Module 4: Trauma-Informed Practices

Course Description

This module provides insight into the importance of trauma-informed practices in working with adults in correctional facilities. Starting from research indicating a high prevalence of traumatic experiences among prisoners, the module aims to offer practitioners the tools to identify, understand and adequately respond to the consequences of trauma. Key aspects of the module include:

Understanding Trauma: An analysis of the types of trauma that are most prevalent among the prison population, including exposure to community violence, loss of loved ones, and childhood abuse.Impact of trauma on behavior: The way in which traumatic experiences shape emotional and cognitive processes, which can affect impulsivity, aggressiveness, and repetition of criminal behavior.Principles of the Trauma-Informed Approach: Creating an environment in which the risk of retraumatization is reduced by changing approaches to disciplinary practices, communication, and support for prisoners.Practical strategies: The application of trauma-informed techniques in everyday work in institutions, with the aim of improving the mental health of prisoners and reducing recidivism.Techniques for Overcoming Trauma and Stress: Training practitioners in the use of a variety of techniques for overcoming trauma and stress, including cognitive-behavioural methods, mindfulness, meditation, and other emotional regulation strategies.

Participants will be trained in the use of a variety of techniques to help overcome trauma and reduce stress. The program includes the use of cognitive-behavioural methods to understand and reframe negative thoughts, a mindfulness approach that helps achieve inner peace, and meditation to promote emotional stability. In addition to these techniques, students will master other emotional regulation strategies to increase their resilience and achieve better mental health.

The module is designed to help professionals working in correctional institutions to adopt research-based approaches and thus contribute to a more humane and efficient rehabilitation system.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

  1. Define and recognize different types of trauma and their effects on the prison population, taking into account psychological, emotional and social aspects.
  2. Understand how trauma affects prisoners' behavior, mental health, and recidivism, analyzing practice examples and relevant case studies.
  3. Develop the ability to recognize the signs of retraumatization and respond appropriately in crisis situations, including techniques and de-escalation of emotional regulation.
  4.  They create personalized support plans for inmates with traumatic experiences, in accordance with the principles of individualized approach and holistic rehabilitation.
  5.  Evaluate the effects of trauma-informed strategies on improving safety, trust, and rehabilitation in prison settings.
  6. They implement self-help and self-care methods to reduce occupational stress and burnout in working with traumatized populations, including mindfulness and emotional resilience strategies.