Corrections_Today_Winter_2024-2025_Vol.86_No.4

Special Sessions and Plenaries

and how this leads to higher incidence of trau matic events. Dr. Auferheide summed up with a question to the group: “What can we do to help implement trauma-informed practices that improves safety and security?” Dr. Watts stressed having the proper men tal health services in play and ensuring a safe handoff to community corrections while Hughes replied “the most important collaboration is with the person right in front of you. Proper care takes more time but gets better results”

useful to that person.” She continued by giv ing an example of how the techniques can help “If you feel you can change the course of your day with skills that’s a great morale booster that keeps you from being burned out. That keeps you from vicarious harm.” A question from the audience asked about rewarding bad behavior with more attention. Hughes answered by saying:” A piece of giving them what they want is necessary. Trauma- informed care at its basic level sees the humanity in somebody and doesn’t see the crime. When you look a someone and say what do you need right now. That’s when they start to feel agency.” A participant asked about becoming desensi tized by traumatic events and Sheriff McFaddin said if they don’t bother you, you need help but please don’t become desensitized. Dr. Watts described new training for cadets in several states giving them the tools to process traumatic events. Dr. Bader concluded by telling the audience about free training from SAMHSA while Hughes also offered training through the BJA National Training and Technical Center. Before the panel concluded Dr. Auferheide offered a challenge to the assembled correctional officials to “Walk the path less taken by imple menting trauma-informed practices that creates a culture of hope.” CT

Trauma-informed care at its basic level sees the humanity in somebody and doesn’t see the crime.

The panelists discussed the importance of con tact with patients and the relationships among staff to offer mutual support during the aftermath of traumatic events.

154 TH CONGRESS OF CORRECTION Dr. Bader explained about how these various techniques can help “If you are thinking about it from a trauma-informed way, you are able to think of those methods that are going to be

— BY KIRK RAYMOND

From Left: Dr. John Watts, Tara Hughes, Garry McFadden and Shannon Bader give insights on trauma-informed practices during a special Plenary session at the 154 th Congress of Correction.

Corrections Today | Winter 2024-2025

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