Correcting Treatment in Corrections

All the officers from the youth program would remain at the facility and transition to the new trauma program. The department hired one new member to the Riverside team. Rhonda Champagne, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Ms. Champagne accepted the position as the trauma therapist. She would assist the development of a trauma treatment agenda and help lead the team in the development of a trauma-informed and trauma-responsive treatment facility. A simple task with her credentials and extensive experience.

There was only one thing standing in the way. The policies and procedures developed to uphold a safe and secure environment were often counterproductive to supporting a treatment environment. It did not take long before the therapist was able to put a face to these policies and procedures. Lieutenant Michael Johnson became that 'face' as the housing unit manager.

Coming from totally different perspectives the lieutenant and the therapist battled to work together to implement a trauma informed treatment program inside the walls of a correctional facility. As they argued through their conflicting perspectives, they soon learned they had something in common, which would prove to be the joining factor. Despite their differences they both wanted the women in their treatment program to overcome trauma, addiction and criminal behaviors while maintaining a safe and secure environment throughout the process.

The reader will follow the therapist and lieutenant, as if a fly on the wall, during the many debates between the elements of treatment and security. This eavesdropping on dialog provides the reader to come to their own conclusion as to the best way to implement a trauma treatment program inside a correctional setting. This style of writing is exceptionally useful to the undergraduate's ability to apply deep introspection in their upcoming career in any field dealing with human behavior but particularly in criminology and social work.