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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
Time: 3:24 am
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Results for prison health
7 results foundAuthor: Commission on Sex in Prison (U.K.) Title: Consensual sex among men in prison Summary: Key points - There is evidence to show that sex in prison does happen - There is no prison rule prohibiting sex between prisoners but prison staff do not allow prisoners to have sex - It is difficult, if not impossible, for prison staff to be able to distinguish between consensual and coercive sexual relationships between prisoners - Prisons need to ensure that they protect the vulnerable - Prisoners should be able to access condoms confidentially to minimise the risk of sexually transmitted infections - Prisons have a duty under the Equalities Act 2010 not to discriminate against anyone because of their sexuality. Policies to prevent sex in prison can be perceived by some as discriminatory towards openly gay prisoners - The prison population is a high-risk group for sexually transmitted infections and risk-taking sexual behaviour. The need for harm reduction measures in prisons is widely recognised but they are poorly delivered - Prison staff need training on how to deal with sex between prisoners - Most prisoners will return to the community. Sexual health policies are important not just for prisoners but for wider society. Details: London: Howard League for Penal Reform, 2013. 6p. Source: Internet Resource: Briefing paper 1: Accessed March 26, at: http://www.commissiononsexinprison.org/fileadmin/howard_league/user/pdf/Commission_on_Sex_in_Prison/sex_commission_final.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.commissiononsexinprison.org/fileadmin/howard_league/user/pdf/Commission_on_Sex_in_Prison/sex_commission_final.pdf Shelf Number: 135069 Keywords: Consensual Sexual ActivityPrison HealthPrisonersSex in Prison (U.K.) |
Author: Commission on Sex in Prison (U.K.) Title: Healthy sexual development of children in prison Summary: - The majority of children in custody are adolescent boys aged 15 to 17. They are likely to have reached physical sexual maturity and may be sexually active. They have not yet reached cognitive, emotional and social maturity - Children in custody are vulnerable and most will have experienced disadvantage. Some will have been sexually abused prior to custody - Prison severely restricts children's opportunities to form normal healthy relationships and can damage or delay the maturation process - LGBT children are more isolated in prison and more vulnerable to bullying or abuse by other children or by staff - Sexual abuse by other children or by staff does happen in prison - Children in prison should have access to sexual health services - The high levels of violence in prison might be a risk factor for the development of sexual aggression among boys - The needs of vulnerable children with complex needs cannot be met in large prisons with low staff to child ratios. Details: London: Howard League for Penal Reform, 2015. 7p. Source: Internet Resource: Briefing paper 4: Accessed March 26, 2015 at: http://www.commissiononsexinprison.org/fileadmin/howard_league/user/online_publications/healthy_sexual_development_web1.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.commissiononsexinprison.org/fileadmin/howard_league/user/online_publications/healthy_sexual_development_web1.pdf Shelf Number: 135071 Keywords: Juvenile DetentionJuvenile Inmates (U.K.)Prison HealthSex in PrisonYoung Adult Inmates |
Author: Disability Rights New York Title: Report and Recommendations Concerning Attica Correctional Facility's Residential Mental Health Unit Summary: Disability Rights New York (DRNY) is the designated federal Protection and Advocacy System for individuals with disabilities in New York State. DRNY has broad authority under federal and state law to monitor conditions and investigate allegations of abuse or neglect occurring in any public or private facility, including state prisons. DRNY monitored and investigated Attica Correctional Facility's Residential Mental Health Unit (RMHU), one of several residential mental health treatment units (RMHTU). The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) operates segregated disciplinary confinement units called Special Housing Units (SHU) and Long-Term Keeplock Units. Individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness must be removed from SHU or LongTerm Keeplock and placed into a RMHTU. The RMHTUs are jointly operated by DOCCS and the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH). DRNY conducted a site visit and in-person interviews at Attica in August 2015, corresponded with incarcerated individuals from August 2015 through December 2016, reviewed security and mental health records and policies, and communicated with DOCCS and OMH executive staff. DRNY finds that DOCCS and OMH abused and neglected RMHU participants, and violated New York Correction Law provisions governing RMHTUs, collectively known as the SHU Exclusion Law. Specifically, DRNY finds DOCCS and OMH violated New York Correction Law - 2(21), 401(1), 401(2), and 401(6). 1. DOCCS and OMH neglected and abused RMHU participants by imposing cell shields in the RMHU without consideration of an individual's mental health condition and without clinical input by OMH, in violation of the SHU Exclusion Law. 2. DOCCS's regulations fail to require OMH clinical input and consideration of mental health status before issuing and when renewing cell shield orders, thereby violating the SHU Exclusion Law. 3. DOCCS's use of cell shields in the RMHU violates state regulations and due process by failing to justify implementation and continuation of cell shield orders. 4. DOCCS and OMH neglected and abused RMHU participants by failing to clinically assess their therapeutic needs prior to imposing programming restrictions, despite the requirement of the SHU Exclusion Law, and by failing to provide a safe environment. 5. DOCCS neglected RMHU participants and violated the SHU Exclusion Law by staffing the RMHU with SHU officers and other untrained staff. DOCCS continued to neglect individuals and violate the law by failing to correct the problem after notification by DRNY. 6. DOCCS and OMH neglected RMHU participants by providing "alternative therapy" cellside, including in some cases when participants are behind cell shields, thereby denying RMHU participants appropriate treatment. 7. DOCCS does not provide an adequate therapeutic setting for RMHU participants. DOCCS and OMH must take immediate action to ensure a therapeutic environment that is free from abuse and neglect. Details: Albany: Disability Rights New York, 2017. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 6, 2018 at: http://new.drny.org/docs/reports/attica-rmhu-report-9-12-2017.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: http://new.drny.org/docs/reports/attica-rmhu-report-9-12-2017.pdf Shelf Number: 149012 Keywords: Attica Correctional FacilityCorrectional HealthHealth CareMental Health CareMentally Ill InmatesPrison Health |
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: McGuire, James Title: Understanding Prison Violence: A Rapid Evidence Assessment Summary: The occurrence of violent assault in prison is a challenging problem. This Analytical Summary reports the findings of a rapid evidence assessment (REA) into the causes of physically violent assaults by male adult prisoners. The REA reviewed 97 research studies published since 1st January 2000. Key findings - Most of the published research is focused on imported characteristics - the personal characteristics of men who are violent in prison - and attempts to predict who they will be. Imported characteristics associated with prison violence include youth, history of earlier violence in prison or with violent convictions, membership of gangs, low self-control, anger, temper, mental health problems, and antisocial attitudes and personality. - The prison environment also plays a considerable role in how prisoners behave. Physically poor conditions, highly controlling regimes, or by contrast circumstances in which rules are unevenly applied or not adhered to or where prisoners do not experience staff decisions as fair or legitimate, can each heighten tensions and induce stresses potentially giving rise to conflict and assault. - Perhaps surprisingly, evidence that crowding in and of itself was a direct cause of violence was fairly weak. Research suggested that the effects of crowding are mediated through staff-prisoner interactions and that the crucial factor in maintaining order is the availability and the skills of unit staff. - Some features of prison activity make violence less likely. Places within a prison where prisoners are engaged in purposeful activities they consider valuable, such as workshops and education, are less prone to be sites of aggression. Violence is more likely to occur in places that offer less purpose, have fewer formal ground-rules, and lower staff oversight, such as cells. - A policy designed to reduce violence could be oriented towards situational control aspects of day-to-day prison management. That would require staff training in the use of styles and patterns of interaction that wield authority alongside instilling respect. Details: London: HM Prison and Probation Service: 2018. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 7, 2018 at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/737956/understanding-prison-violence.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/737956/understanding-prison-violence.pdf Shelf Number: 151429 Keywords: Correctional Administration Offender ManagementPrison Administration Prison Conditions Prison Health Prison Violence Prisons |
Author: Irish Prison Service Title: Self-harm in Irish Prisons 2017: First report from the Self-Harm Assessment and Data Analysis (SADA) Project Summary: This is the first report on episodes of self-harm recorded in Irish Prisons arising from the Self-Harm Assessment and Data Analysis (SADA) Project, relating to the year 2017. Main findings -- - Between 01 January and 31 December 2017, there were 223 episodes of self-harm recorded in Irish Prisons, involving 138 individuals. The majority of prisoners were male (80%) and the mean age was 32 years. - The annual person-based rate of self-harm was 4.0 per 100 prisoners. Thus, an episode of self-harm was recorded for 4% of the prison population. The rate of self-harm was 4.4 times higher among female prisoners (16.0 versus 3.6 per 100). Compared with sentenced prisoners, the rate of self-harm was 2.4 times higher among prisoners on remand (7.4 versus 3.1 per 100). The rate of self-harm was highest among prisoners aged 18-29 years, at 5.0 per 100 prisoners. The rate of self-harm was highest for male prisoners among those aged 18-24 years (5.0 per 100) and for female prisoners among 25-29 year-olds (12.0 per 100). - Episodes of self-harm were more likely to occur on weekdays, with one in five (22%) episodes occurring on Tuesdays. More than half of episodes (52%) occurred between 2pm and 8pm. Most episodes (60%) occurred while prisoners were unlocked from cells. - One-quarter of individuals engaged in self-harm more than once during the calendar year, and this was more pronounced for male prisoners - 26% of male prisoners repeated self-harm compared with 16% of female prisoners. - The most common method of self-harm recorded was self-cutting or scratching, present in 62% of all episodes. The other common method of self-harm was attempted hanging, involved in 21% of episodes. Methods of self-harm were similar for male and female prisoners. - Three-quarters (77%) of self-harm episodes involved prisoners in single cell accommodation. Considering the overall prison population, 53% were accommodated in single cells in 2017. While 44% of prisoners who engaged in self-harm were in general population accommodation, a - No medical treatment was required in more than one-third (39%) of episodes. Almost half (46%) required minimal intervention or local wound management in the prison and one in eight (14%) required hospital (inpatient or outpatient) treatment. In 2017, there were four episodes of self-harm (2%) which resulted in the loss of life. The severity of self-harm was elevated among male prisoners. - Half (54%) of self-harm episodes were recorded as having no / low degree of suicidal intent, with 29% having medium intent. Approximately one in six (17%) were deemed to have a high degree of suicidal intent. - A high degree of suicidal intent was evident in 15% of the self-harm episodes that did not require medical treatment. High intent cases were only slightly more prevalent, at 21%, among episodes that required local or outpatient treatment. - There was a range of contributory factors associated with the episodes of self-harm recorded, relating to environmental, relational, procedural, medical and mental health factors. The majority (58%) of factors related to mental health issues, 38% to relational issues and 36% to environmental issues. - The four fatal episodes of self-harm involved male prisoners who were on remand. Multiple contributory factors were associated with these deaths. Details: Longford: Irish Prison Service, 2018. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 14, 2018 at: https://www.irishprisons.ie/wp-content/uploads/documents_pdf/Prison-self-harm-annual-report-2017.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Ireland URL: https://www.irishprisons.ie/wp-content/uploads/documents_pdf/Prison-self-harm-annual-report-2017.pdf Shelf Number: 153460 Keywords: Prison HealthPrison Suicide Prisoner Self-Harm Prisoners |
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 |