like there was nowhere to turn she made me feel like I wasn't alone and there was not only hope, but someone willing to go out of the way to help. It really restored my faith that there are truly good people left in this world, especially when the world can seem so ugly. I'd give a million stars if I could ❤️
Ms.Lisa - CEO and Founder - has truly lived and seen the effects of injustice on families and patients dealing with mental illness. Over the past year PNP has made a significant impact on the lives of families fighting for the rights of their loved ones through community learning - with the help of Putnam County Police - and family focused events.
I truly can’t wait to see what PNP does in 2024 because the work is truly important and could change the way we support these families and patients.
PNP is faithfully dedicated to advocating for vulnerable individuals and bettering the systems in which we support those individuals. Positive impacts are made for countless people and our communities by the work of PNP.
This is a group that has a heart and love for those in need of mental health services both incarcerated or not. The are fighting for thoses who are fighting mental health issues and the family's to help them have a better life ❤️
My experience with Patients Not Prisoners has been very uplifting overall. This organization works hard to bring education about the effects of mental health on our criminal justice system, and seeks constructive solutions with community, and legislative avenues. Patients Not prisoners is an amazing advocate for those effected by mental health, as well as their families, and it's founder Lisa Taliaferro has lived experience with the issues she deals with. Her testimonials are a powerful source of hope for others that may be struggling with justice for individuals effected by mental health conditions.