Abstract: An Analysis of Predictors of Trauma-Related Cognitions Associated with Pre-Incarceration Trauma, Incarceration-Based Trauma, and Security Housing Levels for Incarcerated Women (Society for Social Work and Research 26th Annual Conference - Social Work Science for Racial, Social, and Political Justice)

711P An Analysis of Predictors of Trauma-Related Cognitions Associated with Pre-Incarceration Trauma, Incarceration-Based Trauma, and Security Housing Levels for Incarcerated Women

Schedule:
Sunday, January 16, 2022
Marquis BR Salon 6, ML 2 (Marriott Marquis Washington, DC)
* noted as presenting author
Joi D. Anderson, PhD, Assistant Professor, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC
Ronald O. Pitner, PhD, Interim Dean of the College of Social Work and Associate Dean of Curriculum, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Background and Purpose: The prison environment acts as an additional stressor, re-traumatizing female inmates who already have extensive trauma histories. Previous research has shown a relationship between trauma and the development of Trauma-Related Cognitions-TRCs. This study examined the relationship between trauma prior to incarceration (Pre-Incarceration Trauma-PIT), during incarceration (Incarceration-Based Trauma-IBT), Trauma-Related Cognitions (TRCs), and Housing Security Levels (No-Minimum/Minimum). Housing Security levels often dictate whether female inmates have access to programming and treatment protocol.

Hypotheses: No-Minimum security level housing, with IBT and PIT, will be a better predictor of TRCs than Minimum security housing with IBT and PIT.

Methods: A cross-sectional research design was employed using a stratified random sampling procedure. The strata used was housing security levels 1-4. Housing security levels include levels 1 and 2 (least restrictive/Minimum) and levels 3 and 4 (most restrictive/No- Minimum). The study was conducted in three prisons (DCI, ORW and NEPRC). The study sample (N=250) female inmates. Mean age: 36.2 (min 20, max 80); education: 94 (38.8%) high school/GED, 85 (35.5%) some college and 201 were mothers (82.4%). Two multiple linear regression analyses were utilized to examine the relationships between TRCs, No-Minimum /Minimum housing security levels, PIT , IBT, and Demographics (age, race, socioeconomic status, and prison facilities).

Results:

(1) (Minimum) Overall, the IV’s in the model were statistically significant predictors of TRCs [Model F(10, 112) = 3.10, p < .01], and accounted for 22% of the variance. Higher levels of TRCs were primarily predicted by higher levels of IBT (β = .28, p < .01). PIT and demographics were not statistically significant in this model.

(2) (No Minimum) Overall, the IV’s in the model were statistically significant predictors of TRCs [Model F(10, 82) = 5.58, p < .001], and accounted for 41% of the variance. Higher levels of TRCs were primarily predicted by higher levels of IBT (β = .30, p < .01) followed by PIT (β = .26, p < .01). Lower levels of TRCs were associated with being an older female inmate (β = -.25, p <.01) and being housed at NEPRC (β = -.25, p < .05) where trauma-informed care was provided.

Conclusions and Implications: The prevalence of trauma experienced prior to incarceration (PIT) and the prison environment (IBT) were associated with higher levels of TRCs in No-Minimum Housing. Results affirm the need for trauma-informed care and a re-assessment of the prison classification system that determines housing security levels for female prisons. The current system, a risk-based system, was developed for male prisons and does not take into account the needs/experiences of incarcerated women. Prison misconduct has been cited as one reason for female inmates being placed in higher security housing. For instance, resisting a prison strip search and/or pat down procedures. Due to prior trauma, a large percentage of incarcerated women may be more likely to be assessed and classified as a problem. Inmates housed in maximum security housing are often not eligible to receive trauma-related treatment or employment and education services.