Post-Incarceration Syndrome (PICS)
You can help bridge the knowledge gap
What is Post-Incarceration Syndrome (PICS)?
Post-Incarceration Syndrome™ (PICS) refers to the complex and chronic physical, social and psychological consequences of incarceration. PICS often leads to:
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mental and physical health issues
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strained familial and social relationships
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difficulty adjusting to life after release
Some of the core characteristics of PICS includes:
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Institutionalization and social-sensory disorientation
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Post-traumatic stress responses
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Antisocial personality traits or coping strategies
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Substance use relapse
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Difficulty with decision-making and emotional regulation
Percentage increase in recidivism for people with untreated PICS
170%
Percentage increase in violent crime arrests for people with PICS
61%
An understanding of PICS is critically important for anyone charged with helping individuals reintegrate into their communities, from social workers and mental health specialists to faith leaders and family members.
Why it Matters
With more than 650,000 individuals released from jails and prisons annually in the United States, PICS is quickly emerging as a major public health concern. However, it remains unrecognized in official diagnostic manuals like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses (DSM-5), a commonly used publication of the American Psychiatric Association.
Given the lack of medical guidance, this information is provided to help professionals and community members understand the need for a higher level of trauma-informed care to those suffering from PICS.
PICS’ Effects on Individuals
Incarcerated people have virtually no control of their day to day lives, including when to wake up, eat, relax, exercise, etc. This often leads to feelings of dependence and helplessness, which often continues following release.
Post-incarceration, individuals experiencing PICS can experience a severe depletion of their executive functioning abilities. This may manifest itself in many ways…
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Flashbacks and nightmares
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Anxiety, hypervigilance and emotional numbing
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Withdrawal from others and mistrust
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Poor impulse control
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Feelings of hopelessness or suicidal ideation
The distance in which incarcerated people are from home also plays a major role in mental health. A 2018 study conducted by researchers at the University of Georgia analyzed the relationship between prison conditions and mental health in 214 prisons. They concluded that people incarcerated more than 50 miles from home were more likely to experience depression.
Gap in PICS Education & Treatment
There a many gaps in PICS education and treatment. Below is a summary of the most common ones.
Insufficient Trauma Training
Standard trauma-informed care training does not address the unique needs and experiences of justice-involved individuals.
Need for Specialized Skills
Clinicians need specific skills like motivational interviewing and cognitive-based therapies to effectively support individuals with PICS.
Limited PICS Education
Most mental health and social work programs do not offer specific courses focused on the unique needs of individuals within carceral settings and the effects of PICS.
Gap in Field Placements
Few field placement opportunities expose students to working with justice-involved populations in clinical settings.
Lack of Cultural Competence
Programs often do not teach students how to provide culturally-competent care to justice-involved populations.
Minimal Exposure to Advocacy
Students have limited exposure to policy advocacy and system-level interventions needed to improve outcomes for individuals with PICS.
You Can Bridge the Gap in PICS Education
With such dramatic changes in our criminal legal system, those who have been incarcerated are faced with more reentry challenges than ever. The need for PICS education is clear and it can begin with you!
You don’t have to work in a direct service field to help bridge this important knowledge gap. Anyone can help! Contact Nicole Wiesen today to learn about the PICS educational programs she can provide to your organization or community.