Moving towards a trauma-informed Canadian correctional system

Marginalized and stigmatized peoples characterized by social, economic, and psychological disadvantage are overrepresented within the prison population. Many offenders have various, complex, and inter-related needs that often include a combination of substance abuse, mental health issues, childhood trauma or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These complex populations have historically been managed through the overuse of segregation placements. However, courts in Ontario and British Columbia (BC) recently found segregation to be unconstitutional, prompting the federal government to abolish segregation in Canadian federal institutions and create Structured Intervention Units (SIUs). Yet there are concerns that SIUs do not go far enough in protecting vulnerable in custody offenders and that more effort is needed to prevent the need for segregation through a better understanding of trauma and mental health needs of inmates. This paper will provide recommendations for prevention based interventions and assessments directed towards offenders with complex needs, including training for all frontline staff in trauma-informed practice, present-focused trauma programming, and utilizing actuarial tools to screen offenders at intake to assist in preventing SIU placements. These recommendations will provide agencies like the Correctional Service of Canada with clear strategies to implement in moving towards a trauma-informed system.