What is a Trauma-informed hygiene kit?

Trauma-informed hygiene kits are designed to reduce stress, preserve dignity, and support behavioral stability in high-risk environments. Each item is selected and packaged to minimize triggers, promote personal agency, and align with gender-specific needs—especially for individuals with histories of trauma or incarceration.

  • Incarcerated women and survivors of trauma often face:

    Triggers from institutional products (e.g., harsh packaging, impersonal messaging)

    Lack of privacy or control during hygiene routines

    Re-traumatization from invasive procedures or insensitive staff interactions

  • Our trauma-informed kits can counteract this by:

    Using gentle language and packaging

    Including comfort items that signal care

    Offering gender-specific products that respect dignity

    Providing instructions or affirmations that reinforce autonomy

  • The Institutional Case

    Facilities benefit too. Trauma-informed approaches:

    Reduce behavioral incidents and improve compliance

    Support staff morale and reduce burnout

    Align with evolving standards in healthcare, corrections, and shelter services

Trauma-Informed Hygiene Kits for Women in Custody

Our female hygiene kits are thoughtfully curated to meet the unique needs of women in detention settings. Each item is selected to minimize trauma triggers while ensuring institutional compliance.

Empowering dignity and wellness through compliant, gender-specific care.

Standard Kit Includes:

ADA-compliant toothbrush & fluoride toothpaste

  1. Fragrance-free soap & shampoo

  2. Alcohol-free deodorant

  3. Comb & washcloth

  4. Sanitary pads (individually wrapped)

  5. Resealable privacy bag

  6. Optional: Tampons or panty liners (based on facility preference)

Trauma-Informed Design

  • Neutral Packaging: Reduces stigma and promotes autonomy

  • Sensory-Safe Products: No harsh scents or textures

  • Gender-Specific Needs: Menstrual care prioritized

  • Privacy-First: Resealable bags allow discreet storage

Why Trauma-Informed Hygiene Matters in Public Policy

Spearman Solutions’ kits reflect a growing national commitment to trauma-informed care across detention, shelter, and correctional systems. In 2024 alone, over 170 bills and resolutions were introduced across 39 states and the federal government to advance trauma-informed practices in criminal justice, healthcare, and social services.

Key legislative trends include:

  • Mandates for gender-specific care in correctional settings

  • Support for trauma-sensitive intake and reentry protocols

  • Funding eligibility through DOJ programs like the Byrne JAG grant

  • Recognition of hygiene access as a dignity and health issue in custody

Your facility’s adoption of trauma-informed hygiene kits aligns with these evolving standards—and positions you for compliance, grant eligibility, and reputational leadership.

Spending Snapshot

While exact figures for hygiene product procurement vary by agency, here’s what we know:

  • The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) oversees over 122 facilities and spends millions annually on inmate care—including hygiene, medical, and commissary items.

  • In Missouri, incarcerated individuals earn ~$8/month, yet 70–80% of that income may go toward purchasing feminine hygiene products—highlighting the need for institutional provision.

  • Thirteen states and Washington, D.C. now mandate free access to menstrual products in correctional facilities.

  • The Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act prompted BOP policy changes requiring free feminine hygiene products in federal prisons.

  • Being trauma-informed isn’t just about acknowledging trauma—it’s about actively designing systems, products, and interactions that reduce harm and promote healing. According to SAMHSA and other experts, trauma-informed care is built on six core principles:

  • Safety: Physical and emotional safety must be prioritized.

  • Trustworthiness & Transparency: Clear communication builds trust.

  • Peer Support: Shared experiences can foster healing.

  • Collaboration & Mutuality: Power dynamics are leveled.

  • Empowerment, Voice & Choice: Individuals are given agency.

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We believe in the value of American manufacturing and actively seek opportunities to provide domestically produced items.