Our Impact

The Envisioning Justice Solutions team has been evaluating a variety of programs provided within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) since 2014.

beyond violence: A Prevention Program for Criminal Justice-Involved Women (covington, 2013)

In collaboration with the Center for Gender and Justice, Envisioning Justice Solutions tested the effectiveness of the gender-responsive Beyond Violence (Covington, 2013) intervention to prevent and reduce violence in the lives of justice-involved women . Additionally, an experimental study ascertained the feasibility of a Peer-Facilitated model of program delivery (i.e., women serving long or life sentences). Beyond Violence showed significant positive outcomes for participants serving long terms or life on reductions in PTSD, anxiety, anger and aggression, and symptoms of serious mental illness (Messina et. al, 2016; Messina & Calhoun, 2021).

“Through Beyond Violence I was able to identify that little girl inside of me and heal her. She’s good, I’m good.” ~Beyond Violence participant, 2015

“I’ve been numb for so long. I felt safe in prison, for the first time.” ~Beyond Violence participant, 2016

HEALING TRAUMA: A Brief Intervention for Women (Covington & Russo, 2016)

Based on the positive findings from the Beyond Violence studies, a new 6-session brief intervention, Healing Trauma, was implemented in the Security Housing Unit (SHU) for women and within two women’s facilities for ‘high-need’ and ‘high-risk’ women.

Statistically significant decreases were found in: Messina, Zwart, & Calhoun, 2020; Messina & Zwart, 2021

  • Depression

  • PTSD & Current Traumatic Distress

  • Anxiety

  • Serious Mental Illness

  • Anger

  • Hostility

  • Physical Aggression

EXPLORING TRAUMA: Brief Intervention for Men (Covington & Rodriquez, 2016)

Based on the positive findings from the women’s pilot studies, a new brief intervention, Exploring Trauma, was implemented in two men’s SHU’s and within five men’s prisons in California across all security classification levels (i.e., Level II, III, IV).

Findings from the population of women were replicated among the men, as findings showed significant reductions in anger and aggression and increased psychological well-being (Messina & Burdon, 2021; Messina & Schepps, 2021).

“By admitting these traumas, I can begin to trace the cause of my destructive behaviors, deal with them effectively, and begin the process to heal and move forward”. ~Exploring Trauma participant, 2018

For more information about these programs click here. Envisioning Justice Solutions is currently evaluating expanded versions of the trauma-specific brief interventions for gender-diverse populations (Healing Trauma Plus and Exploring Trauma Plus) within two women’s prisons and two men’s prisons.