A Los Angeles-based nonprofit is bringing virtual reality headsets to California prisons to expose inmates to real world scenarios to help them reenter society, and provide a brief escape to the outside world. Last month, incarcerated men at Valley State Prison near Fresno, California enjoyed experiencing this technology in a weeklong program.

Some prisoners were transported to exotic destinations like Bangkok, while others were exposed to job interviews, which will help them in finding employment once they’re released. Volunteers also helped inmates process any emotions or traumas which may have bubbled up. They use 100 Oculus headsets donated by Meta, across general inmates, youth offenders, and those in solitary confinement. Sabra Williams, founder of the nonprofit Creative Acts which runs this programme, calls the VR devices a “hope machine” and hopes to expand the programme nationwide.