NCJ Number
130623
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1991) Pages: 102,104,106-107
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Post-traumatic stress disorders in correctional personnel are preventable through early intervention and informed assessment and treatment programs; debriefings have an important role in this process.
Abstract
The leader of the debriefing should obtain information about the traumatic event before debriefing those involved. This includes determination of the nature of the event, who was responsible, the number of persons involved, whether there were fatalities, and the event's aftermath. The planning of the debriefing should stem from the nature of the event. If more than 30 people were involved in the event, two groups should be formed. The leader of the debriefing should not be a close friend of any of the participants. The leader should be an impartial mediator who is skilled at defusing hostility without preventing its expression. Any comfortable location that fosters relaxation in the group is suitable for the debriefing. The best time for a debriefing is somewhere between the second and fourth days after the episode. The climate of the debriefing should be supportive and nonjudgmental. The leader should use the first few hours to establish rapport, and the ground rules for the session should be stated during this time. These rules should guarantee participants the opportunity to share their feelings and thoughts about the incident. Those who choose not to express themselves in the group may often contact the leader later for individual therapeutic sessions.