SEXUAL TRAUMA RECOVERY IS NEEDED TO HELP WOMEN SUCCESSFULLY REINTEGRATE AFTER INCARCERATION Proposal for mental health intervention by Portal Houston in conjunction with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Re-entry Program.

RATE OF INCARCERATION FOR WOMEN IS GROWING Source: Carson, E.A., Golineli, D. (2013) Prisoners in 2012, Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Justice Statistics :

ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH RESTORING IDENTITY, IMPARTING HOPE

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VICTIMIZATION

LOGIC MODEL Conduct Pre-Release Sexual Trauma Recovery Groups in 2 Correctional Facilities under the Prostitution Reform Program joint project of TDCJ and HCJ. Conduct Re-Entry Coaching Sessions producing a client contract with service linkages to the community, including, but not limited to, continuing trauma- informed care with mental health professionals. One-year follow-up to evaluate outcomes.

WHO IS AFFECTED? WOMEN  Non-White  Poor  Uneducated  Mothers of Dependent Children CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED COMMUNITIES HEALTH COSTS FOR EVERYONE

GEOGRAPHIC AREA TEXAS – 12,243 WOMEN IN STATE FACILITIES 10,851 WOMEN RELEASEED EACH YEAR 21.7% REUTURN TO HARRIS COUNTY HARRIS COUNTY JAIL – 1200 WOMEN IN COUNTY FACILITY AVERAGE STAY IS 30 DAYS

COMPARISON DATA Women’s Crimes Recidivism Trajectories to prison Why Female-specific Programing?

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WOMEN IN CORRECTIONS SUFFER FROM :  Childhood Abuse –  9 X more likely to be involved in CJS  Mental health – 73%  Sexual Abuse – 57.2%

RESPONSES TO VICTIMIZATION  PTSD  Depression  Anxiety  Low Self-Esteem  Substance Abuse

GAPS / BARRIERS  Core issue of victimization left unaddressed  Women are returning home without treatment  Few services in their communities  Lack of knowledge or access to existing services  Need for full-service intervention.

RATIONALE FOR 3-TIERED APPROACH Incarceration provides an opportunity for intervention. Full assessment can be done pre-release Trauma education is received in prison Participants become acclimated to support group environment Mental Health intervention becomes a part of continuing care plan Accessibility is increased through re-entry initiative Counseling is not generally sought in low-income communities Effectiveness is increased in the community programs because referrals are prescreened and motivated to finish. Trauma recovery can become preventative.

THREE TIERED APPROACH

OUTCOMES