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The Horror of the Holocaust
While the Holocaust may be decades in the past, the trauma and pain it brought about are still very real even today. Back in 2018 I got to travel to Israel through a spring break program at my university. As part of this trip we visited many historical and religious sites across the country, but by far the most memorable was the Holocaust museum. Our tour guide, an Israeli Jew walked us to the gates of the museum, but declined to go with us. For him the museum was a reminder of the family members he had lost during the Holocaust, and was too painful.
One of the parts of that museum that will forever be engrained into my mind is the memorial to the children lost during the Holocaust. You enter a dark tunnel, with soft somber music echoing throughout. There are hundreds of mirrors set to reflect the light of a single candle millions of times around you. Each reflection of the candle represented the life of a child whos flame was extinguished far too soon during the genocide. Many of us including myself left the tunnel in tears. The atrocities committed during the Holocaust were unspeakable, millions of innocent people killed for their beliefs.
The trauma inflicted by the Nazis continued even after their reign of power came to and end. After the war there were countless children who had lost their families or experienced trauma. As we learned in unit 2 adverse childhood experiences can lead to problems later in life such as depression and other health issues (Rosseau 2020). The number of children who experienced trauma throughout the holocaust and had such issues later in life is incalculable. Wiesel writes about being herded into railroad cars, threatened with death, starved and dehydrated being sent off to camps. Some families were separated, and would never see each-other again (Night 2006). These types of experiences would severely traumatize anyone. Even after the terror stopped, the damage was still continuing. In studies conducted on Holocaust survivors years later 45-55% were found to be suffering from PTSD, and many ranked the Holocaust as the most significant stressor in their lives even decades later (Barak 2000). While the genocide may have ended decades ago, its effects are still felt today. Trauma never really goes away, as the memories will always be there.
References:
Barak, Y., & Szor, H. (2000). Lifelong posttraumatic stress disorder: evidence from aging Holocaust survivors. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 2(1), 57–62.
Rousseau, D. (2020). Module 2. Retrieved from https://onlinecampus.bu.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-7783368-dt-content-rid-37966231_1/courses/20sum1metcj720so1/course/module2/allpages.htm
Wiesel, E., & Wiesel, M. (2006). Night. New York, NY: Hill and Wang.
A Double Pandemic: Covid-19 and Domestic Violence
A Double Pandemic: Covid-19 and Domestic Violence
COVID-19 has impacted the world greatly with strict restrictions on stay at home orders, especially throughout the United States. While the shelter in place has been shown to help decrease the number in cases for the coronavirus, domestic violence cases seem to be on the rise. In a home with domestic violence, it is crucial for the victim to be away from the home as much as possible to avoid any altercations with the perpetrator. “Many victims find themselves isolated in violent homes, without access to resources or friend and family networks” (ICISF 2020). The heightened increase in domestic violence could be for several reasons. For the victims, now that shelter in place has been enacted, there is a higher chance for them to not be able to seek the help and resources that they need. “One out of three women in the world experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the World Health Organization, making it the most widespread but among the least reported human rights abuses” (Godin, 2020).
During these lockdown restrictions, victims are more exposed to abuse in their households. These are stressful times and the known financial circumstances especially, can cause a lot of tension. More often than not, perpetrators take out their anger and stress on the victims. In France has indicated a 30 % increase in domestic violence reports, Brazil estimates domestic violence reports have jumped 40–50 %, and Italy has also indicated reports of domestic violence are on the rise (Campbell 2020). It is crucial, now more than ever, that welfare checks are being done.
References
Bettinger-Lopez, C. (2020, May 13). A Double Pandemic: Domestic Violence in the Age of COVID-19. Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/double-pandemic-domestic-violence-age-covid-19
Campbell A. M. (2020). An increasing risk of family violence during the Covid-19 pandemic: Strengthening community collaborations to save lives. Forensic Science International: Reports, 2, 100089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsir.2020.100089
Godin, M. (2020, March 18). How Coronavirus Is Affecting Victims of Domestic Violence. Retrieved June 19, 2020, from https://time.com/5803887/coronavirus-domestic-violence-victims/
Cultural Competence in Corrections
After reading the article "Trauma of the incarceration Experience" (DeVeaux, M., 2013). I felt compelled to look further into the importance of understanding the value of cultural competence in corrections. In today's world where we see blue lines versus black lives corrections seems to be just on the edge. I feel that it is important to be proactive in understanding where law enforcement seems to be veering. It seems that the root of DeVeaux's trauma stems from a lack of competence which is probably the case for most situations.
Not only would cultural competence improve the likelihood of traumatic experience but it would also help in maintaining control of an institutionalized setting. According to the national center for cultural competence there needs to be at least five elements in place to understand this concept. They are:
- Valuing diversity (shapes earnestness and respect)
- Having the capacity for cultural self-assessment (reveals being open-minded and flexibility)
- Being conscious of the dynamics inherent when cultures interact (situational awareness)
- Having institutionalized culture knowledge (fosters experience, builds bridges)
- Having developed adaptations to service delivery reflecting an understanding of cultural diversity (reduces challenges, obstacles and barriers of communications)
I find that these elements all make sense. In order to truly grasp a concept you must genuinely understand the importance of it. So to understand and value the idea of diversity and embrace it a person is more likely to follow through. It also makes sense to have an understanding of our selves, to know that what we do does not define the norm for others. Everyone is different and brings different things to the table. Knowing what we do and do not bring is essential in being able to truly understand our own culture and to understand what we should learn about others. These two concepts spoke to me the most as the other three concepts are practices that corrections officers should engage in anyway.
Overall I feel it would be easy to fall into the deeply rooted belief system of authority is key in the jail. However it is not the true answer. I have seen for myself the difference between flexing unnecessary muscles and being genuine. If other guards including myself were to work on and further explore the importance of cultural awareness and competence we may see better outcomes across the board which would make institutionalization an easier system.
References:
DeVeaux, M. (2013). The Trauma of the Incarceration Experience. Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review, 48. 2013
ToersBijns, C. (2014, December 8). Cultural Competence. Retrieved June 22, 2020, from http://www.corrections.com/news/article/38224-cultural-competence
Trauma Associated with Female Imprisonment
Within the United States more than 200,00 women are imprisoned, most of which are for non-violent crimes. As opposed to their male counterparts, female incarceration generally exists due to illegal actions associated with petty crime either stemming from drug use, or a need to provide for their children. The United States has the highest number of incarcerated women worldwide and much of this is a result of trauma related experiences within their lives prior to incarceration.
Unfortunately our prison system is based on a male model and doesn’t take into consideration the sensitive nature of women who have been traumatized. Many women have experienced long term physical or sexual abuse and therefore are further subjected within the prison system. “Imprisonment itself can have serious mental health effects, particularly for women with children and a history of victimization. The prison experience is not an isolated encounter. Rather, it may serve to exacerbate women's trauma while, equally, the trauma may exacerbate the prison experience for women.” (Moloney, Bergh, Moller) Trauma and prison are many times intertwined as women enter incarceration with a multitude of past trauma and do not receive trauma related care within the system, which not only exacerbates their difficulties but leads to repeat offenses. Oftentimes women are held for longer periods of time within their local jails as female offenders generally have less income than males and are unable to post bail or seek the legal representation they may need. The notable income disparity between men and women within the criminal justice system further exemplifies the need for gender specific approaches.
Youth offenders also make up a large population of those within the prison system, if these young women are not assisted with their healing they are likely to reoffend and spend many years of their lives within the criminal justice system. “A gender-responsive approach comprehensively addresses the unique and specific needs of girls, creates an environment that reflects the realities of girls’ lives, and acknowledges their unique developmental experiences and pathways to problem behaviors. “ (Harris, Fitton) Programs that help promote healing, self esteem, financial independence, and control over ones own body can help women both young and old develop tools to heal and move forward with better coping mechanisms.
We as a society need to take into consideration the role that trauma plays in incarceration rates. If we hope to make the public safer, we must implement ways to help the incarcerated process and attempt to recover from their trauma. Simply locking a woman up for prostitution or drug use, doesn’t confront the underlying issues as to why they are involved in illegal activity. We need a more comprehensive analysis of the data associated with women who are incarcerated, the way in which they are held Prison vs. Local Jail, the reasons for their crimes, and how they are being treated within the system. Women inmates have different needs than their male counterparts and our criminal justice system needs to implement more gender responsive approaches to help women combat their trauma while incarcerated.
Sources:
R. Walmsley, (2006) World female imprisonment list. International Centre for Prison Studies, London. Sourced From: http://fileserver.idpc.net/library/world_female_prison_4th_edn_v4_web.pdf
K.P. Moloney,B.J. van den Bergh,L.F. Moller (2009) Women in prison: The central issues of gender characteristics and trauma history. Published by Elsevier.
Danielle Arlanda Harris, PhD 1, (2010) Yoga Therapy in Practice The Art of Yoga Project: A Gender-Responsive Yoga and Creative Arts Curriculum for Girls in the California Juvenile Justice System Published in: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF YOGA THERAPY
Self-Care During a Pandemic
Long-term activation of the body’s fight or flight stress response can lead to health issues. The body’s stress hormone, cortisol, is beneficial in small doses, but can become detrimental when levels remain elevated (Mayo Clinic, 2019). During the coronavirus pandemic, many of us are experiencing a lost sense of “agency” – the feeling of being in control of your life (van der Kolk, p. 95). This chronic stress of feeling out of control and on-guard can lead to autoimmune disorders, skeletal and muscular problems, and issues with emotional regulation if left untreated (van der Kolk, p. 86). Less severe consequences include digestive issues, headaches, and sleep issues (Mayo Clinic, 2019). To overcome the effects of chronic stress, we must find a way to calm the body’s fight or flight response. Remaining calm and focused when introduced to stressful situations in our daily lives is imperative for our health (van der Kolk, p. 203).
Take action! Regain that sense of agency. Making an active effort to deal with traumatic or stressful situations is beneficial to your health, so put your adrenaline to good use (van der Kolk, p. 217). If the coronavirus has you feeling on edge, follow a YouTube tutorial and make masks for you and your loved ones. If you have all the supplies you need, check in on a neighbor and see if they need anything. Do what you can to help feel in control.
Get physical! We face disruptive physical reactions to stress (van der Kolk, p. 204). When chronically stressed, tension builds up within the body (van der Kolk, p. 266). Yoga is proven to have incredible results for calming the body and undoing these harmful reactions. Yoga focuses on regulating breath – regulated breathing helps create a steady heart rate, which contributes to overall health and well-being. This helps us stay calm and react in a more composed manner when faced with daily stressors (van der Kolk, p. 266). If yoga is not for you, even just going for a walk around your neighborhood daily can help to clear your mind and keep your physical body healthy.
References:
Mayo Clinic. (2019, March 19). Chronic stress puts your health at risk. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037
van der Kolk, B. A. (2015). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. New York: Penguin Books.
Police Brutality has traumatized us all
On May 25, 2020 Minneapolis Police received a call of a possible fraud that had just occurred at a local business. Officers arrived on scene, and arrested George Floyd, a 46 year old black man, for providing counterfeit money to buy cigarettes. Mr. Floyd was passively resisting which led to a brief struggle between him and the four officers on site. Once on the ground, Officer Derek Chauvin, was on top of Mr. Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Causing the victim George Floyd to die from asphyxiation. Chaos ensued afterwards. Protests across the world began and are still ongoing. Demands for justice, police reforms, defunding of departments, and even abolishment of police can be heard around the world. The one thing that’s not talked about is because of Derek Chauvin’s action, we have all been traumatized by police brutality.
For example, in Atlanta while protests were happening, six Atlanta Police Officers were arrested, 5 of them for aggravated assault, for their use of tasers of two black people. The District Attorney of Fulton County, Paul Howard, came out in a press conference and stated that “Under Georgia Law a taser is considered a deadly weapon.” A week later, this statement was put to the test unfortunately, as Atlanta PD officers were involved in the shooting and killing of Rayshard Brooks. APD was called on scene for a man passed out in the middle of a Wendy’s drive thru. When they arrived on scene, officers had Mr. Brooks step out of the vehicle and conducted a field sobriety test. After the test was over, a breathalyzer was used to determine Mr. Brooks intoxicated level. He blew a .108 percent, which is higher than the legal limit of .08. Officers began to arrest Mr. Brooks for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), when he began to resist arrest. He assaulted both officers, he was tased, to not avail, and he grabbed the officer’s taser and began to take off running. A short foot pursuit ensued, where Mr. Brooks turned around and deployed the taser to the officers. Fearing for their lives, because according to the Fulton County DA “Under Georgia Law a taser is considered a deadly weapon”, one officer drew his service weapon and shot Mr. Brooks 3 times, striking him twice, ultimately leading to his death. Within a week, chaos had occurred again. The officer who fired his weapon was fired, by the mayor because the chief of police refused to do as such. The second officer was placed on administrative leave. Both officers were charged in the death of Rayshard Brook, because according to the Fulton County DA, “tasers are non-lethal weapons.” This is I say we’ve all been traumatized.
Just a week ago tasers were lethal when used on citizens, but when a citizen attempts to use it on an officer, it is no longer lethal? Where is the fairness and justice this country is all about? I believe the DA felt tremendous amount of pressure to bring chargers to the officers, even though the chargers do not fit the crime. Mr. Brooks was out on parole for his previous conviction of, False Imprisonment, Simple Battery/Family, Battery Simple and Felony Cruelty/Cruelty to Children. This was not an innocent man that had made the mistake of drinking and driving. This was a man that was out on parole, was out drinking and driving, luckily did not cause an accident, and resisted arrest because he knew if arrested, he would be going back to prison. Because of the movements around the world, these officers were charged for a crime they did not commit. They followed department’s procedures and policies, and acted accordingly. But due to the world wanting to see the police burn down, the DA is out to make an example of them when is it not warranted.
After the DA announcing of the charges, Atlanta PD officers began to call out of work sick, and what is known as the “blue flu”. Officers fearing for their lives, have not shown up to work at the night shifts in Atlanta. About 30 or so officers called out, because they are scared that they’ll receive a call, follow procedure and still be prosecuted for it. They’re afraid that the department, the city, and the justice system is failing them for doing the right thing. Police brutality traumatized us all to the point where police officers are afraid to their jobs. Across the country officers are leaving the force because they don’t want to be in a situation where following procedure gets them arrested and sentenced. They are scared, and they cannot be blamed for it. Unfortunately, the citizens will feel the backlash of these actions. Less officers will be available to respond to 911 calls, meaning higher chances of criminals getting away with committing crimes.
Police officers aren’t the only ones traumatized by police brutality, citizens, especially those of colors, are more than ever afraid of police. This became very real, and sadly true when I saw a specific video. In this video, out Trumbull Connecticut, there’s a young teenager, dribbling a basketball outside his house. The kid is by himself, he’s dribbling minding his own business. When suddenly, he stops and begins to hide by a white SUV that is parked on the driveway. At this point we can’t see why he is hiding. After a few more seconds, a police cruiser comes into the frame, and just drives on by. The officer appeared to be just cruising around. However, the kid was hiding from the officer. This was very heartbreaking, a young boy playing basketball has to hide from the police because of the actions of other officers. He has to hide because he is scared that he will be attacked or worst, if the cop sees him.
It is beyond saddening seeing this around the country. People are afraid of the police, and the police are afraid to do their job. This is because the actions of the bad officers that unfortunately exists in our country. Officers, the good ones, the ones out there on the streets trying to make positive change, all their hard work. All of their struggles, and fights to make the streets a lot of safer, and to build a strong community relationship, everything is tinted by the action of others. This career, this passion that some of us have, we’re judged not by we do, but by others do. This is the only career, where an officer, no, a criminal disguised as an officer in Minnesota can kill an innocent victim because he has no heart and soul, and have the backslash of it be felt by an officer in Massachusetts, that had nothing to do with the situation. Now more than ever a strong community policing needs to put in place, departments across the country need to start healing that bond, and making it stronger with the community. Showing them they’re support in their movement and passion, but at the same time demonstrating that they are out to do the good work.
References
Hill, E., Tiefenthaler, A., Triebert, C., Jordan, D., Willis, H., & Stein, R. (2020, May 31). How George Floyd Was Killed in Police Custody. The New York Times. Retrieved June 21, 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-investigation.html
Waldrop, T., Gallagher, D., & Kirkland, P. (2020, June 4). 6 Atlanta police officers booked on charges after alleged use of excessive force during protest. CNN. Retrieved June 21, 2020, from https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/us/atlanta-police-booked-felony-charges-protest/index.html.
Young, R., Levenson, E., Almasy, S., & Maxouris, C. (2020, June 17). Ex-Atlanta Police officer who killed Rayshard Brooks charged with felony murder. CNN. Retrieved June 21, 2020, from https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/17/us/rayshard-brooks-atlanta-shooting-wednesday/index.html.
O'Leary, F. (2020, June 17). Did Rayshard Brooks have a criminal history and was he on probation the night he was shot? The U.S. Sun. Retrieved June 21, 2020, from https://www.the-sun.com/news/998770/rayshard-brooks-criminal-history-probation-atlanta/.
Spocchia, G. (2020, June 17). Ten-year-old boy seen hiding from passing police car ‘because they killed George Floyd'. Independent. Retrieved June 21, 2020, from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/george-floyd-killing-boy-hiding-police-car-footage-a9569986.html.
Ambiguous Loss
"I intentionally hold the opposing ideas of absence and presence, because I have learned that most relationships are indeed both."
- Pauline Boss, Ph.D.
In the last 50 years, our understanding of the spectrum that grief encompasses has grown immensely. Yet, grief is still wildly misunderstood and underrecognized in our culture. For some, we grant specific labels to identify their grief in a concrete way: a widow, bereaved parent, or a sibling of a fallen soldier. Almost always, these labels tell us that someone’s grief is valid because they are grieving the death of a loved one. These labels tell us: “her husband died, you are free to bring a casserole to her door,” or “his sister died in the war, you may write on his Facebook wall that you are thinking about him on Memorial Day.” We know what to do with concrete loss. We know the social rules and instructions that come with each label that we have attached to concrete grievers.
But for many, loss and grief reaches beyond the concrete labels; beyond the dead; beyond a final resolution. This type of grief is now known as “ambiguous loss.” This type of loss carries great unknowns and no societal instructions in how to react. I was first hit with ambiguous loss when we had to hand back the baby girl who was literally minutes away from being our legally adopted daughter. Not only did we have a failed adoption, but she went to a family member that knowingly abused her and did not support any continued relationship with our family.
This little one will have no memory of being a part of our family, even though (in our eyes) she is nothing short of being our first daughter - the one who turned me into a mother and my husband into a father. Suddenly, my husband and I were caught in the thick of grieving our child who was still living. We grieved her future, tucked away her nursery, told our parents that they were no longer grandparents, and were completely heartbroken. We mourned the loss of a future with the daughter we would never see again. But, she is still alive. There was no funeral, memorial, title, or label that told others how they could react.
The first thing I did was turn to my community to look for support groups. But of course, there are no support groups for “childless parents with living children.” When people asked me if I had any children the answer “not yet!” seemed fake; it seemed to deny our baby girl’s existence. But the answer “yes,” did not work either. Yet, no one cutting your hair or chatting at the farmers’ market wants a detailed story of how your daughter is no longer your daughter. Not having anywhere to turn for support became extremely isolating. It made me feel as though my loss must not be real and that I needed to simply “be grateful” it was just a failed adoption, rather than something worse.
This kind of thinking took my mourning to a level of isolated depression. It was not until I started seeing a grief counselor that she explained to me there are many different types of losses. She introduced to me the term “ambiguous loss,” which is “grief without a resolution or without a death” (Boss, 2020). From there, I learned that there has actually been great amounts of research on the stinging pain of ambiguous loss. She shared with me that while we like “black and white” losses in our culture, most loss is ambiguous. When I began opening my world up to honoring all types of loss, no matter how unresolved my loss still was, I was able to truly begin healing.
So what do we call the loss of a father who is mourning his brain dead child that is still right in front of him? How do we honor the grief of the refugee in our neighborhood who does not know if their family members are still alive? At what point do we reach out to the mother of a child on death row? How do we recognize the loss of our friend whose parents are alive, but are lost deep within in the affects of dementia? Are we supposed to give flowers to the childless neighbor who has suffered 8 miscarriages? The way we recognize and make room for grief in our culture either helps heal or further traumatizes those who are suffering from ambiguous loss.
Psychologist Abby Maslin shares that “ambiguous loss is learning to live with a lot of uncertainty, never knowing if you will get an end result” (“Grieving the Living,” 2020). Because of this uncertainty, Dr. Boss explains that this type of loss often “erodes our sense of mastery and destroys our belief in the world as a fair, orderly, and manageable place” (Boss, 2020). Most people facing this kind of loss have faced the “well, at least the person you love is...” comments. This kind of attitude only further isolates the ambiguous griever.
Those who are suffering from ambiguous loss still work through the same grief cycle as someone who is suffering from concrete loss (“Ambiguous Grief,” 2020). Today, research suggests that the methods we use to remember the dead can be used in the same ways to honor ambiguous loss (Hugstad, 2017). Experts also share that “remembering [that] the present does not override the past” is a powerful way to honor what is missing in ambiguous grieving (“Ambiguous Grief,” 2020). While it is our immediate desire to make someone else’s loss concrete, we must understand that this is simply impossible with unresolved grief. Dr. Boss explains that “while such losses cannot be resolved, they can be acknowledged and supported” by professionals, family members, friends, and communities (Boss, 2020). When we make room for these types of losses we are offering our permission to connect with another’s pain rather than push them further into the darkness. Light and healing cannot enter where there is no room.
So how about we bring the casseroles, drop off the flowers, and bake the cookies for those that we see with unresolved grief? Will you look your ambiguously-grieving friend in the eyes and say “no matter how messy your pain is today, I am here for you?” How will you decide to recognize that all grief looks different even if there is painfully no resolution in sight? Will you wait for a concrete label to tell you how to support the grieving or will you pave your own path to honor whatever loss comes your way? One thing is certain when it comes to ambiguous losses: they are not going anywhere. Because of this, it is up to us to make room for this type of unique, yet common grief. Only then can true healing begin.
Sources:
Ambiguous grief: Grieving someone who is still alive. (2020). Retrieved from https://whatsyourgrief.com/ambiguous-grief-grieving-someone-who-is-still-alive/
Boss, P. (2020). About Ambiguous Loss. Retrieved June 20, 2020, from https://www.ambiguousloss.com/about/
Grieving The Loss Of A Person Still Living. (2020). Retrieved from https://americanbrainsociety.org/grieving-the-loss-of-a-person-still-living/
Hugstad, K. (2017, November 30). Grieving the living: When your “lost” loved one is still alive.
Retrieved from https://whatsyourgrief.com/ambiguous-grief-grieving-someone-who-is-still-alive/
By Sadie Jenks - CJ 720 2020 Summer 1
The Impact of Supervised Drug Injection Sites on Public Safety
The Impact of Supervised Drug Injection Sites on Public Safety
Over 70,000 people died as a result of a drug overdose in the United States in 2017. Drug overdose deaths now exceed those caused by firearms, car accidents, homicides, or HIV/AIDS (SCS, n.d.). As drug-related deaths continue to rise, many cities find themselves seeking alternative methods to address the problem. Proposals to open supervised (or safe) injection sites are being introduced in many state legislatures.
A supervised injection site is a place where drug users can use illegal substances with trained professionals on hand to respond in the case of an overdose. Typically, drug users come in with their own drugs and are given clean needles and a clean, safe space to consume them. Trained professionals are available to provide breathing masks, naloxone, and to provide safer injection advice and information about drug treatment and other health services (Gordon, 2018). Staff members do not directly assist in consumption or handle any drugs brought in by users.
There are currently over 100 supervised injections sites operating throughout the world with the majority of them located in Europe. There are currently no safe injection sites legally operating in the United States. Several American cities, such as New York City, Philadelphia, Seattle, and San Francisco, are leading the way in advocating for supervised injection sites as a response to the opioid epidemic. Such a unique and extreme proposal has stirred up a controversy entangling existing laws with varying public opinions on the matter. The controversy of whether or not to sanction and fund such programs is currently being debated in many state legislatures with hopes to begin opening facilities as soon as 2019.
The concept of supervised injection sites is highly controversial due to the stigma attached to substance abuse issues and its conflict with current state and federal laws. The public and political concerns are clear: supervised injection sites promote drug use, they will bring drug users to the neighborhoods they are located in, it is morally and legally wrong to encourage drug use, and so on (Cohen, 2018). Conflict ensues when this perceived enabling of illegal drug use is weighed against the potential positive impact of reducing overdose deaths. State legislatures are now attempting to navigate the murky waters surrounding the establishment of safe injection sites while considering the legality, potential harms to society and the potential benefits to addicts.
References
Cohen, J. (2018). Supervised injection facilities face obstacles, but that shouldn’t stop them. Retrieved from https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20181127.121405/full/
Gordon, E. (2018). What’s the evidence that supervised drug injection sites saves lives. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/09/07/645609248/whats-the-evidence-that-supervised-drug-injection-sites-save-lives
Supervised Consumption Sites. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.drugpolicy.org/issues/supervised-consumption-services
2020 What A Blast!
CJ 720 Trauma and Crisis Intervention Blog Assignment revision 3
Trauma in juvenile offenders
One critical risk-factor leading people to the criminal justice system is trauma. An estimated 93% of youths involved in the system have a history of trauma (Maschi & Schwalbe, 2012, p 21). The earlier that trauma can be addressed, the less likely someone is to later become involved in the legal system. The American Psychological Association (2020) defines trauma as “an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. While these feelings are normal, some people have difficulty moving on with their lives.” Some other examples of traumatic events, specifically involving juveniles, include physical assault, witnessing violence or death, the death of a loved one, and family or school problems (Maschi et al., 2012, p 21).
Following exposure to trauma or stressful experiences, adolescents may struggle with emotional, psychological, or behavioral problems which can lead to high-risk behaviors later on in life (Maschi et al., 2012, p 21). Due to their lack of coping mechanisms, these adolescents may also develop substance abuse issues, which is an additional risk-factor for entering the criminal justice system (Maschi et al., 2012, p 21). Other risk factors include issues at school, younger age at first offense, intellectual level, familial dysfunction, poverty, and family substance abuse, mental health, or legal issues (Greenwald, 2002, p 179). It is necessary for agencies to implement trauma-informed interventions due to the high rate of trauma present in juveniles within the justice system (Maschi et al., 2012, pp 21-22).
Youths involved in the criminal justice system are frequently sentenced to probation supervision versus incarceration, which necessitates the need for programs and services to address trauma and stressful events. Probation officers utilize enforcement of court orders as well as case management techniques to reduce criminogenic risk factors and increase resiliency (Maschi et al., 2012, p 22). State assessments, referrals to treatment programs and direct counseling are techniques that many probation officers implement to harvest success in their client (Mashi et al., 2012, p 22).
Probationers who are non-compliant with their court order are usually threatened by negative sanctions ranging from increased reporting, a violation of probation, or incarceration. Incarceration and isolation may only intensify the pre-existing trauma. As such, alternative approaches are necessary. Mashi et al. (2012) suggest using techniques that involve problem-solving, incentives, counseling and persuasion, such as motivational interviewing (p 22).
Maschi et al. (2012) recommend using trauma-informed assessments as an intervention tool in probation (p 27). By utilizing a trauma screening instrument, probation officers can tailor the services they refer. Mashi et al. (2012) also found that a “supportive, empathic approach” may persuade a juvenile to engage in the recommended treatment programs (p 28). Nelson and Vincent (2018) indicate that juvenile offenders who received services relating to their criminogenic needs based off assessments were 50% less likely to reoffend later in life, which supports the criticalness in addressing trauma and substance abuse in juveniles (p 1137-1138). Miller and Bornstein (2012) indicate that involvement in the legal system can sometimes produce positive results if the individual is able to learn coping skills, relaxation techniques, and utilizes positive social supports (p 3).
Cognitive-behavioral treatment methods are found to be effective in reducing recidivism. Role-playing and art therapy are frequently introduced during treatment due to cognitive and language differences in adolescents (Greenwald, 2002, p 179). Additional effective therapeutic interventions include exposure-based treatments (Greenwald, 2002, p 181).
Effective treatments for trauma also include skills training and therapeutic exposure. Skill training incorporates self-care, relaxation and meditation, role-playing, positive self-talk and reconstructing thoughts in a rational manner (Greenwald, 2002, p 181). Skills training also focuses on social skills, problem-solving methods, self-esteem, and violence (Greenwald, 2002, p 181). Exposure therapy includes desensitization, flooding, prolonged exposure, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) (Greenwald, 2002, p 181-182). Motivation-Adaptive Skills-Trauma Resolution (MASTR) treatment is an intervention that has been proven to reduce stress, stress-related symptoms, and undesirable behavior while improving school performance (Greenwald, 2002, p 252). The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (2018) reports juveniles with strong peer social supports can strengthen positive relationships and recovery through mentoring, coaching, recovery groups, or community building (p 11).
While having involvement in the criminal justice system at a young age can have a negative impact on a juvenile offender, it may ultimately produce a positive outcome. By properly addressing and treating issues surrounding substance abuse, school, home environment, and mental health, specifically trauma, the less likely the juvenile is to reoffend later on in life. There are a variety of treatments that have been proven effective in adolescent populations including cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, EMDR, MASTR, role playing, art therapy, and skills training. These therapeutic interventions may also involve group therapy, which has been proven effective in reducing recidivism and trauma through positive social supports. Overall, juvenile offenders suffering from trauma can ultimately become successful if they are properly assessed at frequent intervals using reliable measurements, the services they are connected to appropriately match their needs, and they create and maintain positive social supports.
References:
American Psychological Association. (2020). Trauma. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma/
Greenwald, R. (Ed.). (2002). Trauma and juvenile delinquency: theory, research, and interventions. Florence: Taylor & Francis Group.
Mashi, T., & Schwalbe, C. (2012 Jun 27). Unraveling probation officers’ practices with youths with histories of trauma and stressful life events. Social Work research 36(1), 21-30. https://doi-org.ezproxy.bu.edu/10.1093/swr/svs007
Miller, M.K., & Bornstein, B.H. (2013). Stress, trauma and wellbeing in the legal system: where do we go from here? Oxford Scholarship Online, 1-19. doi: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199829996.001.0001
Nelson, R.J., & Vincent, G.M. (2018 Jun 27). Matching services to criminogenic needs following comprehensive risk assessment implementation in juvenile probation. Sage Journals, 45(8), 1136-1153. https://doi-org.ezproxy.bu.edu/10.1177/0093854818780923
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. (2018 Apr). Reentry starts here: A guide for youth in long-term juvenile corrections and treatment programs. https://permanent.fdlp.gov/gpo115339/251193.pdf
Vassar, G. (2019 Jan 15). How judges are becoming trauma-informed [image attached]. https://i2.wp.com/lakesidelink.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/bigstock-Depressing-Girl-Sits-On-The-F-238218223.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1