INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR CORRECTIONAL & FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY’s Post

MenHealing welcomes constructive suggestions from members of our survivor community. One powerful example of this invitation in action is our HOME Project (Healing Opportunities for Men Everywhere), which emerged from the seed idea planted by a Weekend of Recovery Alumnus in 2021. The initial proposal for HOME was profoundly simple in intention, but potentially complex for implementation: could we find a way to extend our healing resources to reach survivors who were incarcerated behind bars in legal criminal institutions? Men survivors who may not have disclosed their sexual injuries before becoming entrapped by legal impairment; men survivors who have lost their freedom of movement to access a Weekend of Recovery healing event. That seed sprouted into an active relationship between MenHealing and the Departments of Correction in both Ohio and Indiana; resulting in our creation of curriculum (consisting of text and video resources) for uploading to electronic tablets accessible to 75,000 incarcerated individuals. https://lnkd.in/gw-5eKFs The success of HOME has led us to a dialogue with Edovo, a leading provider of educational technology in corrections. In April 2024, MenHealing and Edovo signed an Agreement for HOME curriculum to be uploaded to tablets in 400+ Correctional Facilities. These tablets are accessible to between 150,000 and 300,000 incarcerated individuals in multiple states, significantly broadening the impact of our efforts. To ensure fair and equal impact, we are currently offering free access for HOME curriculum. However, sustainability of HOME curriculum requires us to secure financial investments from individuals, foundations, and/or corporate supporters. I welcome contact from anyone who may be able to help with my solicitation of help finding financial support of the HOME project.

What is lost in this debate is why such hoods and arrangements were needed in the first instance. Being deliberately spat on, sometimes either a mixture of spittle and blood, is a disgusting event. When it’s into the face and/or eyes it’s even more distressing. Sadly, people suffering from intoxication, mental health events or folks infused with immense anger are those who can resort to this final act response once they have been restrained and prevented from physical resistance. It would be great if removal of spit hoods as a response to such acts could be guaranteed to accompany a refusal to use spit as a weapon, but it cannot. We also need to consider how to protect our first responders as well as those we (society) require them to respond too.

I'm proud to have the opportunity to work with judicial leaders such as Chief Justice Boggs and Justice Zamora who understand that enacting system change requires leadership from the very top to provide much needed support for people with unaddressed behavioral health issues. Read the latest opinion piece from this month's edition of Judicature from the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law: https://lnkd.in/esb2zvc4

Read TAC recommendations to address one of the most pressing issues of our time - the criminalization of severe mental illness. #SMI #treatmentisahumanright #TAC #severementalillness https://lnkd.in/eCYjM4ba

Guest Opinion on Public Safety, Justice, and Mental Health I joined three other District Attorneys in addressing the lack of mental health services and its impact on community safety. Our state must address the backlog of cases at the State Hospital and change current law so that when a court finds someone “permanently incompetent” it triggers admission and care at a mental health facility – not simply a release back into the community without medication or treatment. Also, we must significantly increase support for existing mental health programs - Our successful diversion programs, mental health courts, and alternative sentencing facilities could be expanded with more support from the state. #mentalhealthmatters #publicsafety #justice #reform https://lnkd.in/gHDCPjfv

“The system can [do] a better job of connecting people to services—folks with histories of substance use, mental health needs, trauma. So our work naturally started moving upstream…” Find out more about the core message behind the relaunch of our “Recovery and Reform” team, formerly known as Treatment Courts, and the vision for its future in our latest post on The Arc. We met with the team for a Q&A to discuss the change, their recent report on racial and ethnic disparities in the system, and more: https://lnkd.in/eJyaeh8J

Our Chapter in a New Book is Out! I am thrilled to announce the release of the book, “Innovative Treatment Approaches in Forensic and Correctional Settings.” This comprehensive technical resource is perfect for professionals eager to expand their knowledge in this field. Thank you Michael Siglag for your work. 🔍 Take a Peek Inside the Book! Our chapter, titled “Psychological Intervention with Adolescents with Sexual Behavior Problems,” provides an in-depth look at the implementation of the PBX Program and the behavior change process. In the initial phase, we present a detailed case report and assessment. The PBX Program is designed to intervene with adolescents who have committed sexual offenses, offering psychological support during their sentence, whether they are in a juvenile detention center or in the community. Our goal is to facilitate significant behavioral changes during this critical period. I invite you to explore the book and gain valuable insights into innovative treatment strategies in forensic and correctional settings. #ForensicPsychology #CorrectionalTreatment #AdolescentPsychology #BehaviorChange #PBXProgram

In our latest post on The Arc, we explore the key pillars that help us in #RedefiningSafety: 🤝 Mental health support: Linking people with untreated mental health needs to long-term care in the community—whether or not they have a criminal case—is crucial to lasting public safety. 🛑 Addressing violence: By changing neighborhood norms and training respected members of the community as first responders to defuse conflicts, we can stop the spread of gun violence without adding to the harms of the system. 🛠️ Prioritizing local solutions: We have to rethink our responses to crime by offering people who have been arrested meaningful opportunities for change through community-based services. 📣 Community empowerment: We must place residents themselves at the center of the decisions and policies that impact their communities. That means supporting local, collective decision-making in everything. Read more about our approaches on The Arc today and let us know your thoughts in the comments below: https://bit.ly/3TOvRq8 #Justice #Innovation #PublicSafety

Excellent article. To reduce crime and criminal behavior - you have to protect and create a society the provides safety and the basic foundations for survival so that people no longer need to resort to crime as a means to survive or cope with their struggles.

I attended a conference led by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk on trauma this week. He started off by discussing how using diagnoses can at times hinder the ability to look for strengths in patients and clients. I resonate with this. I feel fortunate that in my work, as a psychotherapist, I help to guide individuals towards shining a light on new perspectives. Things that lessen shame and self-judgement. Here in Canada 80% of men and 86% of women who are incarcerated have experienced at least 1 adverse childhood experience (Correctional Service Canada, 2023). This statistic points towards a need to focus on helping children process adverse childhood experiences. I agreed with Dr. Van Der Kolk’s thoughts that it starts at home and a need for new policies in our legislature. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are defined as traumatic events that happen at any point in one's life from childhood up to adulthood. Having several ACEs can lead to damage in the brain, chronic health issues related to one's immune system in many cases, and hormone balance (Boullier & Blair, 2018). Dr. Van Der Kolk stated during the conference “Trauma is about the present not the past. Being stuck back then without being fully able to engage in your life right now”. He discussed body-based treatments being a great way to help with this phenomenon. Yoga is a great introduction to breathing exercises and somatic therapies that is accessible. I recommend it as well. I suffer from an autoimmune disorder and have found movement and breathwork calming. There is no harm in trying something new! --------------------------------------------- The adverse childhood experiences of Canadian federal offenders: Available information and correctional outcomes. (2023, February 13). Correctional Service Canada / Service correctionnel Canada. https://lnkd.in/e42Z3-EG Boullier, M., & Blair, M. (2018). Adverse childhood experiences. Paediatrics and Child Health, 28(3), 132-137. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthprofessional #compassionatecare