Citation

Bloom T, Bradshaw GA. Peace Conflict J. Peace Psychol. 2021; 28(1): 140-143.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/pac0000572

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The United States spends over $80 billion to hold 2.3 million individuals in prison. Despite these expenditures, 68% of released prisoners are arrested within 3 years of reentry, 79% within 6 years, and 83% within 9 years. Incarcerated citizens leave prison more alienated, more traumatized, and less capable of prosocial skills than when they entered prison. The reasons for prison rehabilitation failure are clear. The prevailing philosophy in prisons is based on punishment, which psychology has demonstrated in countless studies, exacerbates fear, anger, aggression, deception, and often proclivities for depression and suicide. Furthermore, the majority of prisoners have experienced abuse and trauma prior to incarceration. The punishment-based prison culture functions as retraumatization by maintaining a sense of fear and insecurity and promulgating a distrust of authority, all of which lead to hostility and violence which then, exports to the community outside upon release. Observations from over 8 years of working with prisoners deemed to be "violent" in a high security state prison are provided along with supporting research that offers more effective alternative approaches. We provide specific recommendations regarding the implementation of trauma-informed processes to resolve these challenges which will significantly improve public safety. © 2021. American Psychological Association

Language: en

Keywords

United States; Trauma; culture; violence; Violence; safety; Rehabilitation; Incarceration; philosophy; reform process; Prison reform