Trauma

Trauma-Informed Care: The Importance of Understanding the Incarcerated Women This study assessed the significance of trauma-informed care (TIC) in the recidivism rates of incarcerated women. A retrospective longitudinal survey was conducted. ACE scores were evaluated and documented through a self-reported survey. Seven years of Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions registry documentation was assessed. Descriptive statistics were utilized to define patients and evaluate patterns of recidivism after implementation of trauma-informed approaches to care. There is strong evidence associating lower recidivism rates for those who participate in TIC and trauma programs than for those who do not. This evidence supports further evaluation with a serious potential impact of reduction in recidivism and improved trajectories for incarcerated women and their families

Typologies of Adversity in Childhood & Adulthood as Determinants of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders of Adults Incarcerated in US Prisons Incarcerated people have disproportionately high rates of adverse experiences, mental health and substance use disorders. This study identifies typologies of adversity among adults incarcerated in US prisons. Typologies are used to predict mental health and substance use disorders. Disparities by gender, race and ethnicity are also examined.Incarcerated people identifying as either women or white experienced higher rates of nearly all types of adverse experiences, as compared to either men or non-white people. Women also had higher rates of mental health and substance use disorders, except for alcohol use disorder.

Implementing Trauma-Informed Care in Correctional Treatment and Supervision This article provides a rationale for trauma-informed care (TIC) in correctional services, and challenges readers to think about offending behavior through the lens of trauma. Based on interdisciplinary research and cross-theoretical literature, TIC can help in our quest to develop relevant and successful programs, practices, and policies, and the best methods for delivering them. Using Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s core principles of TIC, this article will make suggestions for the implementation of trauma-informed service delivery and practices across correctional settings. The authors translate trauma-informed concepts into practice behaviors through the acronym SHARE (safety, hope, autonomy, respect, empathy), which honors the principles of TIC recommended by SAMHSA and the principles of effective correctional rehabilitation. TIC in corrections may help improve the desired outcomes of successful re-entry and reduced recidivism.