Creating a Trauma-Informed Correctional Environment with Nicolle Brooks Willis

In this episode of Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment, host Shenandoah Chefalo speaks with Nicolle Brooks Willis, Project Manager of the Employee Services Team at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.

Join them as they discuss:

Implementing trauma-informed practices in correctional settings
Creating wellness spaces and supporting employee mental health
The power of community meetings and emotional intelligence
The journey from fixing to supporting
Policy changes through a trauma-informed lens
Personal growth and transformation
Building relationships in corrections

Nicolle Brooks Willis has carved out a distinctive career within the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, serving as Project Manager of the Employee Services Team. Her background includes various positions across the department, including deputy warden, and she has been at the forefront of integrating trauma-informed care within correctional facilities. Her work aims to transform the rehabilitation environment into one that's sensitive to the psychological and emotional needs of all employees.

Episode Highlights:

[00:02:46 - 00:03:54] Nicolle shares her journey into corrections, beginning as a paid college intern in 1998 while studying social work at Ohio State University. This opportunity led to a long-term career in corrections, demonstrating how initial opportunities can shape career trajectories.

[00:08:54 - 00:09:41] Nicolle discusses the initial challenge of implementing trauma-informed practices across an agency of over 11,000 employees with 28 prisons across Ohio. She describes starting small with basic trauma education through eLearning, highlighting the importance of introducing trauma-informed language gradually.

[00:37:00 - 00:38:00] A significant achievement in their trauma-informed journey was the creation of wellness rooms in each facility. These spaces are designed by employees for employees, featuring comfortable chairs, softer lighting, and a home-like atmosphere where staff can take breaks, practice mindfulness, and rebuild their energy.

[00:52:19 - 00:52:53] Nicolle shares a powerful example of how trauma-informed practices have influenced her parenting, particularly in encouraging emotional intelligence in her son. She describes changing from asking "How was your day?" to "How are you feeling?" and teaching that "good" is not a feeling.

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