Psychology

Behind Closed Doors: Considering a Triphasic Traumatic Incarceration Experience

Document Type

Article

Abstract

What occurs behind the closed doors of a prison and among those incarcerated is complex, individualized, and very different from voyeuristic material presented in popular media. The current study aims to understand whether and how multiple phases of the carceral experience may induce trauma in systeminvolved clients from the perspective of social workers who work directly with those clients. Study findings showed justice-system social workers report a triphasic experience of incarceration that is traumatic in unique, yet overlapping, ways at each phase. Themes of trauma experiences before sentencing, during incarceration, and after release emerged from interviews with social workers who work in criminal justice system settings. An understanding of the trauma experiences as triphasic aids in formulating thoughtful approaches for those working with the incarcerated person, their families, and justice system actors leading up to and during sentencing, while incarcerated, and once released. Understanding trauma at each incarceration phase is an appropriate step toward better advocating for those who are incarcerated. Expanding conceptualizations of how trauma occurs for justice systeminvolved individuals also can aid in combatting recidivism, advancing healthy reintegration, and ensuring justice.

Publication Title

Traumatology

Publication Date

2019

ISSN

1534-7656

DOI

10.1037/trm0000227

Keywords

criminal justice, incarceration, reintegration, trauma

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