Implementing Survivor Focused Programming for Incarcerated Females in a County Jail Facility

Implementing Implementing Survivor Focused Survivor Focused Programming for Programming for

Incarcerated Females Incarcerated Females in a County Jail in a County Jail

FacilityFacility

Presented by:Presented by:

Jennifer Scott, MAJennifer Scott, MA

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Incarcerated Women Incarcerated Women NationallyNationally

• More than one million women currently under More than one million women currently under supervision in the U.S. criminal justice systemsupervision in the U.S. criminal justice system

• Lauren E. Glaze and Thomas Bonczar, Probation and Parole in the UnitedLauren E. Glaze and Thomas Bonczar, Probation and Parole in the United Staes, 2005, Bureau of Justice Statistics, November 2006, Staes, 2005, Bureau of Justice Statistics, November 2006, 6-86-8

• More than 200,000 of these women confined in More than 200,000 of these women confined in state and local jails.state and local jails.

• Paige Harrison and Allen Beck, Prison and Jail Inmates at Paige Harrison and Allen Beck, Prison and Jail Inmates at Midyear 2005, Bureau of Justice Statistics, may 2006, 4Midyear 2005, Bureau of Justice Statistics, may 2006, 4

• Between 1977 and 2004, the number of women in prison grew by 750% -- nearly twice the rate for men.

• www.wpaonline.org/institute/about.htm

Incarcerated Survivors Incarcerated Survivors NationallyNationally

• Studies range from finding that 48% to 99% percent of women in prison have experienced domestic violence

• Bureau of Justice Statistics. Prior Abuse Reported by Inmates and Probationers, Washington, DC:U.S. Department of Justice (1999c)

Incarcerated Women Incarcerated Women NationallyNationally

• Two-thirds are mothers of a minor Two-thirds are mothers of a minor childchild

• Nine out of ten mothers report their Nine out of ten mothers report their children living with a non-intimate children living with a non-intimate partner during their incarcerationpartner during their incarceration

• Women in Prison Project, Correctional Women in Prison Project, Correctional Association of New York, Association of New York, Imprisonment and Imprisonment and Families Fact SheetFamilies Fact Sheet, May 2007, May 2007

Is women’s crime different Is women’s crime different than men’s?than men’s?

Women in Prison Project Women in Prison Project Fact Sheet 2002Fact Sheet 2002

• Women commit approximately 15% of Women commit approximately 15% of all homicidesall homicides

• 35% of women who commit violent 35% of women who commit violent crimes do so against their intimate crimes do so against their intimate partnerspartners

• 93% of women who killed intimate 93% of women who killed intimate partners had suffered abuse from that partners had suffered abuse from that partnerpartner

• http://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/http://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/Fact_Sheets_2002.pdfFact_Sheets_2002.pdf

Domestic Violence as a Domestic Violence as a Pathway to Female Pathway to Female

Criminality?Criminality?• Gender-based violence trauma may Gender-based violence trauma may

lead to illegal activities (drugs, etc.)lead to illegal activities (drugs, etc.)• Abuser may force or coerce illegal Abuser may force or coerce illegal

behavior (“softer sentence” theory)behavior (“softer sentence” theory)• Women’s high value on relationshipsWomen’s high value on relationships

Developing Survivor Developing Survivor Programming in an Programming in an

Incarcerated SettingIncarcerated Setting

• National ModelsNational Models

– Cook CountyCook County– San FranciscoSan Francisco

Cook County Sheriff’s Cook County Sheriff’s OfficeOffice

• Department of Women’s Justice Department of Women’s Justice Services created in 1999Services created in 1999

• 25% of jail’s female population 25% of jail’s female population funded by the Cook County Boardfunded by the Cook County Board


• Three Programs:Three Programs:– MOM’s Program: off-site 16-bed MOM’s Program: off-site 16-bed

community bed program for moms of community bed program for moms of young childrenyoung children

– Women’s Residential Program: Women’s Residential Program: treatment program housed within the jailtreatment program housed within the jail

– Sheriff’s Female Furlough Program: Sheriff’s Female Furlough Program: female day reporting with electronic female day reporting with electronic monitoringmonitoring


• 2004 study with Northwestern 2004 study with Northwestern University reported significant University reported significant improvement by majority of improvement by majority of participants for anxiety and trauma participants for anxiety and trauma related symptoms post-releaserelated symptoms post-release

San Francisco Sheriff’s San Francisco Sheriff’s DepartmentDepartment

• Women’s Reentry and Restorative Women’s Reentry and Restorative Justice CenterJustice Center

• Within jail but also adjacent to jailWithin jail but also adjacent to jail– Staffed by the formerly incarceratedStaffed by the formerly incarcerated

Standing Against Global Standing Against Global ExploitationExploitation

(SAGE)(SAGE)

• Trauma recovery services for Trauma recovery services for survivors of sexual exploitation, survivors of sexual exploitation, violence, and prostitutionviolence, and prostitution

• Pimps as abusersPimps as abusers

Travis County Sheriff’s Travis County Sheriff’s OfficeOffice

Austin, TXAustin, TX

Female General PopulationFemale General Population

Average number of women in custody Average number of women in custody = 266= 266

Percentage of incarcerated = 11.34%Percentage of incarcerated = 11.34%

Number booked in one calendar year Number booked in one calendar year = 12,833= 12,833

Average length of stay 2-3 weeksAverage length of stay 2-3 weeks

People Recognizing the Inherent People Recognizing the Inherent Dignity of Everyone (PRIDE) Dignity of Everyone (PRIDE)

programprogram

With the intent of lessening With the intent of lessening intergenerational incarceration, the intergenerational incarceration, the mission of the PRIDE program is to mission of the PRIDE program is to assist incarcerated Travis County assist incarcerated Travis County

women in building stronger women in building stronger relationships with their children relationships with their children

and families. This is accomplished and families. This is accomplished by providing the women with by providing the women with information addressing their information addressing their

physical, emotional and spiritual physical, emotional and spiritual needs.needs.

PRIDEPRIDE

• Began in 2008Began in 2008• 13 women at a time housed together 13 women at a time housed together

in unitin unit• 17 differing classes/ groups provided 17 differing classes/ groups provided

by volunteers and local non-profit by volunteers and local non-profit staff monthlystaff monthly

• Only one dedicated staff positionOnly one dedicated staff position

PRIDEPRIDE

• First phase is four weeksFirst phase is four weeks• Second phase indefiniteSecond phase indefinite• Heavy components of parenting and Heavy components of parenting and

trauma recoverytrauma recovery

PRIDE ClassesPRIDE Classes

• Include:Include:– ParentingParenting– Anger managementAnger management– Women’s healthWomen’s health– Money ManagementMoney Management– 12-step12-step– Cognitive Cognitive – MotivationalMotivational– Peer tutoringPeer tutoring– Job ReadinessJob Readiness

Participant Participant DemographicsDemographics

• 431 of women enrolled thus far431 of women enrolled thus far• 34% of enrolled completed first 34% of enrolled completed first

phasephase• 46% Caucasian, 40% Hispanic, 13% 46% Caucasian, 40% Hispanic, 13%

African-American, 1% AsianAfrican-American, 1% Asian• Average age of participant is 33 Average age of participant is 33


• 45% 45% directdirect substance abuse related substance abuse related chargescharges

• (28% POCS, 10% Delivery, 7% DWI)(28% POCS, 10% Delivery, 7% DWI)• 19% Fraud/ Forgery/Theft19% Fraud/ Forgery/Theft• 13% Assault13% Assault• 30% went on to Texas Department of 30% went on to Texas Department of

CorrectionsCorrections• Only 20% went to any type of Only 20% went to any type of

treatmenttreatment


• 71% have diagnosed mental health 71% have diagnosed mental health disorder or are currently receiving disorder or are currently receiving treatment within jailtreatment within jail

• 35% did not graduate from high school35% did not graduate from high school• 68% had no employment prior to arrest68% had no employment prior to arrest• Only 22% had ever attended any type of Only 22% had ever attended any type of

treatment or program in the pasttreatment or program in the past


• Recidivism hard to measure:Recidivism hard to measure:– Program only three years oldProgram only three years old– Limited research resourcesLimited research resources– Tracking of sentencing lengthsTracking of sentencing lengths– From 8/29/08-8/31/09- 52% returned From 8/29/08-8/31/09- 52% returned

(skeleton program)(skeleton program)


• 82% of participants reported history 82% of participants reported history of domestic violence and/or sexual of domestic violence and/or sexual assault in their pastsassault in their pasts

• Extremely high co-occurring Extremely high co-occurring disordersdisorders

Observed In the JailObserved In the Jail

• Chronic pain (especially pelvic)Chronic pain (especially pelvic)• Gynecological difficultiesGynecological difficulties• AsthmaAsthma• Heart palpitationsHeart palpitations• HeadachesHeadaches• Bruises, cuts, broken bones, Bruises, cuts, broken bones,

concussionsconcussions

Observed in the JailObserved in the Jail

• AnxietyAnxiety• Panic DisorderPanic Disorder• Major DepressionMajor Depression• Substance abuse and dependenceSubstance abuse and dependence• Personality disordersPersonality disorders• Psychotic disordersPsychotic disorders• Eating DisordersEating Disorders• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Disorder (PTSD)

• What is it?What is it?– An anxiety disorder that is An anxiety disorder that is

characterized by the reexperiencing of characterized by the reexperiencing of an extremely traumatic event or eventsan extremely traumatic event or events

– May be from one direct personal threat May be from one direct personal threat or witnessing an event that causes or witnessing an event that causes death or injurydeath or injury

– Varying responses displayedVarying responses displayed• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

Disorders, Fourth EditionDisorders, Fourth Edition

““Trauma is an extreme form of bad Trauma is an extreme form of bad luck-the bad luck of being born into luck-the bad luck of being born into the wrong family or being in the the wrong family or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It wrong place at the wrong time. It gets to the essence of the uncertainty gets to the essence of the uncertainty of being alive”.of being alive”.

-Najavits, L.M. (2002). -Najavits, L.M. (2002). Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse, viii-for PTSD and Substance Abuse, viii-ix.ix.

Seeking SafetySeeking Safety

• A cognitive behavioral A cognitive behavioral psychotherapy treatment for psychotherapy treatment for individuals struggling with PTSD individuals struggling with PTSD and substance abuseand substance abuse

• Used in domestic violence shelters, Used in domestic violence shelters, treatment facilities and TDCtreatment facilities and TDC

• Created by Lisa Najavits, Ph.D., Created by Lisa Najavits, Ph.D., 20022002


• Guiding Principles of Seeking Safety:Guiding Principles of Seeking Safety:– Safety as the priority of “first stage” Safety as the priority of “first stage”

treatmenttreatment– Integrated treatment of PTSD and Integrated treatment of PTSD and

substance abusesubstance abuse– 25 session topics 25 session topics – May be used in group setting or May be used in group setting or

individuallyindividually


• Four content areas:Four content areas:– CognitiveCognitive– BehavioralBehavioral– InterpersonalInterpersonal– Case managementCase management


• Open and/or closed groupsOpen and/or closed groups• Example topics: honesty, creating Example topics: honesty, creating

meaning, integrating split self, asking meaning, integrating split self, asking for helpfor help

• Each is session four parts:Each is session four parts:• Check-inCheck-in• Quotation reflectionQuotation reflection• Topic exploration that compares old and new Topic exploration that compares old and new

coping skillscoping skills• Two-part check out including a commitmentTwo-part check out including a commitment


• Evaluated in five studies:Evaluated in five studies:– Of study published significant Of study published significant

improvements in substance use, trauma-improvements in substance use, trauma-related symptoms, suicide risk, social related symptoms, suicide risk, social adjustment , family functioning, adjustment , family functioning, problems solving, depressionproblems solving, depression

– Najavits, L.M., Weiss, R.D., Shaw, S.R., & Muenz, Najavits, L.M., Weiss, R.D., Shaw, S.R., & Muenz, L.R.(1998). L.R.(1998). Seeking safety: Outcome of a new Seeking safety: Outcome of a new cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for women cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for women with posttraumatic stress disorder and substance with posttraumatic stress disorder and substance dependence.dependence. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 11 (2): Journal of Traumatic Stress, 11 (2): 281-300.281-300.

PRIDE ChallengesPRIDE Challenges

• Jail logistics (time and space)Jail logistics (time and space)• Classification issuesClassification issues• No individual counseling position yetNo individual counseling position yet

OutcomesOutcomes

• Favorable surveys from participantsFavorable surveys from participants• Women did not link PTSD with Women did not link PTSD with

substance abusesubstance abuse• Women’s biggest hurdle is opening up Women’s biggest hurdle is opening up

in group and sharing with other in group and sharing with other womenwomen

• Inventory of Offender Risk, Needs, Inventory of Offender Risk, Needs, and Strenths (IORNS)-diagnostic tool and Strenths (IORNS)-diagnostic tool resultsresults

Future NeedsFuture Needs

• CaseworkerCaseworker• ResearchResearch• Increased transitional mentoring for Increased transitional mentoring for

reentryreentry• Skilled job training opportunitiesSkilled job training opportunities

RecommendationsRecommendations

• Compare similar jails (not to prisons)Compare similar jails (not to prisons)• Have meeting will all departmental Have meeting will all departmental

leaders leaders togethertogether• Create strong relationships with Create strong relationships with

community agencies and volunteerscommunity agencies and volunteers

• Read:Read:• Moses Dawn, Glover Reed Beth, Moses Dawn, Glover Reed Beth,

Mazelis Ruta &Mazelis Ruta & D’Ambrosio Brandi.D’Ambrosio Brandi. ((August 2003). August 2003). Creating Trauma Creating Trauma Services for Women with Co-Services for Women with Co-Occurring Disorders. Occurring Disorders.

• Abrahamson, Sally. (2009).Abrahamson, Sally. (2009). Prisons Prisons Must Cease Re-Traumatizing Women: Must Cease Re-Traumatizing Women: A Call for Gender-Responsive A Call for Gender-Responsive Programs the End the Cycle of Abuse.Programs the End the Cycle of Abuse.

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Implementing Survivor Focused Programming for Incarcerated Females in a County Jail Facility