Traumatic Brain Injuries in Correctional Settings

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Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) due to adverse childhood experiences and other incidents are common in justice-involved settings. The extant literature is filled with calls for attention to this issue. In this webinar, we discuss the prevalence of TBI. We also review the existing research related to TBI in correctional settings and highlight systemic issues and possible barriers to effective identification, treatment and monitoring. Dawn Pflugradt and Danielle Ciccone-Coutre propose solutions for improving our responses to incarcerated people with TBI once they’ve identified them.

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Danielle Ciccone-Coutre, PsyD, ABPP
Chief Regional Psychologist, Division of Community Corrections

Danielle Ciccone-Coutre is a Board-Certified Rehabilitation Psychologist. She currently serves as the Chief Regional Psychologist for the Department of Corrections (DOC)/Division of Community Corrections (DCC) in Southeastern Wisconsin. Her career foci have included predominantly, work with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder across the developmental lifespan. She is committed to the education and advocacy of TBI to promote awareness and implement change to support survivors, and those involved in their care. She spearheads and supervises research of TBI and interrelated disabilities in the Veteran’s Administration. She is also collaborating on research in the DOC/DCC, with interest in the role of TBI, and neuro/rehabilitation psychology of criminal behavior. Dr. Ciccone-Coutre serves on the Board of Directors for the Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin. She also maintains a private practice in northern Illinois. 

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Dawn Pflugradt, PsyD, LCSW
Chief Psychologist, Wisconsin Department of Corrections

Dawn Pflugradt is a licensed psychologist specializing in forensic and clinical psychology. She has advanced degrees in psychology, social work and bioethics. She maintains a private psychology practice and is a professor at the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Pflugradt also serves on the scientific advisory board for the International Association for the Treatment of Sexual Offenders (IATSO) and is a SAARNA certified STATIC-99R and STABLE-2007 trainer. In addition to her years of clinical experience, Dr. Pflugradt has published numerous articles and book chapters in the areas of pediatrics and criminology, specializing in women who commit violent crimes.