Conducting Grief Support Groups in Prison: A Pragmatic Feasibility and Impact Study

Area of Science:

• Correctional mental health
• Substance use disorder treatment
• Trauma and grief psychology

Background:

• Unresolved grief and trauma are linked to substance misuse, criminal behavior, and incarceration.
• Effective interventions are needed for incarcerated populations experiencing grief.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate an evidence-based grief support group model in a state correctional facility.
• To train mental health clinicians in the grief support group model.
• To assess the impact of the grief support group on participants' grief severity.

Main Methods:

• A pragmatic intervention feasibility evaluation was conducted.
• Seven grief support groups were facilitated by trained clinical social workers within substance use disorder treatment programs.
• Sixty-nine incarcerated individuals participated in the study.

Main Results:

• Clinician trainees reported high satisfaction and self-efficacy.
• The research demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and practicality of the intervention.
• Participants reported clinically significant reductions in grief severity and overall grief improvement.

Conclusions:

• The grief support group model is a promising complementary modality for incarcerated individuals with severe grief.
• The intervention can be effectively integrated into correctional therapeutic programs.
• Addressing grief in this population may reduce substance use and recidivism.