Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga Intervention (TCTSY). Improving Conditions for Incarcerated Women in Latin America.

Female prisoners in Latin America face higher rates of mental health issues, especially anxiety and stress, often stemming from insecurity, perceived failure, long detention, and inability to care for children. Over 50% have experienced trauma, including physical or sexual violence, and report more adverse childhood experiences and PTSD than male prisoners. Body awareness, important for emotion regulation, is often impaired in those with PTSD. Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is introduced as an intervention for female prisoners with PTSD, shown to reduce negative emotions, hostility, and psychological distress, though not yet implemented in South American prisons. Implementing TCTSY in Chile could improve well-being and prosocial behavior.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Female prisoners in Latin America experience significantly higher rates of mental health issues compared to their male counterparts. The most prevalent include anxiety and stress, which stem from feelings of insecurity, perceived failure, long periods of detention, and the inability to care for their children. Furthermore, over 50% of female prisoners have been exposed to traumatic events, including physical and/or sexual violence, and report more adverse childhood experiences and higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than male prisoners. Understanding the root causes of these mental health issues is essential for developing effective interventions. Body awareness, crucial for consciousness and emotion regulation, is often compromised in individuals with PTSD, exacerbating their symptoms. Positive criminology approaches, such as yoga programs, have been shown to improve inmates' well-being and mental health by addressing these underlying issues. This commentary introduces Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) as a novel intervention designed explicitly for female prisoners with PTSD. Research indicates that TCTSY provides significant physiological and psychological benefits, including reductions in negative emotional states, hostility, and overall psychological distress. Despite these benefits, TCTSY has not yet been implemented in South American prisons. Given the substantial female prison population in Chile and their critical mental health needs, introducing TCTSY in these settings presents a promising opportunity. Implementing TCTSY could significantly enhance the well-being of female prisoners and promote prosocial behavior, addressing the urgent need for effective mental health interventions in this vulnerable population.