I have spent over a decade working at the intersection of mental health and social/criminal justice systems, but it wasn't until recently when I started collecting ACE scores with the inmates I work with in county jails. Prior to working in the jails, I worked in the state prison system, where I did mental health intake evaluations at the state prison where all offenders in Minnesota enter through. So often, in the back of my mind, was the thought that "if only these guys had the right services and support in place, maybe they wouldn't have ended up in here."
I used to just think it was basic mental heath services that needed to be put in place, primarily for people with SPMI diagnoses, but the medical model that dominated (and still dominates in some places) the decision making processes completely left out the fact that so much of what was manifesting with this population was directly related to trauma. People didn't just need medications and counseling/therapy to deal with and manage their symptoms, they needed to learn about how their childhood trauma literally changed their brain, and that they can heal from this. When I started collecting ACE scores, in order to get a baseline snapshot of an persons past trauma, I found that the average score for an adult male who is likely heading to prison was 7.25; for adult black males it was slightly higher. I cannot tell you how many times I am the first person an inmate comes across that asked them "what happened?" instead of "why did you do what you did?"; the tears flow regularly in my office when these questions are asked.
I ran across this video the other day, and it gave me a lot of hope, and thought it would be worth sharing. I am hoping that the "Trauma Informed Care" approach can continue to be broadened within the criminal justice system, and right now it likely will come one provider/counselor/correctional officer, etc., at a time.
https://vimeo.com/398088783
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/398088783" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/398088783">Step Inside the Circle</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user19735730">Fritzi Horstman</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
PACEs in the Criminal Justice System
Discussion and sharing of resources in working with clients involved in the criminal justice system and how screening for and treating ACEs will lead to successful re-entry of prisoners into the community and reduced recidivism for former offenders.
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