A central focus of the project is the correlation between childhood trauma and the likelihood of incarceration. Research shows that a significant portion of the incarcerated population has experienced traumatic experiences during childhood, often classified as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
ACEs include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, having an incarcerated parent, substance abuse in the family, and many other factors. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kaiser Permanente found that those who experienced four or more ACEs were significantly more likely to develop mental health problems, substance abuse, and ultimately criminal behavior.
Data collected during the “Step industry email list Inside the Circle” project in California prisons confirms this trend. The vast majority of participants made significant progress, highlighting the frequency with which prisoners have suffered childhood trauma. Some of the most significant data reveal that:
66% of inmates have experienced domestic violence.
35% have witnessed a parent's addiction.
A high percentage have experienced emotional or physical neglect.