Trauma Among Incarcerated Women
Research shows that between 77 and 90 percent of incarcerated women report experiences of past trauma. These traumatic experiences often include high rates of childhood abuse, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault. The incarceration experience itself can also be retraumatizing, as the conditions and procedures within correctional settings may trigger memories or feelings related to past trauma, further impacting women’s mental and physical health.
What is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma-informed care is a framework designed to improve healthcare and support by recognizing the widespread impact of trauma. It involves understanding the signs and symptoms of trauma, integrating this knowledge into policies and everyday practices, and prioritizing approaches that actively seek to avoid re-traumatization. The goal is to create a care environment that promotes healing and safety for individuals who have experienced trauma.
The Six Guiding Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is built on six core principles:
- Safety – ensuring the physical and emotional safety of patients.
- Trustworthiness and Transparency – fostering honest communication and clarity in actions.
- Peer Support – recognizing the value of shared experiences in healing.
- Collaboration and Mutuality – emphasizing partnership between providers and patients.
- Empowerment, Voice, and Choice – encouraging patient autonomy and strength.
- Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues – acknowledging the unique impact of identity and background on trauma and recovery.
Nursing Practices That Support Trauma-Informed Care
Correctional nurses can support trauma-informed care through specific practices such as using nonjudgmental and respectful language, asking permission before any physical touch or procedure, and clearly explaining what will happen during assessments to reduce anxiety. Normalizing stress responses by reassuring patients that they are not alone in their feelings helps reduce stigma. Respecting personal boundaries and promoting patient autonomy are also essential elements of trauma-informed nursing.
Re-traumatization Risks in Custody
Certain common correctional practices can inadvertently retraumatize women in custody. These include strip searches and the use of shackles during labor, which are invasive and distressing. The lack of privacy, harsh or dismissive communication by staff, uninformed or inappropriate use of restraints, and ignoring disclosures of past abuse or current fears all contribute to re-traumatization. Recognizing and minimizing these risks is critical to providing trauma-informed care within correctional settings.
Do you have a program that includes trauma-Informed care (for all incarcerated persons)? Please share in the comments section below.
Our third and final post in our Incarcerated Women series is Care of the Pregnant Woman.