Responding to Female Inmates’ Prior Histories of Violent Victimisation

The central theme of this thesis is the analysis of female inmates’ experiences following participation in a Trauma Specific Treatment Program (TSTP). Three separate but inter-related studies were undertaken to determine: if differences existed between an inmate sample (offending) and a matched community sample (non-offending): if a trauma-specific service would work in a prison: and finally, what the experiences of the participants and staff were of the trauma-specific service. Study 1 determined that there were marked differences between the community and custodial populations, with the custodial population reporting higher levels of polyvictimisation and more offenders, characterised by: more familial offenders, a marked difference in diagnoses, and experiencing victimisation across each point of the lifespan.
This study provided support for the literature which suggests that the community and custody samples significantly differed in regard to their trauma histories. Having determined that there were differences between the two populations, Study 2 then investigated the effects of a TSTP within both an inmate population, and matched community sample. Firstly, the study found that baseline Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) scores were unaffected by the prison environment. Next, when participants completed the TSTP, their corresponding DASS scores across all three DASS subscales, had significantly reduced, indicating improved wellbeing and a reduction in emotional disturbance. The inmate cohort also demonstrated positive effects of the TSTP after the treatment period had ended. Finally, Study 3, based on the rich testimonies of the participants, provided support for implementing the study as a standard program, and recommended the implementation of a model of trauma-informed correctional care.