Corrections_Today_May_June_2020_Vol.82_No.3

affect them in the present. However, male inmates can learn that a good portion of their anger and acting out can be directly traced to feelings associated with past trauma(s). Male survivors, without help and intervention, often have difficulty handling their emotions. They may feel confused about their sexuality, feeling if they have been sexually assaulted, it might make them gay or if they are straight, they will be less of a man. If someone is gay, it may make them feel they are being punished for their sexual orientation. 18 Male survivors can often have a heightened sense of alienation and withdraw from others. They may have problems sleeping and they may have a great deal of anger that is associated with the assaults in their past that can lead to hostile actions. Often, men cannot report based on faulty beliefs. They can feel prideful, thinking that men can never be sexu- ally abused. They may feel that if they say something, something worse could occur or they could be retaliated against. They may have guilt beliefs that perhaps some- how, they brought the event on themselves or they may be very distrustful of the system, thinking no one will believe them if they speak up. Often men and women both can, after repeated abuse, feel that it is a “normal event and not a big deal.” This may hinder them from seeking help. Benefits of Trauma Informed Care From an agency or systems perspective, trauma in- formed care has been shown to control the cost for health care. 19 Untreated abuse that is cumulative will lead to many costs including substance use treatment, medical issues that are recurrent, psychological problems needing direct intervention, and mental health problems. Address- ing trauma can lower agency costs. Second, trauma informed care helps staff and has been shown to reduce staff turnover and aid staff to feel more competent on their job. This may be due to individuals with justice involvement cooperating more with staff and acting out less which reduces stress for staff. Third, trauma informed care practices control the high costs to secure mental health housing. The inmate can sometimes do well in general population. It is beneficial from both a cost perspective as well as improved mental health for the inmate.

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Fourth, trauma informed care can reduce hours spent in restrictive housing or use of potential restraints and it can reduce crucial incidents on the living area. Finally, trauma informed care leads to safer facili- ties, greater job satisfaction, and more effective behavior management. When individuals with justice involvement with severe trauma feel understood and listened to, their problems are much less likely to exacerbate. Individuals with justice involvement benefit from trauma informed care because they are handled more humanely, which helps them trusting in their environ- ment. This increases the probability they will successfully complete their programs and sentence. This is due to feel- ing understood and feeling a degree of safety around their living environment. Individuals with justice involvement get education on how to handle their triggers and their mental health issues that can be related to past trauma; this can decrease negative symptoms and behaviors. PTSD can be triggered in some individuals with justice involvement which can lead to outbursts and need for more staff intervention; having trauma informed care can reverse this trend. Finally, individuals with justice involvement who have trauma informed care have better relationships with employees, employers, their group workers, their COs, their family, and their friends. An old African proverb states, “The eye never forgets what the heart has seen.” With trauma, the heart has seen much darkness but with trauma informed care, the heart can begin to see compas- sion, caring, hope, and vision of a better life. Individuals with justice involvement can start healing and planning for a better future. →

Corrections Today May/June 2020 — 61