This document outlines an approach to trauma-informed work with incarcerated women. It discusses the typical inmate profile, which often includes histories of physical and verbal abuse, domestic violence, and substance abuse issues linked to untreated trauma. Therapeutic techniques described include intake processes, the "box analogy" for conceptualizing trauma, behavioral chain analysis based on DBT principles, and case presentations of two inmates illustrating common trauma histories and behaviors. The overall approach emphasizes addressing trauma and developing coping skills to treat underlying issues and support recovery.

1. Trauma Informed Work with
Incarcerated Women
Felice De Ruggiero, LICSW

2. “Why would you want to work
in a jail?”
 Layout of WIT Program
 Typical inmate profile
 Programming offered
 Chance to do individual & group work

3. Preparing to Do the Work
 Educate about the therapy process
 Do a thorough intake
 Ask about the circumstances of most recent
incarceration
 Using the “box analogy” when working with
trauma survivors

4. Emotions and Addiction: Linking Trauma
and Substance Abuse
 Using to not feel and to mask symptoms
 Poorly developed coping skills
 Replacement of negative behaviors in sobriety
 Role of support network in recovery process

5. Behavioral Chain Analysis
 Based on DBT principles/Marsha Linehan
 Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion
regulation, interpersonal effectiveness
 Chain analysis focuses on sequential events
that form a behavior chain
 Useful in treating BPD, TBI, ASD, SIB,
sexual abuse survivors and addiction

6. Case Presentation
 Dawn, an AA female in her early 30s serving a 2 yr. sentence for
identity theft and larceny over $250
 Has some college, on leave from the Army
 Hx of physical and verbal abuse and witness to DV
 Family dynamics and adoption
 Forms of punishment
 Some hx of alcohol abuse but stealing/shopping addiction are primary
vices
 Earliest memory of stealing
 Stealing from family vs. friends vs. strangers
 Can empathy be taught?

7. Case Presentation
 Bea, a 40 yr old separated mixed race female serving a 2 yr. sentence for Sex
conduct for a Fee, B & E in the Nighttime and A & B on a 60 yr. Old Disabled
Person with Injury
 Went to the 9th grade
 Hx of physical, sexual and verbal abuse as a child and DV as an adult
 Family dynamics and hx of foster home placements
 Long hx of polysubstance dependence since age 14
 Convictions for violent offenses
 Hx of PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, TBI and Hepatitis C
 Hx of psychosis related to trauma
 Religion as a coping mechanism

8. Further Reading
 Linehan, M. (1993). Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality
Disorder. The Guilford Press.
 McKay, M., Wood, J., & Brantley, J. (2007). The Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills
Workbook: Practical DBT Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal
Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation and Tolerance. New Harbinger Publications.
 Najavitz, L.M. (2002). Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and
Substance Abuse.The Guilford Press.
 Padykula, N. & Conklin, P. The Self Regulation Model of Attachment Trauma and
Addiction. Clinical Social Work Journal, Volume 38, Number 4, December 2010, pp.
351-360.