Facilitator Experiences: TCTSY in Carceral Systems
TCTSY Facilitator Kelcy McNamara offers Trauma Sensitive Yoga at the York County Corrections facility in Alfred, Maine:
“Research consistently finds elevated rates of trauma among the incarcerated. The American Addiction Center states 50-66% of those who suffer from PTSD also battle simultaneous addiction.
The York County Jail has made a choice to tackle this challenge by offering TCTSY (trauma center trauma sensitive yoga). TCTSY is being offered weekly at the York County Jail to female inmates in addition to a trauma informed Yoga for Recovery class. Participants have shared the importance of these classes in their journey as they navigate the justice system, offering a space to practice making choices.
York county corrections want to protect people and communities. To do that, trauma survivors need to heal. Bringing TCTSY and Trauma informed sessions into the York County Jail (YCJ) offers support for healing and rehabilitation.
Because Safety is so important YCJ and Kelcy, they have decided to pause on this program until we can ensure everyone is safe given the unpredictability of COVID 19 restrictions, however they plan to partner again with hope that program will begin in the latter half of 2021.”
TCTSY Facilitator Melissa Villamojica is a Public Safety Clinician providing services to the justice-involved in a type 1 facility:
“As a Public Safety Clinician providing services to the justice- involved in a type 1 facility, TCTSY implementation varies since I am not facilitating TCTSY embodiment practice. Since individuals spend very little time in this municipal jail and stay in their cell, my focus is to integrate embodiment practice during talk therapy while using invitational language and choice- making.
Typically, embodiment practice is facilitated in seated position and I accompany them in this practice for a shared authentic experience. However, if they are in a cell that does not allow me to accompany them, (ie. an administrative segregation cell where they can see only my face through a small window) I offer verbal guidance and try to include breath-work. I am still a novice, so I do my best to integrate breath-work within TCTSY framework.”
TCTSY Facilitator Josefin Wikström is the Director of Programs in Europe for Prison Yoga Project:
“The TCTSY training and method has been beneficial especially when facilitating yoga for incarcerated people with severe PTSD, psychosis and schizophrenia inside the psychiatry units and forensic psychiatry here in Sweden. I feel and observe the powerful effects from sharing an experience within these groups through the body, wordlessly. For many this is a new experience, also being invited to participate at your own pace and to make an active choice for themselves.”
Debra Hartnagle was contracted to provide Trauma Sensitive Yoga for inmates at the Ingham County Jail in Mason, MI.
Weekly, one-hour classes were held, separately, for those identifying as male or female. Between May of 2019 and March 2020, 369 inmates attended class. 338 (91.5%) filled out a voluntary survey before and after their session.
Those reporting ‘no pain’ increased from 37 to 69 percent.
People reporting ‘no discomfort’ increased from 31% to 64%.
Those indicating ‘yes’ to anxiety/stress/agitation levels fell from 41% before class to 4% post.
74% of participants reported noticing their body in contact with the floor before the session; that increased to 85%.
Awareness of breath increased from 64% to 92%.
Before their session, 63% of participants reported their mood as ‘good’; 92% of participants indicated their mood as ‘good’ after.