The meeting started with Ms. Brown introducing the most recognized researcher in correctional psychological science in the world, Dr. Paul Gendreau.  Dr. Gendreau opened with a comprehensive review of the history of treatment and treatment philosophies in correctional settings. He followed this review with a detailed look at the benchmark studies that have shaped the discipline and the evidence we have to date on “what works and doesn’t work”.   He closed with recommendations for the future and addressed questions from NC PIC members and guests.  The two key recommendations that Dr. Gendreau proposed is that systems must be committed to employing evidence-based practices and  that systems must stop using rehabilitation models that do not work.

Steve Jordan, Director of DMH/DD/SAS opened the afternoon session with a discussion on Justice Reinvestment and the importance of continued emphasis on what works in communities across NC.  He introduced Representative David Guice who discussed a legislative act he championed, the Justice Reinvestment Act.  Of note,  Representative Guice was elected to the NC House of Representative in 2008 after a 30-year career in corrections. The Deputy Secretary of NCDOC, Tracy Little, followed Rep. Guice’s general review of HB642 with a detailed assessment of the implications of this new legislation and how it will impact specific domains within the system.

Speaker Presentations

Paul Gendreau, OC, PhD

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Rep. David Guice and Tracy Little

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Meeting Agenda

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Speaker Presentations:

Dr. Terri Shelton, a PIC member herself, reviewed the criteria associated with practices identified as evidence based and she reviewed the resources available to NC providers seeking to learn and offer evidence based techniques to the children they work with.

Charla Suggs presented on the innovative criminal justice model, Thinking for Change.  This is a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention that guides participants toward the change process using cognitive restructuring and reframing.

Dr. Claire Collie presented on Evidence Based Practices that are recognized by the VA.  EBPs of note included Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Depression.

Dr. Nancy Razza presented on the specific needs and problems that people with mental health problems and intellectual disabilities face.  Included is an excellent field study that examined the trials and tribulations of more than 4,000 persons born between 1959 and 1965 at intervals of 1,3,4,7,8, and 30 years.

During the afternoon session of the DD NC PIC meeting, Dr. Nancy Razza examined the relationship between Trauma and Limbic Regulation as this relates to psychotherapy and the treatment of abused populations.

Meeting Agenda: