On Thursday evening, Blair students gathered in Clinton for a sobering and insightful conversation with Dr. Carey Zimmermann ’97, a clinical psychologist currently at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Danbury, Connecticut. As part of the Alumni Roundtables series, Dr. Zimmermann shared her experiences working within the federal prison system, offering students a rare look at the intersection of mental health, law and social responsibility. Hosted by Head of School Peter G. Curran, the event focused on the critical need for proper mental health support and the “tips and tricks” for maintaining personal well-being in high-pressure environments.

“In roles like mine, you really do a little bit of everything,” Dr. Zimmermann explained to the students. “You treat people with serious mental illness, respond to crisis calls and run group sessions. You are there to support people through their sentences and offer the best mental health services possible while they are incarcerated.”

Much of the conversation centered around raising awareness for her area of expertise. She addressed the deinstitutionalization of mental health facilities, which has led to an increase in the incarcerated population. She spoke candidly about the troubling reality of individuals remaining in jail because they lack the competency to navigate the legal system and struggle with mental instability. 

Beyond the immediate crisis of mental health in the legal system, Dr. Zimmermann added her deep concern for youth who enter the federal system before their brains are even fully developed. She explained to the students that research shows the human brain—specifically the part responsible for anticipating consequences and controlling impulses—isn’t fully formed until age 25 for men and 23 for women. 

She reflected on the challenges of long prison sentences for those who commit offenses at a young age, encouraging the audience to consider their lasting human impact and what it means to move forward after such a significant portion of life is spent incarcerated.

When asked by a student how she manages the emotional weight of such a challenging environment, her answer was rooted in the same advice she offers her patients and interns: the power of community and peer support.

“I wish I had a perfect answer for how to deal with the heavy things we see,” she admitted. “But the truth is, I talk to my colleagues a lot. We lean on each other. We support incarcerated individuals the best you can and then support each other.”

Throughout the evening, Dr. Zimmermann shared practical mental health guidance that is applicable far beyond the walls of a correctional facility. She emphasized the importance of building a support network, finding greater meaning in your mission, and encouraging open minds and open dialogue.

The evening closed with a lively Q&A, where students asked about everything from addiction treatment to the daily life of a psychologist in a low-security prison. Dr. Zimmermann’s visit served as a reminder that a Blair education provides the foundation for leadership in even the most challenging and essential fields.

Dr. Carey Zimmermann ’97 is a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive experience in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. She remains a dedicated mentor to doctoral interns and a passionate advocate for mental health reform within the justice system, continuing to share her professional journey and insights with the Blair community.