Home      Login

Abstract: 

This pilot study assessed the effectiveness of a brief trauma-specific intervention among incarcerated males in secure housing units (SHUs) of two maximum security prisons. Exploring Trauma (ET) is a brief intervention designed for men who have experienced adverse childhood experiences. The sample consisted of 186 SHU residents who volunteered for the intervention and evaluation. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected on seven primary outcomes: anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, mental health, aggression, trauma symptoms, and anger. Significant improvement was found for 100% of the measured outcomes. Effect sizes were small to moderate in size, with the largest impact on depression, trauma symptom severity, and anxiety (Cohen’s d was 0.54, 0.43, and 0.41, respectively). The results provide strong evidence supporting the efficacy of this brief trauma-specific program for men in maximum security settings. Larger more rigorous studies are needed to further assess the program impact and longevity of positive impacts on participants.

Keywords: Secure housing units (SHUs), Exploring Trauma (ET), adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), maximum security confinement, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Affiliations:  1: Envisioning Justice Solutions, Inc.; 2: Envisioning Justice Solutions, Inc..