2023 Altheimer Symposium: ACES, TRAUMA, & THE LAW

1201 McMath Avenue,Little Rock AR 72202

03 March, 2023

Description

With increased awareness of the effects of stress, adversity, and trauma on people's lives, criminal justice professionals are considering what this means in their correctional settings. There is growing evidence of the effects of child neglect and abuse (as well as other forms of traumatic stress) on the health, mental health, and behavior of men and women in our justice system. Research and clinical experience indicate that there is a high correlation between trauma and recurring problems among these groups. Trauma-informed care is an approach used to engage people with histories of trauma. It recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role that trauma can play in people's lives. Trauma-informed criminal justice responses can help to avoid re-traumatizing individuals. This increases safety for all, decreases the chance of an individual returning to criminal behavior, and supports the recovery of justice-involved women and men.