PTSD Treatment for Incarcerated Men and Women: AV

NCT07283757 | Recruiting DMC

• 3 other identifiers: 2018-0630: AVA538900Protocol Version 1/23/2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 900
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This research will help identify if a PTSD treatment group, called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), that is used in community settings is helpful in reducing PTSD symptoms among people who are incarcerated. The goal of CPT is to create a space for people to modify unhelpful beliefs related to trauma. A total of 692 participants will be enrolled from 6 locations and can expects to be on study for up to 24 weeks.

Conditions

PTSD

Keywords

Group therapy; Incarcerated Individuals

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Number of Conduct Reports

  Effectiveness of group CPT in reducing conduct reports measured by number of violations of prison rules such assaults and substance use.

  Up to 26 weeks on study

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) severity score

  baseline (pre-intervention), up to 12 weeks (post-intervention), and up to 24 weeks (three months follow up)

Study Arms (2)

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participant groups of 6-10 people to receive CPT to treat PTSD over 6 weeks or 12 weeks, depending on session frequency.

Behavioral: Cognitive Processing Therapy

Waitlist Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participant groups will provide data as a control group first, and will then receive CPT to treat PTSD

Interventions

Cognitive Processing Therapy BEHAVIORAL

CPT: a type of cognitive behavioral therapy recommended for the treatment of PTSD. Delivered in 8 - 12, 90-minute sessions with an emphasis on addressing trauma-related cognitions and challenging trauma-related beliefs. Includes homework assignments.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Participants will be enrolled from the Department of Corrections trauma treatment waitlist who have been screened for: * No active symptoms of psychosis that would interfere with the individual's ability to participate in the group * No active suicidal ideation with intent or plan * Able and willing to participate in group therapy * 18 years old or older * meet PCL-5 criteria for current PTSD diagnosis within 2 months of enrollment * No scheduled release date before the end of the treatment group * able to understand the consent form as measured by the consent quiz * have not participated in the previous CPT groups with UW project

Contact the study team to discuss eligibility requirements. They can help determine if this study is right for you.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Wisconsin, Madison: lead
• Arnold Ventures: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

Madison, Wisconsin, 53719, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (6)

• James, D.J. and L.E. Glaze, Mental health problems of prison and jail inmates, U.S.D.o. Justice, Editor. 2006: Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report.

  BACKGROUND

• Egeressy A, Butler T, Hunter M. 'Traumatisers or traumatised': Trauma experiences and personality characteristics of Australian prisoners. Int J Prison Health. 2009;5(4):212-22. doi: 10.1080/17449200903343209.

  PMID: 25757522 BACKGROUND

• Campbell CA, Albert I, Jarrett M, Byrne M, Roberts A, Phillip P, Huddy V, Valmaggia L. Treating Multiple Incident Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in an Inner City London Prison: The Need for an Evidence Base. Behav Cogn Psychother. 2016 Jan;44(1):112-7. doi: 10.1017/S135246581500003X. Epub 2015 Feb 20.

  PMID: 25697197 BACKGROUND

• Resick, P.A., C.M. Monson, and K.M. Chard, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD: A Comprehensive Manual. 2016: Guilford Press.

  BACKGROUND

• Resick PA, Nishith P, Weaver TL, Astin MC, Feuer CA. A comparison of cognitive-processing therapy with prolonged exposure and a waiting condition for the treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder in female rape victims. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2002 Aug;70(4):867-79. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.70.4.867.

  PMID: 12182270 BACKGROUND

• Morgan RD, Winterowd CL. Interpersonal process-oriented group psychotherapy with offender populations. Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol. 2002 Aug;46(4):466-82. doi: 10.1177/0306624X02464008.

  PMID: 12150085 BACKGROUND

Related Links

• PTSD Treatment for Incarcerated Men and Women: WPP

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Michael R Koenigs, PhD

  University of Wisconsin, Madison

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Michael R Koenigs, PhD

CONTACT

(608) 263-1679; mrkoenigs@wisc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The research members performing the assessments will be blind to the group assignment. One study staff will schedule participants according to the randomization, thus minimizing the possibility of systematically biasing the outcome and mediator assessments.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants are assigned to one of two therapy-intervention groups: CPT or active waitlist control group. Participants will be stratified/randomized based on PTSD severity (PCL-5 total score).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 4, 2025
• First Posted: December 16, 2025
• Study Start: December 22, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2029
• Last Updated: January 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)