Transforming Trauma: Episode 144

It’s no secret that incarcerated folks lack access to adequate mental health care while in prison. Reintegration support is even harder to come by once they are released. Sadly, women face even more significant challenges than men on both counts. But what if more trauma-informed professionals got involved in supporting formerly incarcerated women on both the individual and community levels? 

 

One leader in the second-chance movement reminds us of just how interconnected our communities are and invites trauma-informed professionals to consider sharing their time and talents with organizations serving formerly incarcerated people in their neighborhoods.

 

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes Alison Rapping, CEO of Arouet, to discuss the Arizona-based foundation’s pre-release, reassimilation, and mentorship programs for formerly incarcerated women. The pair also explore the impact that trauma has made on the lives of Arouet program participants and those in the US criminal justice system. 

 

During her tenure at Arouet, Alison has significantly expanded their programs and services, launching innovative initiatives, including a mission-driven job placement program and a pre-employment support center. Supporting post-traumatic growth, Alison and her team are driving social change and empowering communities. By providing individualized mental health and trauma-informed community support, Arouet promotes formerly incarcerated women to not only re-integrate back into society, but to thrive.

 

“I truly believe if every woman coming out of prison had a qualified therapist to help them navigate that first month, we would reduce relapse by 20%.” Alison’s years of experience suggest that newly released individuals carry a lot of unresolved trauma, much of it from before their incarceration, and then exacerbated by their time in prison.  During prison, many women are disconnected from their children, and experience tremendous amounts of guilt and shame. Once out of prison, the logistics of reintegration amplify their shame as they face rejections from employers, friends, families and communities. Their options for emotional support are slim. “For the majority of women that I work with, their only experience with behavioral health has been AA meetings. There is absolutely nothing wrong with AA meetings. For most people who are dealing with complex trauma, AA, NA, CoDA, they’re wonderful,” she notes, adding that the structure these organizations provide can be helpful on a post-incarceration journey. “But,” she cautions, “they’re not a trained professional therapist…If they just had a cherished therapist who they could talk to on a weekly basis while they’re navigating the first two months, I believe, for many of these women, it would be a game-changer.” 

 

Alison’s call to action is simple: get involved. There are many national and local second-chance organizations that therapists can connect with. There’s also a provision in Medicaid that covers mental health services for previously incarcerated patients. “There’s nothing more important that you can do than just give of yourself and share your heart with someone,” Alison says, mindful that therapists, especially those who specialize in complex trauma, are stretched thin. “But, I really think that there’s a huge opportunity for the health community to create better navigation tools,” she offers. “That can be game-changing to someone who maybe hasn’t felt that they had anyone who’s really paying attention to them.”

 

Transforming Trauma is grateful to Alison for her dedication to making life better for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women. Her contributions to the second-chance movement are an inspiring reminder of the impact one person can have on an entire community.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Gideon’s Promise

Gideon’s Army

AA

NA

CoDA

Yavapai Justice and Mental Health Coalition

United Way

The Body Keeps The Score

Second Chance Business Coalition

FWD.us

Prison Policy Initiative

 

RECOMMENDED EPISODES

GUEST CONTACT AND BIO

Arouet

 

Alison Rapping 

QUOTES

“Every woman who is involved in our criminal legal system, in our jail and prison systems, has some experience with trauma.”

 

“We really need to look at how anemic the services are for people coming out of prison and how important it is that we start to build a much stronger, more positive, and loving ecosystem for people that are exiting the justice community.”

 

“I believe the biggest reason women relapse in the first month is because they’re so overwhelmed, and a therapist could really help them.”

 

“What I really have learned in doing this work is that we are all so interconnected that all of us are worthy of these incredible lives and these incredible experiences.”

 

“What we have to do a better job of is helping build an ecosystem of supportive care for people so that they can build a life and not let these little things that are really trauma responses sabotage them.”

 

“There is no greater gift you can give to somebody coming out of prison than your time, your treasures, and your expertise.”

 

“For so many women who are coming out of the justice system, what they may have never had is somebody who is just truly there to listen to and support them.”