ARRESTING TRAUMA

The research project aims to assess social conditions this population faces in their communities that lead to incarceration and how the criminalization of women, girls, and gender non-conforming individuals correlates with trauma.

We find that arrested and incarcerated women, girls, and gender non-conforming individuals are experiencing or experienced one or more of the following at home: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, parental separation due to incarceration, or substance abuse.

After being arrested, they are further traumatized by having to abide by predominantly male prison standards and the challenges of incarceration. With no treatment, many are left unprepared and unable to recover from trauma and incarceration.

This report, created by the Safe Return Community, puts forth a set of recommendations to stop arresting trauma and start providing care to address trauma in our community of women, girls, and gender non-conforming individuals.