Francine Shapiro Library - EMDR Bibliography Links
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1. Hase, M. (2001, May). EMDR in a critical incident in Germany (prison riot). Presentation at the EMDR Europe Association annual meeting, London, UK.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
The prison system serves, among many others, one important goal: to separate those members
of society, who are dangerous to others, from the more peaceful and law-abiding majority. As
a consequence one could assume that the inmates of a prison from a, subgroup of human
beings, distinct by their aggressive potential. Though this is not true for all of the prisoners, it may be true for many of them. It is a well known fact, at least in Germany, that procedures
for controlling the safety in a prison, can't eliminate criminal behaviour or dealing with drugs
in a prison. One could assume, that even if an adequate standard of safety is upheld, a prison
would be a dangerous place to work in and that prison staff would be at a considerable risk of
being traumatised at work. In the prison system in Lower Saxony, Germany, between 5 and
10 recently traumatised staff are invited to participate in a group consultation each year. The
number of unrecorded cases is certainly much higher. In contrast there is not much literature about traumatisation of prison staff. On the other hand
prison staff are regarded as a population often reluctant to engage in psychotherapy and
leaving psychotherapy prematurely, without a significant treatment effect.
On 13th of August 1999 a prisoner attacked prison staff at Uelzen prison in Lower Saxony,
Germany. The perpetrator killed two members of staff, wounded two others severely and
committed suicide immediately afterwards. More members of staff suffered from the
psychological effects of the violence. The Critical Incident Team within the Ministry of
Justice provided intensive care and counselling. 15 members of staff were identified as a
high risk group to develop PTSD. 10 members of staff began psychotherapy. 7 qualified for
a diagnosis of PTSD, 3 for related diagnoses, according to ICD-10 criteria None of them left
therapy prematurely. One member of staff suffered from the effects of a civil war situation
experienced 15 years before, with a late onset PTSD triggered by vicarious traumatisation.
Only one remains out of work, but does not qualify for a diagnosis of PTSD at present. Three
are still in therapy. 7 patents ended therapy with a complete recovery. EMDR was applied to
great extent in 9 of the 10 cases. EMDR was tolerated well and proved to be fast and
efficient. Treatment effects seem to last over time. Setting the focus on the trauma and using
EMDR as a specific psychotherapeutic method seems to provide an accepted strategy with
significant gains for this population.
Keywords: Critical Incident Prison Recent Events Riot
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