Treating women incarcerated in or at-risk of restrictive placements: A statement of the problem and considerations for practice.

Abstract

Although limited, extant research suggests that incarcerated women are more likely than men to be placed in restrictive housing (e.g., administrative or disciplinary segregation) for disruptive behaviors that are linked to psychiatric symptomology and interpersonal deficits. Yet, few scholarly works discuss specific interventions or recommendations for treating incarcerated women in or at-risk of segregation. In this paper, we address the extent to which criminogenic and mental health needs of incarcerated women likely apply to women often placed in segregation, offer considerations for treatment planning when working with this subpopulation, and describe the process of piloting a manualized program specifically developed for segregated clients with women in a state prison. Descriptive data on 18 program participants are reported. Among program completers (n = 10), reductions in emotional stability, wellness, and criminal attitudes were endorsed from pre-to post-treatments and all women were rule-violation free at 3-month follow-up. Although preliminary outcomes are promising, controlled treatment outcome research is needed. We conclude with a call to advocate for the humane treatment and management of women who are in or prone to restrictive housing. Impact StatementWomen in segregation units or are so-called "frequent flyers" on these units are a high-risk, high-needs group for which limited literature exists compared to men. We argue for the need to view these women as a unique subpopulation who require unique considerations and describe the adaptation of a promising intervention to help segregated women transition back to less restrictive settings. More rigorous program evaluations, however, are needed.

A longitudinal examination of stepping up, stepping out with incarcerated men in restrictive housing: An expansion of the 2021 pilot.

“…While existing research shows that young, Black men are overrepresented in restrictive housing units (Bonner et al, 2017; Labrecque & Mears, 2019), this gap is narrowing (Correctional Leaders Association & Liman Program, 2022) and it is relevant to know how various subgroups respond to SUSO. Batastini et al (2022) showed promising descriptive outcomes of SUSO for cis-gender women in restrictive housing including similar reductions in emotional distress and criminal attitudes, as well as fewer misconducts at 3-month posttreatment. Nonetheless, more rigorous investigations are needed.…”

Mental health services in restricted housing: Do we know what’s going on behind the steel doors?

“…SUSO, reported by one survey respondent, can also be delivered in a primarily self-directed manner, but corrective feedback is recommended after all learning activities (Batastini et al, 2019). SUSO can also be modified to accommodate individual therapy or a small group format (Batastini et al, 2021). Barriers to service delivery included factors related to the restricted environment, absence of appropriate and targeted programming, and correctional staffing issues (e.g., staff shortages) that restrict service delivery.…”

Psychological services to extend public health and disease management approaches in criminal justice settings: An introduction.

“…Interestingly, more than half of their sample was unemployed, not including those with a disability. Batastini et al (2022) presented a nine-module program for persons in segregation that was piloted on women incarcerated in a state facility, targeting both mental health symptoms and criminal risk factors. With a small sample of 18 participants, the authors describe that treating both mental health symptoms as well as criminogenic needs related to decreases in behavioral health symptoms including decreases in depression and criminal thinking.…”