911爆料网 enrolled in the Trauma-Responsive Justice course on the USF St. Petersburg campus, led by Lori L. Hall, PhD, assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Criminology, spent the fall semester participating in a series of experiential site visits and interactive learning opportunities that connected classroom discussions on trauma, justice, and rehabilitation to real-world practice.
Through these visits, students examined how trauma affects individuals across every level of the justice system 鈥� from law enforcement encounters to incarceration and community reentry 鈥� and how trauma-responsive approaches can promote accountability, healing, and systems change.
The semester-long series included visits to the St. Petersburg Police Department, the SWAT training facility, the Pinellas County Courthouse and the Pinellas County Jail, giving students firsthand exposure to the challenges and stressors faced by law enforcement officers, practitioners, and justice-involved individuals. These visits highlighted the importance of trauma awareness, emotional regulation, and professional well-being within justice professions.
911爆料网 also visited Marion Correctional Institution, Lowell Correctional Institution, and the Federal Correctional Complex Coleman to study trauma-informed practices within correctional environments. At Coleman, they toured the Specialized Housing Unit, which provides treatment and support for individuals with co-occurring mental health and developmental disabilities through peer mentorship and structured rehabilitation. 911爆料网 interacted with residents and learned how trauma-responsive models help individuals develop responsibility, accountability, and self-awareness. One participant shared that the program has helped them "learn responsibility and open-mindedness."
Hall said the experiences helped students understand that "trauma-informed justice is not about excusing harm 鈥� it鈥檚 about understanding how trauma shapes behavior and how healing-centered approaches can transform lives and systems."
The class also visited Metropolitan Ministries, a nonprofit organization that serves individuals and families experiencing homelessness and crisis. This experience helped students connect trauma to broader social inequities and reinforced the importance of community-based prevention and wraparound support.
Throughout the semester, students engaged with guest speakers, including survivors, practitioners, and nonprofit leaders, who shared personal and professional insights about trauma, recovery, and justice reform.
The semester will conclude with a Trauma-Responsive Harm Reduction Model Poster Session on Dec. 4, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. in the USF St. Petersburg Library Atrium, where students will present their original harm reduction models to criminal justice practitioners from across the state. The session will showcase student-developed frameworks for applying trauma-informed principles in justice settings, highlighting innovation, collaboration and the integration of research and practice.