How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Criminal Justice System Responses
Information
Recorded
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Educational Goal
Participants will gain understanding of how trauma impacts people involved in the justice system.
Description
Experiencing trauma can have devastating effects on an individual. This appears to be the case for justice-involved women and men, who have very high rates of trauma. People working with justice-involved people must learn about trauma, so they can respond in ways that avoid re-traumatizing, ensure the safety of all, reduce recidivism, and promote recovery. Learning about trauma helps to ease management, helps keep people out of the justice system, and helps staff do their jobs. When responding to someone, it is important to keep in mind that how we think about an issue will affect how we react or respond to it. Understanding trauma can shape our responses.
Target Audience
- Counselor
- Marriage & Family Therapist
- Psychologist
- Social Worker
- Substance Use Disorder Professionals
Presenters
John Watts is a criminal justice practitioner and educator with over 18 years of experience working in the criminal justice system. Currently, he serves as an adult probation officer with the Connecticut Judicial Branch and adjunct professor at Gateway Community College. John is a certified trauma trainer with the SAMHSA’s GAINS Center and holds certifications as a Criminal Justice Addiction Professional (CCJP) and in Forensic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (F-CBT). John has a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Charter Oak State College, a master’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership from Albertus Magnus College, and is currently pursuing his doctorate degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University.