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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 2, 2022 09:05 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Summer Lee |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Dignity for Incarcerated Women: Trauma-Informed Care |
| In the last few years, Pennsylvania has seen an increase in incarcerated individuals suffering from trauma. This dramatic jump can be attributed to a number of mental, physical, and emotional events that incarcerated individuals, especially incarcerated women and girls, encounter in their lives. These events can lead to emotional outbursts, night terrors, panic attacks, and anxiety, among other symptoms. Often, individuals show no initial signs of trauma for days, months, or even years after the actual traumatic event took place, but they require immediate support to heal and prevent further traumatic experiences. My legislation would create an environment in our state correctional institutions that properly assists and rehabilitates incarcerated individuals who have experienced trauma. Individuals who have experienced trauma of any type need support and understanding from trained staff. They should feel safe and empowered as they move towards rehabilitation and re-entry into society. Unfortunately, some trauma survivors can be re-traumatized by well-meaning correctional staff who may not be trauma-informed. By requiring all state correctional institutions to (1) provide trauma-informed care to incarcerated individuals and (2) train staff on how to properly assist trauma survivors, we will be able to continue to reduce recidivism rates and prepare individuals for successful re-entry. We must continue to encourage and propose new ideas that provide the necessary resources for rehabilitation and support for all individuals incarcerated in our commonwealth. It is our duty as legislators to ensure that our incarcerated individuals receive the support they need to successfully reintegrate into our communities. Please join me in co-sponsoring this much-needed legislation. |
Introduced as HB2445