ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: SHAWANNA VAUGHN
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Shawanna Vaughn is the founder and the Director of Silent Cry Inc., a New York based non-profit organization that takes a holistic approach to aftercare from mass incarceration, gun violence and trauma. They understand that the quality of care is the single biggest factor for impacting and invoking changes and they support affected children and families during and after a challenging period.
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Shawanna Vaughn has also worked to raise awareness around Post Traumatic Prison Disorder, underscoring the traumas created by incarceration and calling for training of prison personnel in the basic core competencies of trauma informed mental health care, comprehensive policies for service provision to incarcerated individuals, investments in behavioral healthcare services (including screening, assessment and clinical interventions for trauma) as well as facilitating connection to services post-release.
The Confined Arts worked with Shawanna and Silent Cry Inc. in a few different capacities. We hosted a Town Hall meeting with Silent Cry Inc. to organize around the Post Traumatic Prison Disorder Shawanna W76337 on June 4th, 2020. Post Traumatic Prison Disorder Shawanna W76337 is a bill to amend the correction law, to address Post Traumatic Prison Disorder lowering and preventing future incarceration, reoffending and relapsing for high risk populations. Research shows evidence that incarceration has negative psychological effects on people in prison. These include: A dependence on institutional structure and contingencies. Hyper vigilance, interpersonal distrust, and suspicion. Emotional over-control, alienation, and psychological distancing. Social withdrawal and isolation. Incorporation of exploitative norms of prison culture. Diminished sense of self-worth and personal value. And post-traumatic stress reactions to the pains of imprisonment (Haney, 2001). The deprived social environment of prison can potentially impede one’s social capacity to navigate various social obligations post incarceration. This virtual town hall meeting brought together Health Experts, Faith
Leaders, National Organizers, Entrepreneurs, Artists, and Advocates to share direct knowledge and expertise in support of this bill.
On February 13th, Silent Cry Inc. held a community rally for Black History Month in honor of Albert L Philips Sr. and honored five law enforcement officers who are creating community through caring for community. Shout out to Shawanna Vaughn and Silent Cry Inc. and The FARM, Inc H.O.L.L.A. Cobra Marching Band and more for their continued leadership and for being on the ground providing those resources that are most needed.
