Trauma exposure linked to African-Americans, criminal justice system

ANN ARBOR-Frequent traumatic exposure to crime can take a toll on most people. For African-Americans, trauma significantly increases their odds of being arrested, jailed or imprisoned, a new study shows. In addition, post-traumatic stress disorder also contributes to their involvement in the criminal justice system. Researchers at the University of Michigan and Virginia Commonwealth University examined the frequency of trauma exposure, development of PTSD, and arrest and incarceration history in nearly 5,200 African-Americans. This population is disproportionately affected by trauma and the criminal justice system. The researchers said it is a complex issue with many layers: race, a concentration of crime in certain neighborhoods, and tension between law enforcement and citizens, especially those who are poor. "These factors cannot be ignored when trying to understand the ways in which arrest and incarceration impact the lives of black men and women in the United States," said Daphne Watkins, associate professor at the U-M School of Social Work and assistant professor at the School of Medicine.