Hosted and Produced by J’aime Rothbard.

Join us for a passionate and enlightening conversation that explores trauma and systemic issues within the complex of incarceration. Our guest, Brooke Harper works with individuals in the juvenile-legal and -carceral systems, as well as the formerly incarcerated. She advocates for a more compassionate and trauma-informed approach, as those who commit crimes are often victims of their own circumstances. In fact, the real issue is the criminalization of trauma and poverty, as the legal and carceral systems rarely recognize that, to meet their basic human needs, many perpetrators' only option is to turn to crime.

In this thoughtful interview, Brooke outlines the:

- Impact of Systemic Racism on children in the juvenile carceral system, particularly those who disproportionately represent marginalized communities

- Importance of Compassionate inquiry®, a transformative approach that can help individuals understand their trauma and the underlying reasons for their behaviors.

- Need for Systemic Change, advocating for a shift from punitive measures to more compassionate and rehabilitative approaches that address the root causes of criminal behavior.

- Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among incarcerated individuals, which underscores the link between childhood trauma and criminal behavior.

The poignant stories and experiences Brooke shares illustrate the profound impact of trauma on young people and the challenges they face in navigating their environments. Rather than simply labeling individuals based on their actions, this conversation encourages a deeper exploration of perpetrators’ situations and personal experiences.

Listen to gain insight into the need for public education and awareness on the complexities of trauma. And when the conversation concludes, be inspired by the possibilities compassionate understanding offers to children and youth enmeshed within the juvenile-legal and -carceral systems.

About Brooke Harper:

A certified Compassionate Inquiry® Practitioner and mental health clinician, she completed her Advanced Clinical Practice graduate training at Columbia University, specialising in Health, Mental Health and Disabilities. Brooke has experience in both direct clinical practice and programming. She works with those experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, as well as individuals within the juvenile-legal system, carceral system, and formerly incarcerated. Passionate about advocacy and diminishing stigma, Brooke seeks to bridge gaps in health care service delivery. She is a certified teacher of trauma-informed yoga, and yoga for substance abuse recovery. Also involved in advocacy for addiction treatment and relapse prevention, Brooke is a mentor at Father’s Uplift

Promotional Link: You can experience the power of Gabor Maté’s trauma healing approach, whether you are or are not a therapist or healer. This link takes you to a web page that offers information about Compassionate Inquiry's Circles Program. Episode Related Resources:

Websites: Brooke's Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner Profile

Relevant Links: Equal Justice Initiative The Bail Project Anti-Recidivism Coalition Dr. Resmaa Menakem The Legacy Sites

Books: Are Prisons Obsolete? In The Realm Of Hungry Ghosts

Hold On To Your Kids The Fire Next Time The New Jim Crow Between the World and Me Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration Until We Reckon Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

Videos & Movies: Step Inside the Circle

The Art of Incarceration Movie Website The Art of Incarceration Trailer 13th: Full Movie The Charnel Ground

Podcast:

Compassion in Medicine with Dr Aisling Quiery

Journals: The Thread of Trauma: A Critical Analysis of the Criminal Legal System

Statistic Sources: Adverse Childhood Experiences Pie Charts How Many Youth Are Locked Up in the US Health Care Behind Bars Differences in Prison Spending Vary Widely Across States

Interrupting Incarceration Through Compassion with Brooke Harper