Trauma informed training workshops in prisons

Fish, Rebecca (2024) Trauma informed training workshops in prisons. [Report]

Abstract

Prisoners are disproportionately affected by early trauma [1]. Efforts to reduce crime and prevent future offending can be strengthened through trauma-informed policies and interventions [2]. A key aim of the LVRN is to support Lancashire to be a ‘trauma-informed county’ and to embed trauma-informed practice within their partner organisations and workforce [3]. Trauma arises from one or more events that are experienced as harmful, having a lasting effect that can arise again when people are in real or perceived danger [4]. Such experiences alter the way an individual perceives their environment and relationships, leading them to expect danger, especially in situations that are similar in some way to the context of the original trauma [5]. Prisons in England and Wales began to implement trauma informed working in 2015 as part of growing recognition of trauma-related conditions and responses in community and mental health settings [6]. This was originally based on the work of American psychologist, Stephanie Covington, who defines trauma-informed services as: ‘…services that have been created to provide assistance for problems other than trauma, but in which all practitioners have a shared knowledge base and/or core understanding about trauma resulting from violence.’ [7: p22] From these perspectives, trauma-informed approaches do not necessarily directly address trauma, but provide an environment in which trauma is not exacerbated. The key underlying principles that help to create and sustain such an environment include: trust; collaboration; choice; empowerment; and safety [8]. The LVRN has adopted the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) definition of trauma and their six principles of TI practice (see figure below taken from Lancaster University Applied Research Collaboration evaluation of LVRN trauma informed programmes [3]). The six principles form a framework for mental health organisations, that can be used in other settings such as prisons.