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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
Time: 11:31 pm
Time: 11:31 pm
Results for inmate health
7 results foundAuthor: Halacas, C. Title: Keeping our mob healthy in and out of prison: Exploring Prison Health in Victoria to Improve Quality, Culturally Appropriate Health Care for Aboriginal People Summary: The prison health system presents an opportunity to improve Aboriginal prisoners' health and wellbeing, diagnose and treat health and mental health problems, and mitigate the effects of harmful behaviours. Improving prison health systems for Aboriginal people can also reduce high rates of postrelease hospitalisation and mortality experienced by Aboriginal prisoners and improve quality of life. Aboriginal prisoners experience higher rates of health and mental health problems than non-Aboriginal prisoners. The impact on prison health care is foreshadowed by consistent increases in the number of Aboriginal people imprisoned in Victoria each year. One in 33 Aboriginal males is imprisoned in Victoria at any one time, and the rate of overrepresentation is increasing for both Aboriginal men and women. More than 50% of Aboriginal people released from Victorian prisons return within two years, which places increasing importance on continuity of care. With large numbers of Aboriginal people moving in and out of the prison system, a strong relationship should exist between prison health services and prisoners' community health and mental health provider. The 28 Aboriginal Community Controlled health Organisations (ACCHOs) and their auspiced organisations across Victoria are located within 55km of all Victorian prisons. ACCHOs are a critical extension of prison health care given Aboriginal prisoners access ACCHOs more frequently than mainstream services in the community. ACCHOs' comprehensive support and engagement of Aboriginal people plays a big part in improving quality of life and improving poor health and mental health outcomes by providing a holistic, healing health service. The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), with support from the Victorian Government Department of Justice, explored ways to improve continuity of care for Aboriginal people in Victorian prisons and identify ways to improve relationships and partnerships between ACCHOs and prison health services. ACCHOs, prison health services, and Koori support staff members from the Department of Justice were interviewed and their responses analysed for common themes. We found no relationship or partnership between ACCHOs and prison health services interviewed despite policy references requiring it within the Justice Health Policy and Quality Framework (attached to the prison health services contracts). Responses also indicated that prison health service systems were not meeting cultural safety policy standards. ACCHOs identified several areas in need of improvement to assist Aboriginal prisoner health including prisoner release planning and the transfer of health information. Given the low level of contact between ACCHOs and prison health services there were few working examples that could be shared. A list of recommendations based on interview responses, a literature review and exploration of non-Victorian models is presented as a first step in improving health and mental health outcomes for Aboriginal prisoners. Details: Collingwood, VIC: Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, 2015. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9, 2015 at: http://www.vaccho.org.au/assets/01-RESOURCES/TOPIC-AREA/RESEARCH/KEEPING-OUR-MOB-HEALTHY.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://www.vaccho.org.au/assets/01-RESOURCES/TOPIC-AREA/RESEARCH/KEEPING-OUR-MOB-HEALTHY.pdf Shelf Number: 135546 Keywords: AboriginalsIndigenous PeoplesInmate HealthMental Health ServicesPrison Health Care |
Author: McDaniel, Dustin S. Title: No Escape: Exposure to Toxic Coal Waste at State Correctional Institution Fayette Summary: A 12-month investigation into the health impact of exposure to toxic coal waste on the prisoner population at State Correctional Institution (SCI) Fayette has uncovered an alarming rate of serious health problems. Surrounded by "about 40 million tons of waste, two coal slurry ponds, and millions of cubic yards of coal combustion waste," SCI Fayette is inescapably situated in the midst of a massive toxic waste dump.2 Over the past year, more and more prisoners have reported declining health, revealing a pattern of symptomatic clusters consistent with exposure to toxic coal waste: respiratory, throat and sinus conditions; skin irritation and rashes; gastrointestinal tract problems; pre-cancerous growths and cancer; thyroid disorders; other symptoms such as eye irritation, blurred vision, headaches, dizziness, hair loss, weight loss, fatigue, and loss of mental focus and concentration. The Human Rights Coalition (HRC), Center for Coalfield Justice (CCJ), and the Abolitionist Law Center (ALC) launched this investigation in August 2013. The investigation is not only ongoing, but also is expanding, as HRC and ALC continue to document reports of adverse health symptoms and environmental pollution, interview current and former prisoners at SCI Fayette, and conduct research. No Escape describes the preliminary findings from our investigation into the declining health of prisoners at SCI Fayette while providing context about the toxic environment surrounding the prison. Our investigation found: - More than 81% of responding prisoners (61/75) reported respiratory, throat, and sinus conditions, including shortness of breath, chronic coughing, sinus infections, lung infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, extreme swelling of the throat, as well as sores, cysts, and tumors in the nose, mouth, and throat. - 68% (51/75) of responding prisoners experienced gastrointestinal problems, including heart burn, stomach pains, diarrhea, ulcers, ulcerative colitis, bloody stools, and vomiting. - 52% (39/75) reported experiencing adverse skin conditions, including painful rashes, hives, cysts, and abscesses. - 12% (9/75) of prisoners reported either being diagnosed with a thyroid disorder at SCI Fayette, or having existing thyroid problems exacerbated after transfer to the prison. - Eleven prisoners died from cancer at SCI Fayette between January of 2010 and December of 2013. Another six prisoners have reported being diagnosed with cancer at SCI Fayette, and a further eight report undiagnosed tumors and lumps. Unlike reports of health problems from prisoners at other Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PADOC) prisons, most SCI Fayette prisoners discuss symptoms and illnesses that did not emerge until they arrived at SCI Fayette. The patterns of illnesses described in this report, coupled with the prison being geographically enveloped by a toxic coal waste site, point to a hidden health crisis impacting a captive and vulnerable population. Our investigation leads us to believe that the declining health of prisoners at SCI Fayette is indeed caused by the toxic environment surrounding the prison; however, the inherent limitations of the survey do not establish this belief at an empirical level. A substantial mobilization of resources for continued investigation will be required to confirm the relationship between prisoner health and pollution from coal refuse and ash. Details: Pittsburgh, PA: Abolitionist Law Center, 2015. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 30, 2015 at: https://abolitionistlawcenter.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/no-escape-3-3mb.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://abolitionistlawcenter.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/no-escape-3-3mb.pdf Shelf Number: 135829 Keywords: Health CareInmate HealthPrisoner HealthPrisonersToxic Waste |
Author: Williams, Claire Title: Extending NZ Prison Smoking Bans: Should We Quit While We're Ahead? Summary: Smoking is directly correlated to adverse health effects including heart disease, cancer, chronic pulmonary diseases, nuclear cataract, hip fractures. According to the latest NZ health statistics, of the 8469 prison population, 67.1% smoke which equates to 5674 people. Each smoker in prison costs the NZ taxpayer $20,000 per annum in associated healthcare costs. A total smoking ban in NZ prisons could therefore potentially save the New Zealand economy over $113 million dollars annually. 1 in every 2 smokers will die a premature death because of tobacco addiction; therefore, 2837 lives would potentially be extended; these benefits would be increased if prison staff were included in the smoking ban. Furthermore, 3500 staff in NZ prisons are exposed to second hand smoke or ETS at levels 12 times the national average. A smoking ban which does not apply to prison staff would reduce the levels of ETS exposure; however a ban including staff would mean zero levels of ETS exposure preventing impending law suits. Deaths associated with second hand smoke are approximately 1% of the population; at 12 times higher exposure rates in prisons; a ban including prison staff could mean preventing a premature death of 420 people over the long term. Corrections insurance premiums could be lowered with the introductions of 100% smoking bans in prisons. Details: Auckland, NZ: University of Auckland, 2010. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Policy Report: Accessed February 11, 2017: http://policyprojects.ac.nz/clairewilliams/files/2010/10/Policy-Report2.pdf Year: 2010 Country: New Zealand URL: http://policyprojects.ac.nz/clairewilliams/files/2010/10/Policy-Report2.pdf Shelf Number: 144836 Keywords: Inmate HealthPrison PolicySmoking Bans |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, Evaluation and Inspections Division Title: Review of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Medical Staffing Challenges Summary: The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is responsible for incarcerating federal inmates and is required to provide them with medically necessary healthcare. However, recruitment of medical professionals is one of the BOP's greatest challenges and staffing shortages limit inmate access to medical care, result in an increased need to send inmates outside the institution for medical care, and contribute to increases in medical costs. Additionally, medical staff shortages can impact prison safety and security. For example, according to an After-Action Report prepared after a riot at a BOP contract prison, the BOP noted that while low medical staffing levels alone were not the direct cause of the disturbance, they affected security and health services functions. As of September 2014, the BOP had 3,871 positions in its institutions' health services units to provide medical care to 171,868 inmates. Of those 3,871 positions, only 3,215 positions (83 percent) were filled. Although BOP policy states that the vacancy rate shall not exceed 10 percent during any 18-month period, we found that only 24 of 97 BOP institutions had a medical staffing rate of 90 percent or higher as of September 2014. Further, 12 BOP institutions were medically staffed at only 71 percent or below, which the BOP’s former Assistant Director for Health Services and Medical Director described as crisis level. Both civilian and uniformed staff hold these 3,215 filled healthcare positions. This includes 2,382 civil service employees and 833 commissioned officers of the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which provides public health services to underserved and vulnerable populations. The Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conducted this review to assess challenges the BOP faces in hiring medical professionals and its use of PHS officers as one method of addressing those challenges. Details: Washington, DC: OIG, 2016. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Report 16-02: Accessed February 2, 2018 at: https://oig.justice.gov/reports/2016/e1602.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://oig.justice.gov/reports/2016/e1602.pdf Shelf Number: 148966 Keywords: Federal Prisons Health Care Inmate HealthMedical Care |
Author: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Title: Systematic review on the prevention and control of blood-borne viruses in prison settings Summary: Compared with the general public, people in prisons have a higher prevalence of infection with blood-borne viruses (BBVs) such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). This is recognised as a major issue for the health of people in prisons, as well as the general population, because the majority of people who have been incarcerated will subsequently return to their communities. The objective of this report was to systematically review data on prevention and control of BBVs in prison settings, with a focus on the countries of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). A systematic literature review was performed in PubMed and Embase from 1990 onwards and in Cochrane Library from 1980 onwards (search date 12 January 2017). No language or geographical limits were applied. In addition, the following sources were searched through a predefined website list search, including the websites of the main international organisations (last search date 8 May 2017) and a call for papers from experts (last call date 7 July 2017): conference abstracts (2010 or newer), unpublished research reports, protocols and guidelines (2005 or newer). A total of 66 primary articles were included from the peer-reviewed literature. In addition, 20 conference abstracts/unpublished research reports and 18 guidelines were identified from the grey literature. Five peer-reviewed articles (none from the EU/EEA) and one conference abstract were included covering BBV prevention through health promotion interventions, condom distribution and safe tattooing programmes in prison settings. A range of 11-28% of inmates used condoms through condom provision programmes, but not necessarily for sex, and 55-84% supported condom distribution. In a US study condom provision was considered to be costsaving, but concerns were raised over a possible increase in sexual activity, including non-consensual intercourse, and the inconsistent message of condom availability with the prohibition of sexual activities in prison. Safe tattooing in prison was shown to be acceptable for people in detention in one study, however no infection-related outcomes were reported to assess the effectiveness in reducing infection transmission. Two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigated a combination of health promotion and skills-building interventions, and showed conflicting results. Five additional peer-reviewed articles (two from the EU/EEA) and one conference abstract were included reporting prevention interventions targeting people who inject drugs (PWID) in prison settings. Two comparative studies on opioid substitution therapy (OST) found no difference in HIV and HCV seroconversions between the OST and control groups. Periods of imprisonment <2 months were significantly associated with increased risk of HCV seroconversion, and compared to community settings, OST dropout risk was higher in prison during short sentences (≤1 month) and lower during longer (>4 months) sentences. An OST programme in prison was no more costly than community-based programmes. HCV seroconversions were reported in one of the three studies on a needle and syringe programme (NSP) and were attributed to sharing of injection paraphernalia; no HIV or HBV seroconversions were reported. In a country-wide study, a reduction in HCV and HIV prevalence in the prison population over a period of more than 15 years was documented, which coincided with the introduction of a wide range of harm reduction measures in the community and prison, including a prison needle and syringe programme. However, prison staff and, to a lesser extent, people in detention, reported concerns about prison security following the distribution of sterile syringes and needles and were not persuaded of the need for such a measure. Provision of HIV treatment in prison settings was reported in sixteen peer-reviewed articles (seven from the EU/EEA) and five conference abstracts. Two comparative studies found no significant difference in adherence and viral suppression between self-administered therapy (SAT) and directly observed therapy (DOT), while one study showed a higher proportion of viral suppression among individuals receiving DOT for HIV. A sizeable proportion of patients voluntarily transitioning from SAT to DOT modality of treatment provision was registered in one study. In another, a significant increase in the likelihood of achieving viral suppression was found in a telemedicine group compared to conventional care. Overall, all studies reported sufficiently high ranges of treatment adherence and levels of viral suppression when treatment was provided in prison settings, and the proportion of HIV treatment acceptance among those eligible was reasonably high (73-80%). While no study was retrieved reporting on HBV treatment in prison settings, twenty-one peer-reviewed articles (seven from the EU/EEA), eleven conference abstracts and two unpublished research reports were included on HCV treatment. The majority of the included studies described provision of interferon-based regimens, and focussed on implementation modalities. Two comparative studies found no significant difference in treatment completion and sustained viral response (SVR) between SAT and DOT models of HCV care provision. Two economic evaluation studies from USA concurred that performing a liver biopsy before starting interferon-based treatment is likely to be more cost-effective approach than treating all patients. Two comparative studies found no significant difference between the main outcomes of HCV treatment completion and SVR in prison versus community, unless patients were released or transferred from prison while on treatment. Similarly, release or transfer was reported as a major predictor of treatment discontinuation in several studies. There have been rapid developments in the management of chronic HCV infection with a new generation of medications, called direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs), which are now used alone or in combination with PEG- Details: Stockholm: ECDP, 2018. 198p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 27, 2018 at: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/system/files/publications/9193/ECDC-EMCDDA%20systematic%20review%20-%20prevention%20and%20control%20of%20BBV%20in%20prison%20settings.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Europe URL: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/system/files/publications/9193/ECDC-EMCDDA%20systematic%20review%20-%20prevention%20and%20control%20of%20BBV%20in%20prison%20settings.pdf Shelf Number: 150949 Keywords: Correctional HealthHealth CareInmate HealthPrison Health |
Author: Acker, Julia Title: Mass Incarceration Threatens Health Equity in America Summary: With approximately 2.2 million U.S. adults and youth behind bars, the United States incarcerates many more persons-both in absolute numbers and as a percentage of the population-than any other nation in the world. Mass incarceration disproportionately impacts lower-income communities, communities of color, and persons with disabilities, creating a barrier to achieving health equity. People who are incarcerated face greater chances for chronic health conditions, both while confined and long after their release. Incarceration exposes people to a wide range of conditions, such as poor sanitation and ventilation and solitary confinement, that are detrimental to long-term physical and mental health. After release, previously incarcerated individuals often face higher mortality rates and experience limited opportunities for gainful employment, stable housing, education, and other conditions needed for good health. Mass incarceration's reach extends far beyond the jail cell, impacting not only those behind bars, but their families, their communities, and the entire nation. Almost 10 million children have experienced having one or both parents incarcerated at some point in their lives - impacting their health and future opportunities. Within communities, mass incarceration disrupts social and family networks and economic development while across the country it consumes large portions of government budgets with negligible impact on crime rates. Produced in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco, this report examines the links between mass incarceration and health equity. Through pairing data with examples of successful approaches, this report shows how mass incarceration negatively impacts everyone's health and well-being and also suggests solutions for reducing both incarceration and crime rates and increasing opportunities for all. Details: Princeton, NJ: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2019. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 21, 2019 at: https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/research/2019/01/mass-incarceration-threatens-health-equity-in-america.html Year: 2019 Country: United States URL: https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/research/2019/01/mass-incarceration-threatens-health-equity-in-america.html Shelf Number: 154679 Keywords: Health InequitiesHealth ServicesInmate HealthMass IncarcerationPrisoner Health |
Author: Dubois, Christophe Title: Organization Models of Health Care Services in Prisons in Four Countries Summary: This chapter aims "to identify and analyse the organization models of health care services in prisons in four selected foreign countries likely to inspire the reform of the health care system in Belgian prisons." The four foreign countries: France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Scotland have been selected on basis of the following criteria: -- Feasibility (in the allocated period of time): -- The official and grey literature is abundant and accessible; -- The literature is written in language that is accessible to the researchers (English, French, or Dutch); -- The researchers can rely on pre-existing networks; - Relevance: -- The four selected countries offer good practices in organisation of healthcare in prisons (see here-under); -- The selected countries are usually considered as sources of inspiration for Belgian policy makers, especially France and the Netherlands; -- Diversity: -- The preliminary search showed that the selected countries provide different interesting scenarios for Belgium. With respect to the subject matter of the transfer of prison health care to the Ministry of Health, France and Scotland present two different and interesting cases of transfer. France has a comparatively long - since 1994 - history of prison health under the authority of the Ministry of Health. Health care in each prison is provided on the basis of an agreed protocol with the nearest public hospital. Scotland's reform is much more recent (2011) but fully integrated under the rule of the NHS and its regional boards. Due to the organisation of its federated system, Switzerland can be seen as a laboratory of different configurations of reform/conservation of the present organisation of healthcare services in prisons. The Netherlands's choice to maintain the organisation of healthcare under the rule of the Prison Service (Dienst Justitiele Inrichtingen) and to organise a medical service in every prison provides an interesting counterpoint to the other cases.... Details: Brussels: Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE). 2017. 172p. Source: Internet Resource: KCE REPORT 293 :Accessed February 27, 2018 at: https://kce.fgov.be/sites/default/files/atoms/files/KCE_293_Prisons_health_care_Chapter_4.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Europe URL: https://kce.fgov.be/sites/default/files/atoms/files/KCE_293_Prisons_health_care_Chapter_4.pdf Shelf Number: 154784 Keywords: Correctional HealthHealth CareHealth ServicesInmate HealthPrison Health |