Resilience Building Programs in U.S. Corrections Facilities: An Evaluation of Trauma-Informed Practices in Place

Abstract

ABSTRACT Interventions aimed at changing behavior without addressing underlying trauma-based issues may have limited efficacy in rehabilitation in an incarceration setting. Trauma-informed care and therapies can assist in reducing violent and delinquency behaviors but are only recently being incorporated into current rehabilitation practices. This study postulates that one reason for the lack of trauma-informed and responsive rehabilitation programs could be the difficulty in standard evaluation and comparison due to their complex and varied components and methods. This study aimed to examine the programs currently in place and determine shared themes among current practices to help find commonality. Once common themes are identified, program efficacy can be better studied leading to successful methods spreading to other locations or organizations. The primary methodology for finding common themes was interviewing subject matter experts and analyzing their program descriptions. A study sample (n = 12) comprised of experts currently or formerly in roles of implementation for trauma-informed programs in correctional facilities. They were interviewed with key informant questionnaires and their responses were recorded and assessed using constant comparison methods. This study found five common themes within existing programs: recipient mind-set, ancillary relations, program foundations, intentions, and resistance. This led to a generalized practice model with four steps, including identifying societal barriers, initial personal assessment, program implementation, and evaluation.