Empowerment Approaches with Empowerment Approaches with Offenders: Techniques that HealOffenders: Techniques that Heal

How does one work in the system without How does one work in the system without becoming the system? becoming the system? Two social workers who work Two social workers who work at York Correctional Institution, at York Correctional Institution, Connecticut’s only female prison, will discuss empowerment Connecticut’s only female prison, will discuss empowerment

theory and practice as it is applied to treatment of female theory and practice as it is applied to treatment of female offenders. Techniques and programs that empower the offenders. Techniques and programs that empower the

incarcerated women, asincarcerated women, as

well as the social worker, in an effort to achieve social justice will be well as the social worker, in an effort to achieve social justice will be shared and discussed.shared and discussed.

WelcomeWelcome

Elizabeth Allen, LCSWElizabeth Allen, LCSW

• Elizabeth Allen has worked at York Correctional Institution for eighteen Elizabeth Allen has worked at York Correctional Institution for eighteen years as a clinical social worker.years as a clinical social worker.

• Her innovative peer mentoring program employs the concept of “reciprocal Her innovative peer mentoring program employs the concept of “reciprocal rehabilitation” and has been presented at NOFSW, NASW, and the National rehabilitation” and has been presented at NOFSW, NASW, and the National Commission of Correctional Managed Health Care conferences. She has Commission of Correctional Managed Health Care conferences. She has additionally presented on topics of empowerment practice with female additionally presented on topics of empowerment practice with female offenders and peer mentoring programs as effective interventions for offenders and peer mentoring programs as effective interventions for offenders.offenders.

• In addition to providing individual and group treatment to female In addition to providing individual and group treatment to female offenders, she works collaboratively with custody and multidisciplinary offenders, she works collaboratively with custody and multidisciplinary staff in order to provide gender-responsive and trauma-informed services staff in order to provide gender-responsive and trauma-informed services for female offenders during their incarceration.for female offenders during their incarceration.

• Ms. Allen is presently working towards her Ph.D. in social work at UCONN. Ms. Allen is presently working towards her Ph.D. in social work at UCONN. Her dissertation topic will be female offenders, empowerment theory and Her dissertation topic will be female offenders, empowerment theory and successful reintegration.successful reintegration.

• She is currently an adjunct faculty at UCONN – School of Social Work and She is currently an adjunct faculty at UCONN – School of Social Work and teaching Research Methods to MSW students.teaching Research Methods to MSW students.

Jessie Loss, LCSWJessie Loss, LCSW

• Jessie Loss, LCSW has been working with female offenders at York Jessie Loss, LCSW has been working with female offenders at York Correctional Institution for 5 years providing inpatient and outpatient care Correctional Institution for 5 years providing inpatient and outpatient care for women with intensive mental health needs. for women with intensive mental health needs.

• She currently works in the Safe Passage Day Treatment program with an She currently works in the Safe Passage Day Treatment program with an interdisciplinary team providing group and individual treatment. interdisciplinary team providing group and individual treatment.

• Jessie works in collaboration with custody staff in order to provide trauma Jessie works in collaboration with custody staff in order to provide trauma and gender-informed treatment to offenders during their incarceration. and gender-informed treatment to offenders during their incarceration.

• She is bilingual and provides culturally competent translation and She is bilingual and provides culturally competent translation and supportive therapy with Spanish speaking female offenders. supportive therapy with Spanish speaking female offenders.

• She presented at NOFSW, 2011 in New Orleans on the topic of integrative She presented at NOFSW, 2011 in New Orleans on the topic of integrative day treatment with offenders. She has also presented on empowerment day treatment with offenders. She has also presented on empowerment practice with female offenders at NASW conferences. practice with female offenders at NASW conferences.

• Jessie recently opened a private practice providing collaborative Jessie recently opened a private practice providing collaborative community treatment with area hospitals and providers.community treatment with area hospitals and providers.

Problem Statement:Problem Statement:

Female OffendersFemale Offenderso The number of incarcerated women in prisons more than doubled The number of incarcerated women in prisons more than doubled

between 1990 and 1999, outpacing the rise in the number of between 1990 and 1999, outpacing the rise in the number of incarcerated men (Beck, 2000). incarcerated men (Beck, 2000).

o Are members of several oppressed and disempowered groupsAre members of several oppressed and disempowered groups

o Have high rates of substance abuse, trauma experiences, and lack Have high rates of substance abuse, trauma experiences, and lack of educational and vocational services. of educational and vocational services.

o Pathways to Crime – different from malesPathways to Crime – different from males

o Correctional environments are oppressive by nature and therefore Correctional environments are oppressive by nature and therefore providing services that are empowering in nature, can be providing services that are empowering in nature, can be challenging. challenging.

Unintended Consequences of Mass Unintended Consequences of Mass IncarcerationIncarceration

• RacialRacial

• Poverty Poverty

• Education and EmploymentEducation and Employment

• Children and FamiliesChildren and Families

• Disadvantaged CommunitiesDisadvantaged Communities

RacialRacial• Race and class divisions in the risks of imprisonment ~ 6 to 8 times Race and class divisions in the risks of imprisonment ~ 6 to 8 times

higher for young black men compared to young whites. For black higher for young black men compared to young whites. For black men in their mid-thirties at the end of the 1990s, prison records men in their mid-thirties at the end of the 1990s, prison records were nearly twice as common as bachelor’s degrees (Pettit & were nearly twice as common as bachelor’s degrees (Pettit & Western, 2004). Western, 2004).

• Black males have a 29% lifetime chance of serving at least a year Black males have a 29% lifetime chance of serving at least a year in prison (6X higher than for White males). in prison (6X higher than for White males).

• Between the 1980s and 1990s ~ 400% increase in the chances that Between the 1980s and 1990s ~ 400% increase in the chances that a drug arrest would result in a prison sentence. a drug arrest would result in a prison sentence.

• The increase in the disproportionate rates of incarcerated blacks is The increase in the disproportionate rates of incarcerated blacks is linked to key economical, political and cultural factors related to linked to key economical, political and cultural factors related to ghetto poverty (Bobo & Thompson, 2008).ghetto poverty (Bobo & Thompson, 2008).

• Black men are being sentenced to prisons at a faster rate than they Black men are being sentenced to prisons at a faster rate than they are enrolling in college. In 2002, approximately 791,000 went to are enrolling in college. In 2002, approximately 791,000 went to prison as opposed to 603, 000 were in higher education. prison as opposed to 603, 000 were in higher education.

• State spending on criminal justice increased 6X the rate of state State spending on criminal justice increased 6X the rate of state

spending on higher education. spending on higher education.

PovertyPoverty

• The United States has the highest poverty rate for female-headed The United States has the highest poverty rate for female-headed households and the largest gender gap related to poverty. households and the largest gender gap related to poverty.

• In 2001, over one-half (52%) of the 32.9 million people (including In 2001, over one-half (52%) of the 32.9 million people (including children) living in poverty were women. children) living in poverty were women.

• 49% of families living below the poverty level were headed by 49% of families living below the poverty level were headed by single women. Poor women without state assistance are 3.3 times single women. Poor women without state assistance are 3.3 times more likely to reoffend than recipients (Holtfreter, et al., 2004). more likely to reoffend than recipients (Holtfreter, et al., 2004).

• Women with fewer educational achievements, lower self-efficacy, Women with fewer educational achievements, lower self-efficacy, and problems related to employment and financial assistance are and problems related to employment and financial assistance are significantly more likely to be incarcerated (Salisbury & Van significantly more likely to be incarcerated (Salisbury & Van Voorhis, 2009).Voorhis, 2009).

Education and EmploymentEducation and Employment

• Women’s poverty ~ attributed to limited educational & vocational Women’s poverty ~ attributed to limited educational & vocational skills, drug/alcohol dependence, child care responsibilities, and skills, drug/alcohol dependence, child care responsibilities, and illegal opportunities offering more lucrative returns illegal opportunities offering more lucrative returns

• Only 40% of women in state prison report full-time employment Only 40% of women in state prison report full-time employment prior to their arrest, and 2/3 report their highest hourly wage to prior to their arrest, and 2/3 report their highest hourly wage to be no higher than $6.50 (BJS, 1999).be no higher than $6.50 (BJS, 1999).

• With every year of increase in education, the chance the women’s With every year of increase in education, the chance the women’s earnings would be from illegal means decreased by 18%. earnings would be from illegal means decreased by 18%.

• School and employment significantly impact the likelihood of School and employment significantly impact the likelihood of rearrest. rearrest. – As education increased, recidivism rates decreased. As education increased, recidivism rates decreased. – Women working in a regular job are 83% less likely less likely Women working in a regular job are 83% less likely less likely

to be arrested than women who are unemployed. to be arrested than women who are unemployed. – Women attending school are 90% less likely to be arrested Women attending school are 90% less likely to be arrested

than women not in school (Uggen & Kruttschnitt, 1998).than women not in school (Uggen & Kruttschnitt, 1998).

Children & FamilyChildren & Family

• Generations are being lost to the prison system and as a result, Generations are being lost to the prison system and as a result, children, families and communities become more vulnerable, children, families and communities become more vulnerable,

defenseless, and impoverished.defenseless, and impoverished.

• Broken mother-child bonds can potentially lead to female Broken mother-child bonds can potentially lead to female offenders experiencing a life of meaningless misery and doom offenders experiencing a life of meaningless misery and doom their children to becoming victims of the criminal justice system their children to becoming victims of the criminal justice system as they repeat the cycle of poverty, crime and drugs (Geiger & as they repeat the cycle of poverty, crime and drugs (Geiger & Fischer, 2003). Fischer, 2003).

Disadvantaged communitiesDisadvantaged communities• The consequences of imprisonment on minority communities and our The consequences of imprisonment on minority communities and our

democracy are profound.democracy are profound.

• Concentrated poverty increases the likelihood of social isolation Concentrated poverty increases the likelihood of social isolation (from mainstream institutions), joblessness, dropping out of school, (from mainstream institutions), joblessness, dropping out of school, lower educational achievement, involvement in crime, unsuccessful lower educational achievement, involvement in crime, unsuccessful behavioral development family management behavioral development family management

• Concentrated poverty adversely affects one’s chances in life Concentrated poverty adversely affects one’s chances in life beginning in early childhood and adolescence. beginning in early childhood and adolescence.

• As individuals are recycled between prison and community –increases As individuals are recycled between prison and community –increases the social disorganization of poor, disadvantaged communities and the social disorganization of poor, disadvantaged communities and results in higher crime rates in those communitiesresults in higher crime rates in those communities

• Community collaboration and active engagement is the most Community collaboration and active engagement is the most effective crime fighting tools & it is more difficult to turn to the effective crime fighting tools & it is more difficult to turn to the communities and ask for assistance in neighborhood-based communities and ask for assistance in neighborhood-based approaches if we increase alienation b/w community and justice approaches if we increase alienation b/w community and justice agencies agencies

Empowerment Theory & PracticeEmpowerment Theory & Practice

• Assumes that society consists of separate groups Assumes that society consists of separate groups possessing different levels of power and control over possessing different levels of power and control over resources. resources.

• The goal is social justiceThe goal is social justice• Social problems stem not from individual deficits, but Social problems stem not from individual deficits, but

from the failure of the society to meet the needs of all its from the failure of the society to meet the needs of all its membersmembers

• In social work, it merged from efforts to develop more In social work, it merged from efforts to develop more effective and responsive services for women and people effective and responsive services for women and people of color of color

• A process of increasing personal, interpersonal, or A process of increasing personal, interpersonal, or political power so that individuals can take action to political power so that individuals can take action to improve their life situationsimprove their life situations

• Integrates both individual change and social Integrates both individual change and social changechange and believes that many of the negative and believes that many of the negative symptoms that emerge in powerless clients stem from symptoms that emerge in powerless clients stem from their strategies to cope with a hostile world. their strategies to cope with a hostile world.

Desistance TheoryDesistance Theory

• Recognizes the broader social contexts and conditions that Recognizes the broader social contexts and conditions that are required to support change.are required to support change.

• Impact of disadvantaged communities are not just going to Impact of disadvantaged communities are not just going to disappear because the offender wants to desist –both are disappear because the offender wants to desist –both are neededneeded

• Pathway to desistance for females ~self-efficacy and Pathway to desistance for females ~self-efficacy and empowerment are key elements empowerment are key elements

ParadigmsParadigms

• Deficit paradigm ~ individual focused, they need Deficit paradigm ~ individual focused, they need to be fixed and are incapable of doing it by to be fixed and are incapable of doing it by themselves and therefore need to be “fixed” by themselves and therefore need to be “fixed” by eternal forces.eternal forces.

• Empowerment Paradigm ~ Combination of Empowerment Paradigm ~ Combination of individual change and structural support. Do not individual change and structural support. Do not fix the offender but provide infrastructure to fix the offender but provide infrastructure to promote healthier communities to support the promote healthier communities to support the offenders.offenders.

Commonly cited values of Social Commonly cited values of Social Work ProfessionWork Profession

Individual

worth &

dignity

Respect of

persons

Valuing individuals’ capacity for change

Client self-determination

Providing

individuals with

opportunity to

realize their

potential

Seeking to

meet

individuals’

common human

needs

Commitment

to social

change and

social justice

Seeking to provide individuals with adequate resources and services to meet basic needs

nondiscrimination

Client

empowerment

Equal

opportunityRespect of diversity

Confidentiality

Elizabeth Allen, LCSW

““Sisters Standing Strong”Sisters Standing Strong”

Offender Mentoring ProgramOffender Mentoring ProgramYork Correctional InstitutionYork Correctional Institution

Niantic, ConnecticutNiantic, Connecticut

Sisters Standing Strong Program Goals:Sisters Standing Strong Program Goals:

• To provide an opportunity for the female offenders to stand as To provide an opportunity for the female offenders to stand as role models for others.role models for others.

• To provide an opportunity for placement into a program that To provide an opportunity for placement into a program that promotes pride, growth and empowerment for the helpers.promotes pride, growth and empowerment for the helpers.

•   To aid in the adjustment of women who are newly admitted.To aid in the adjustment of women who are newly admitted.

• To provide an outlet where the female offenders can receive To provide an outlet where the female offenders can receive peer-support and insight into common adjustment issues.peer-support and insight into common adjustment issues.

• To reduce the number of “crisis” calls and MH referrals for To reduce the number of “crisis” calls and MH referrals for adjustment issues.adjustment issues.

Reflections on Peer Support Reflections on Peer Support

“We are not alone in our feelings. Only another woman who is in the same situation as you can truly understand.”

“To be able to share feelings with others,

to open up and not have to feel ashamed

or embarrassed, will help the shy girls to

come out of their shells and find

similarities with other inmates.”

“The ladies took the time

to listen to my

complaining and cry of

help. Somebody actually

cared about the way I am

feeling.”

“This program will

definitely save women

from losing all hope, and

help us to begin to believe

a little more in ourselves

and having the strength

to do our time.”

Sisters Standing Sisters Standing StrongStrong

Video ClipVideo Clip

Success and Community GrowthSuccess and Community Growth

Dear Liz, Mary, Jill and all my Sisters,Dear Liz, Mary, Jill and all my Sisters,

It’s been a little while since I last made contact. I wanted to write to tell all It’s been a little while since I last made contact. I wanted to write to tell all of you that I have not forgotten about you. Indeed, you are in my heart of you that I have not forgotten about you. Indeed, you are in my heart and on my mind every day. I used to say that once I was released and I and on my mind every day. I used to say that once I was released and I got a car I would drive down there and just sit across the street and got a car I would drive down there and just sit across the street and remember. And so I did just that this past weekend. For a small window of remember. And so I did just that this past weekend. For a small window of time the sun shined down on us and under blue skies I walked around the time the sun shined down on us and under blue skies I walked around the ball field just outside that barbed wire fence and I reconnected with each of ball field just outside that barbed wire fence and I reconnected with each of you.you.

Everything has been going so incredibly great for me and that is when I Everything has been going so incredibly great for me and that is when I need to be reminded of all I have come through most. I used to be a self-need to be reminded of all I have come through most. I used to be a self-sabotager. I did not believe that I deserved to have a good and healthy sabotager. I did not believe that I deserved to have a good and healthy life, and so when things were going good in my life, I would do things to life, and so when things were going good in my life, I would do things to sabotage them. Well –not today. I work real hard to have all that I have sabotage them. Well –not today. I work real hard to have all that I have and I refuse to let anything or anyone – including myself, destroy them or and I refuse to let anything or anyone – including myself, destroy them or take them away from me. YOU – all of you, taught me that.take them away from me. YOU – all of you, taught me that.

I also learned how important it is to give back. Sister’s Standing Strong I also learned how important it is to give back. Sister’s Standing Strong showed me that there is so much more to be gained in giving, or rather showed me that there is so much more to be gained in giving, or rather sharing, with others. You women have changed my life and I thank you for sharing, with others. You women have changed my life and I thank you for sharing your lives with me.sharing your lives with me.

There are some really great things happening out here that will positively There are some really great things happening out here that will positively impact those of you in there. I know right now you are experiencing impact those of you in there. I know right now you are experiencing changes that are probably making you crazy, but rest assured, they are changes that are probably making you crazy, but rest assured, they are temporary –all of that is-and good things are brewing. We are in a great temporary –all of that is-and good things are brewing. We are in a great position politically for some serious changes to happen, and time is not position politically for some serious changes to happen, and time is not holding anyone back from making those changes happen. HOPE, BELIEVE holding anyone back from making those changes happen. HOPE, BELIEVE and so it shall be.and so it shall be.

Keep your heads up, and lean on one another, even if you don’t or can’t Keep your heads up, and lean on one another, even if you don’t or can’t see the value in what you have today there- I promise you, you will see it see the value in what you have today there- I promise you, you will see it when you leave.when you leave.

Blessings to all, Blessings to all,

Deborah RDeborah R

Jessica Loss, LCSW

Jessica Loss, LCSW

Empowerment based mental Empowerment based mental health treatment health treatment

programmingprogramming

Intensive Day Treatment in Prison

Interdisciplinary & Collaborative treatment Interdisciplinary & Collaborative treatment approach approach

• Ongoing monitoring, assessment, support, treatment, Ongoing monitoring, assessment, support, treatment, collaboration with adjunct services, and discharge collaboration with adjunct services, and discharge planning.planning.

• Began in 2008 with 16 participants, currently have 32 Began in 2008 with 16 participants, currently have 32 participantsparticipants

• Individualized treatment plans & schedules- Track 1 and Individualized treatment plans & schedules- Track 1 and Track 2 Track 2

Safe Passage Day Treatment Program

Holistic ApproachHolistic Approach

• Individualized Intake process & Individualized Intake process & Treatment plan- bio-psycho-social, client Treatment plan- bio-psycho-social, client basedbased

• Staff ideologyStaff ideology• InterdisciplinaryInterdisciplinary• Weekly treatment teamWeekly treatment team• Collateral communicationCollateral communication• Strengths based, reality basedStrengths based, reality based• Role of therapeutic allianceRole of therapeutic alliance

Overcoming Barriers to Treatment Overcoming Barriers to Treatment

• Physical difficultiesPhysical difficulties• Pragmatic concernsPragmatic concerns

• Custody relationshipsCustody relationships

TestimonialsTestimonialsQuotes from the Safe Passage

women

“Safe Passage is like the

needle and thread of my days.

It’s slowly putting back

together the pieces of my

life”

“Safe Passage has

been a blessing for

me. There are so

many wonderful

groups that I have

attended.”

“They [Safe Passage team] see my potential to do great

things and stay on me when I begin to stray away.”

“Safe Passage

helped me to get

my life back on

track.. It is a good

support system.”

In SummaryIn Summary

• Traditional correctional programs ~ disregard the Traditional correctional programs ~ disregard the offenders’ ability to initiate positive change within offenders’ ability to initiate positive change within themselves & assumes they are incapable of “fixing” themselves & assumes they are incapable of “fixing” themselves and that they need to be fixed by external themselves and that they need to be fixed by external agents (Herrschaft, et al, 2009). agents (Herrschaft, et al, 2009).

• Strengths perspective in social work practice ~ attempts to Strengths perspective in social work practice ~ attempts to correct destructive emphasis on what is wrong, missing or correct destructive emphasis on what is wrong, missing or abnormal with the individual and shifts focus to seeing abnormal with the individual and shifts focus to seeing individuals in the light of their hopes, possibilities and the individuals in the light of their hopes, possibilities and the belief in their capacity for change (Saleebey, 1996). belief in their capacity for change (Saleebey, 1996).

• Empowerment theory ~ There exists in every person, Empowerment theory ~ There exists in every person, potential for positive change & the process of increasing potential for positive change & the process of increasing personal and interpersonal power, individuals are better personal and interpersonal power, individuals are better able to take action in order to improve their life situations able to take action in order to improve their life situations (Gutierrez, 1990). (Gutierrez, 1990).

The process by which the client The process by which the client reconstructs his experience is not one reconstructs his experience is not one

the worker creates; he/she simply the worker creates; he/she simply enters, and leaves…..He/she is an enters, and leaves…..He/she is an

incident in the life of his/her client. incident in the life of his/her client. Thus the worker should ask herself: Thus the worker should ask herself:

what kind of incident will I what kind of incident will I represent….How do I enter the represent….How do I enter the

process, do what I have to do, and process, do what I have to do, and then leave?then leave?

~ William Schwartz~ William Schwartz

Elizabeth Allen, LCSWJessica Loss, LCSW

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The minute you start talking about what you’re going to do if you lose, you have lost.~George Shultz