Trauma-Informed Care in Texas: Part III

“When exposed to coercion, cruelty, violence, neglect, or rejection, a child may cope with indifference, defiance of rules and authority, or aggression as a self-protective counter-reaction. These defensive attempts to overcome or resist the helplessness and isolation caused by victimization often are motivated by the desire to regain the ability to feel safe and in control rather than by the callous indifference often assumed to be driving delinquency. Thus, traumatic stress, if not addressed in juvenile justice services, may contribute to a downward spiral of increasingly deviant and risky behavior, re-traumatization, and chronic juvenile (and adult criminal) justice involvement.” — Ko, et al., 2008. “Hurt people hurt people.” — unknown This is the last posting in the TI series on trauma-informed care (TIC) and its use and promise in Texas. This posting discusses trauma among incarcerated persons and how TIC can be used to improve public investment in incarcerated