How does violent behavior relate to prisons

Future research should focus on the effects of witnessed violence on further marginalized populations, including women, youth, transgender people , people with disabilities , and people of color behind bars. The researchers also recommend policy changes related to their findings. In prisons, they recommend trauma-informed training of correctional staff, assessing incarcerated people to identify those most at risk for victimization, and the expansion of correctional healthcare to include more robust mental health and trauma-informed services.

They also recommend that providers in the reentry system receive training regarding the potential consequences of exposure to extreme violence behind bars, such as PTSD, distrust, and anxiety. While it is important to address the immediate, serious needs of people dealing with the trauma of prison violence, the only way to truly minimize the harm is to limit exposure to the violent prison environment. It also means changing how we respond to violence, as we explore in more depth in our April report about sentences for violent offenses, Reforms without Results.

Vast research with veterans shows that trauma comes not only from direct violent victimization, but can also stem from witnessing violence. Research among non-incarcerated populations further shows that trauma and chronic stress have a number of adverse effects on the human mind and body. And studies done behind bars show us that incarceration takes a toll on physical and mental health, and that accessing adequate care in prison is a challenge in and of itself.

With all of these factors at play and with violence undermining what little rehabilitative effect the justice system hopes to have, we are stacking the cards against incarcerated people. The forthcoming release of data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics Survey of Prison Inmates, expected before , will provide updated information. Based on data from to , the Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that Studies of U.

Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suggest that the lifetime prevalence of PTSD for veterans is anywhere from Other articles Full bio Contact.

I am 31 years old and have spent half of my life in and out of juveniles and prisons. I was denied medical treatment and put in solitary by the prison guards where I suffered kidney failure. I was in a coma and had to do dialysis. I am very paranoid of people and people who abuse their authority. Quick action could slow the spread of the viral pandemic in prisons and jails and in society as a whole.

Can you help us sustain this work? And our other newsletters: Research Library updates? Prison gerrymandering campaign? Contact us to request a meeting. No escape: The trauma of witnessing violence in prison A recent study of recently incarcerated people finds that witnessing violence is a frequent and traumatizing experience in prison. Violence behind bars is inescapable and traumatizing Violence in prison is unavoidable. Footnotes The forthcoming release of data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics Survey of Prison Inmates, expected before , will provide updated information.

One response: Martin Mendoza jr says:. December 2, at pm. Stay Informed Email:. Prison Policy Initiative newsletter? Research Library? Prison gerrymandering? Recommended Reading:. Five ways the criminal justice system could slow the pandemic Quick action could slow the spread of the viral pandemic in prisons and jails and in society as a whole.

The "services" offered by jails don't make them safe places for vulnerable people Even in the best of times, jails are not good at providing health and social services. The most important statistics from our work on policing Racial disparities, bloated budgets, the criminalization of homelessness, and more. Is social distancing possible behind bars? It's even harder than on cruise ships or in nursing homes. Incidents of sexual victimization of incarcerated people perpetrated by staff and incarcerated people.

Survey of Sexual Victimization, For example, Bell characterizes expressive violence as that which grows out of some kind of interpersonal altercation in which one person intends harm on another. Persons involved in expressive violence typically know each other, are similar in age, and frequently share the same race and ethnic background.

Instrumental violence, in contrast, is usually premeditated and motive-driven e. Typically, parties involved do not know one another and the harm caused is secondary to the motive. Finally, gang-related violence results from gang membership and related activities involving retaliation or revenge. These distinctions imply that different intervention strategies may be required to effectively prevent the various kinds of violent behavior.

Furthermore, experts believe that expressive violence may be appropriately treated through public health intervention techniques, as opposed to socioeconomic interventions for instrumental violence and political interventions for gang violence. All three kinds of violent behaviors are prevalent in society and, too, in correctional facility populations.

Despite the advances in violence prevention strategies, techniques, and interventions, very little dissemination and implementation have occurred. However, these interventions would be particularly appropriate for use in correctional facilities where youth are being incarcerated for violent crimes. This suggests an important role for correctional health programs, which might begin to address violent behavior in the correctional environment as a public health problem. Perhaps an equally important role for correctional health programs is to identify and treat the incarcerated individuals who have lived with violence in their lives.

Some experts believe that certain kinds of violent behaviors can be effectively treated, enabling people to better cope with violence in their lives. Since most of those who are incarcerated eventually return to their communities, these interventions and treatments might help to reduce violence in the community.

Correctional health programs are an important public health resource in the identification, care, and treatment of individuals who have been involved in violent acts.

Specifically, correctional health services should take the following measures:. Adopted by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care Board of Directors September 19, April — reaffirmed with revision October — reaffirmed with revision October — reaffirmed with revision.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Violence prevention. Hahn, R. Task Force on Community Preventive Services.