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Female incarceration rates have been steadily climbing for the past 30 years with over one million women currently under criminal justice supervision (incarceration, probation or parole). The majority of these women have experienced interpersonal violence as children and as adults. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse disorders are the most common mental health problems that incarcerated women are treated for. The experience of incarceration with its sense of powerlessness and isolation serves as a trigger for past traumatic episodes creating a cascading flood of emotional, behavioral and psychological challenges. Women experience incarceration differently than men do and as survivors of trauma and family violence need the support and safety that groups addressing their victimization histories provide. And yet there are very few survivor groups in existence in our nation's correctional facilities. |
The women doing time will eventually be released to our communities and neighborhoods. Abusive relationships has created much pain for them and
paved huge pathways for criminality and substance abuse. Healing relationships can change that! By linking arms as sisters on the outside and forming
a bridge to our sisters on the inside, we can make a difference.
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Our educational curriculum has been field-tested and has demonstrated effectiveness. The Scope and Sequence (above) outlines the major topics covered during the six sessions. The Mentoring and Support Group Facilitator Manual provides extensive material for continuing the discussion that educational class begins a well as expressive activities and suggested resources to enhance the group experience. Our experience has shown that if given a safe environment with qualified and competent facilitators, incarcerated women will begin the hard work of healing and change. |
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