Breaking the Cycle

How Trauma Informed Principles are Transforming Prisons Across California

Speaker

Fritzi Horstman Founder and Executive Director The Compassion Prison Project

This program explores the intersection of trauma, incarceration, and restorative justice through the work of the Compassion Prison Project (CPP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming prisons into centers for healing. Fritzi Horstman, Founder and Executive Director of CPP, will present on the organization’s trauma-informed approach to reducing recidivism and fostering rehabilitation within California’s prison system.

Participants will learn about the neuroscience of trauma and its impact on behavior, how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) correlate with incarceration, and the role that education, empathy, and trauma-responsive practices can play in breaking the cycle of criminality. The program will also highlight CPP’s initiatives for both incarcerated individuals and prison staff—addressing unhealed trauma and PTSD through workshops, circles, and peer-led support structures.

Attendees will gain insights into restorative justice principles and how trauma-informed frameworks can inform legal advocacy, mediation, and sentencing alternatives. The content is particularly relevant for lawyers and mediators working in criminal law, juvenile justice, reentry services, prison law, and alternative dispute resolution.

Topics

• Understand the link between childhood trauma and patterns of incarceration
• Learn how trauma-informed interventions are being applied in California prisons
• Explore how restorative justice practices and trauma healing reduce recidivism
• Examine implications for attorneys and mediators in criminal and restorative justice contexts
• Gain tools for identifying and addressing trauma in clients or parties to a dispute

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Email adr@sfbar.org

Event Code: ADR252044
For a printable flyer, click here.
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Cost

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Program Access
A link to access the Zoom webinar will be sent in your confirmation e-mail prior to the start of the event. If you do not receive login credentials, please double check your Spam Folder. If you have any trouble, please contact adr@sfbar.org as soon as possible before the program starts so we can assist with troubleshooting. You may need to consult your local IT technician for connection issues.

Program recordings are not guaranteed and/or included with this registration, nor immediately accessible to registrants. Approved recordings of live programs are converted to On-Demand CLE Courses and available for separate purchase through a third-party library 30 business days after the live recording. Thank you for your support.

Substitution, Cancellation, and Refund Requests
For CLE events of 1.5 hours or less, Lunch & Learn programs, Happy Hours, Receptions, and Mixers, a refund is available if you submit your cancellation request at least 48 hours prior to the event. A $10 handling fee will deducted from your refund.

For CLE events longer than 1.5 hours, and for special events such as conferences, symposiums, professional development training programs, a 50% refund is available if you cancel at least 10 business days prior to the event. Please complete the Event Cancellation Form.

If you are unable to attend, you may send a substitute. For cancellations or substitutions please contact adr@sfbar.org

MCLE Notice
To receive MCLE credit, you must sign in during the designated MCLE registration period. This activity is approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California. BASF is a certified provider: Provider #103

Accessibility
People with disabilities and/or special requests should contact BASF regarding reasonable accommodations.