Articles tagged with Imprisonment
Prison environments can benefit from behavior modification techniques, such as systematic reinforcement of pro-social behaviors. Decreasing prison populations is also crucial, particularly for those with high-risk behavior, and providing job training to help prisoners reintegrate into society.
The US Department of Defense has been criticized for its handling of medical care at Guantanamo Bay, with a report highlighting concerns over the use of medical personnel in interrogation and force-feeding of detainees on hunger strike. Independent examinations of released detainees have shown severe psychological damage from detention.
A relocation experiment using Hurricane Katrina led researchers to conclude that moving away from a crime-producing environment reduces the likelihood of re-incarceration for parolees. The study found ex-prisoners who relocated were 15% less likely to be re-incarcerated within the first year.
A new study found that former prisoners are less likely to return to jail if they expect longer sentences for future crimes. The study used Italy's Collective Clemency Bill as a natural experiment, measuring the deterrent effect of prison sentences on recidivism rates. Results show that even small increases in expected sentence length ...
Former inmates face significant health risks without Medicaid coverage upon release, including increased drug use and mortality. States can follow New York's lead by suspending Medicaid benefits instead of terminating them, allowing for smoother re-enrollment process.
A conference on prison pandemic preparedness in Georgia demonstrates effective training methods, including interactive approaches and experiential learning. The event fosters partnerships between correctional health and public health officials to enhance pandemic response capabilities.
A new UAB study reveals that prisoners with positive social support networks are more likely to maintain their religious convictions. The research, conducted in-depth interviews with 63 inmates at the Mississippi State Penitentiary, found that social support played a crucial role in helping inmates cope with prison life.
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that people with a family member or friend in prison experience worse physical and mental health, stress, and depressive symptoms. This toll affects African Americans disproportionately due to higher rates of incarceration.
Young adults who have been incarcerated are more likely to develop high blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy. They also face barriers to accessing regular medical care.
Physicians from the Catholic University of Rome assessed health conditions of 150 children living with mothers in prison. Environmental factors and early weaning are linked to premature birth, hypertension, and allergy risk. Vaccination status is also a concern, with only 14% of jail-bound children fully vaccinated.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals that most adolescents referred to long-term group homes in Los Angeles County continue to struggle with substance abuse and crime seven years after being sent to the program. The study found that 36% had used hard drugs in the past year, while 66% reported engaging in illegal activities.
A study found that only 5% of released inmates filled an initial prescription for antiretroviral therapy within 10 days, highlighting significant barriers to accessing care. The majority experienced treatment interruptions lasting at least 30 or 60 days, increasing the risk of drug resistance and community transmission.
A study of over 2,000 HIV-infected prisoners found that 80% experienced significant interruptions in antiretroviral therapy after release. This can lead to poor clinical outcomes and the creation of drug-resistant HIV reservoirs in the community.
The 'Besieged in Britain' report reveals the psychological damage caused by extreme denials of civil liberties, including severe mental health problems and suicide attempts. The policy has led to men being held under house arrest for long periods, subjected to random police searches, and forced to leave their families.
The Declaration of Tokyo, a landmark event in medical ethics, needs revision to clarify physician roles and duties in countries with prisoner abuse. A revised version should incorporate authoritative definitions, publicly post death certificates, and commend accountability for abetting abuse.
Prisons have high-risk environments for HIV transmission due to needle-sharing. Implementing needle/syringe programs (NSPs) and opioid substitution therapy (OST) can reduce risky behavior, overdose deaths, and improve relationships between prisoners and staff. These measures are essential for protecting prisoners' health.
A new study by University of Oregon sociologists found that Americans who are unemployed, incarcerated, or impoverished are more likely to be classified as black, regardless of their past self-identification. The research suggests that race is closely tied to social status and can be altered by changes in economic position.
A new study reveals that substance abuse disorders (SUDs) and other psychiatric disorders are prevalent among French prisoners. Dual diagnosis (DD), a co-existence of SUD and any Axis I disorder, is a major risk factor for suicide, with mood and anxiety disorders being the most frequent disorders found in DD prisoners.
China has introduced new regulations for organ transplantation that ban financial rewards for donors and establish safeguards to prevent exploitation. The changes have led to a significant decrease in transplants from dead donors and an increase in living donor transplants.
Research highlights the importance of including incarcerated populations in health studies to improve community health outcomes. The Journal of Correctional Health Care publishes original research on correctional health care topics, featuring findings on primary care, infectious disease, and mental health.
The Lancet Editorial emphasizes the importance of independent medical assessment for hunger strikers and criticizes the lack of emphasis on impartial advice and care. Force feeding is deemed unacceptable in clinical management, and prisoners or detainees are entitled to highest clinical standards worldwide.
A University of Washington study reveals a massive intervention by the US prison system on American families, disproportionately affecting black males. The research found higher rates of infertility, infectious diseases like TB and HIV/AIDS, and increased migration to rural areas among black inmates.
A team of scholars argues that modifying lethal injection protocols in US states could be tantamount to experimenting on prisoners without their consent. Guidelines for human research involving humans were developed to prevent exploitation of vulnerable populations like death row inmates, but many states fail to follow these guidelines.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill found that non-white defendants are nearly twice as likely to receive severe prison sentences than white defendants. The study of North Carolina cases from 2000 and 2001 highlights the need for re-examining judicial responses to child abuse.
The study found that 95% of participants completed the program, linking them to medical care for a year after release. This continuity of care improved health outcomes, reduced costs, and may have reduced HIV transmission. Researchers credited the use of professional social workers with the program's success.
A RAND Corporation study found that deportable immigrants released from the Los Angeles County jail system had a similar recidivism rate as non-deportable immigrants, with 43% being rearrested within a year compared to 35%. The study controlled for factors such as age and criminal history.
A three-year study will be conducted in UK prisons to investigate the impact of nutrition on behavior, including violence and self-harm. The study aims to identify the most important nutrients for brain function and behavior.
The UN voted to abolish the death penalty globally, with 125 countries already having done so. In the US, 126 death-row inmates have been exonerated due to DNA evidence, raising concerns about the fairness of the practice.
Research published in Journal of Correctional Health Care explores the history and future of correctional health care in America's prisons and jails. Inmates often experience inadequate access to quality care, leading to poor health outcomes, and follow-up care after release is also a concern.
A University of Missouri researcher studied peer relationships among inmates to understand the social structure of California prisons. He found that respect is rooted in perceived similarities and is conveyed through various behaviors, such as eye contact and physical orientation.
A new study found that individuals with alcohol dependence and conduct disorder have a high number of sex partners, increasing their risk for unintended pregnancies, infections, and reproductive health damage. Researchers also suggested that college campuses and healthcare staff play crucial roles in addressing this issue.
Researchers found that most crime is committed by a small fraction of criminals, and investing in rehabilitation for these individuals may have prevented some murders. By focusing on high-risk areas, governments can reduce crime and violence with more efficient resource allocation.
Researchers found a significant correlation between inhalant use and suicidality, with girls more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and attempts. The study involved 723 incarcerated youth and revealed that over 80% of girl participants who abused inhalants had attempted suicide.
Researchers at UCLA developed a mathematical model to assess the severity and predict the consequences of Staphylococcus Aureus outbreaks in the Los Angeles County Jail. The model identified that continuous inflow of colonized individuals is the primary cause of sustained outbreaks.
A study of Ontario prison inmates found injection drug use was the leading risk factor for HIV and HCV infections, with rates 11-22 times higher than in the general population. Targeted education and prevention efforts are recommended to address the high rates of recidivism and short stays in remand facilities.
A new study found that African Americans on death row for killing non-whites are less likely to be executed than other condemned prisoners. Blacks who kill whites face a higher risk of execution, with a disparity in execution rates based on the race of victims.
A study of 1607 Quebec prisoners found injection drug use was the leading risk factor for HIV and HCV infections. The majority of infected inmates reported being injection drug users before imprisonment, highlighting the need for pre-imprisonment testing and harm-reduction measures.
A study by UC Irvine found that girls in juvenile detention centers face unique psychological issues, including twice as much aggression as boys and high levels of alcohol and drug use. The researchers suggest that training staff to recognize these issues could help improve the situation.
In two Thai prisons, Médecins Sans Frontières successfully delivered HIV prevention and treatment programs, showing comparable clinical outcomes with other settings. Meanwhile, research highlights the need for increased surveillance and efforts to address escalating road traffic injuries in Africa.
The incidence of community-associated MRSA skin and soft tissue infections increased seven-fold between 2000 and 2005 in Chicago's Cook County Hospital system. Risk factors for CA-MRSA include incarceration, African-American race/ethnicity, and poor hygiene.
A study found that chronically ill prisoners face daily discomfort and fear of bullying due to inadequate healthcare policies. However, some prisoners reported improved health and access to mental health services during their incarceration.
A RAND Corporation study found that participants in Allegheny County Mental Health Court received more mental health services, spent fewer days in jail, and had sustained declines in jail time over two years. The study confirmed that mental health courts make fiscal sense by reducing government costs.
Operations researchers introduced unbiased analytical tools to study criminal justice, shedding new light on crime patterns and the effectiveness of imprisonment. Prof. Blumstein's work reveals that crime rates fell during the crack cocaine epidemic as people turned away from the drug, while imprisonment did not prevent crime.
WikiLeaks, an online service designed to allow anyone to post sensitive government documents without being traced, is set to launch. The site aims to protect whistle-blowers and journalists from jail sentences for emailing sensitive information; however, concerns remain about the misuse of its anonymity feature.
Inadequate treatment of mental illness and addiction in the community contributes to rising incarceration rates. Effective therapy like mental health services and substance abuse programs can reduce recidivism. Physicians are urged to campaign for humane treatment alternatives.
Two studies in Florida found that economic pressure from hospitals and insurance companies can negatively affect the quality of care for some people, particularly those in prison. Researchers suggest that standard protocols and decision support systems can help prevent bias and prioritizing in patient care.
A study by UC Irvine sociologists finds that certain groups of U.S.-born children of immigrants, such as those of Mexican, Haitian, and West Indian descent, face lower levels of education, income, and higher incarceration rates. The study confirms the critical importance of education in overcoming these challenges.
Prisons in the US are woefully ill-prepared for a flu pandemic, putting the public at risk. Nearly 85% of prisoners will be released within a year, carrying diseases like HIV and tuberculosis with them.
The new guidelines offer 13 principles for rehabilitating drug offenders, aiming to reduce recidivism and crime rates. Implementing evidence-based treatment programs can lead to significant financial savings, with every dollar spent on addiction treatment resulting in a four to seven dollar reduction in community spending.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has released a landmark scientific report that outlines proven components for successful treatment of drug abusers in the criminal justice system. Effective treatment can save communities money and reduce crime, with studies showing a significant reduction in recidivism rates and arrests.
A study found that recently released prisoners in England and Wales are at a significantly higher risk of suicide, particularly women, who are 36 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population. The authors suggest that inadequate mental health care and support after release from prison may contribute to this risk.
Researcher Joseph Newman challenges the loaded label of 'psychopath,' arguing it's applied too liberally without understanding key elements. His work suggests psychopathy is a learning disability that makes individuals oblivious to consequences, with significant implications for treatment and behavioral interventions.
A study found that incarcerated women are 14 times more likely to start using birth control when it's offered in prison. This suggests that easy access to contraceptives can empower women and prevent high-risk pregnancies. Despite this, barriers remain, including lack of insurance and housing after release.
A study found that marketing products as remedies can actually increase risky behavior among those who are most at risk. The authors argue that remedy messages can have a boomerang effect on the people they intend to help, creating a serious problem for individuals and society.
The Journal addresses areas such as clinical health care and staffing, providing a forum for discussions on collaborations between corrections and public health programs. A free sample issue will be available online in April, offering researchers and practitioners access to the best available research on correctional medicine.
Researchers found that aging prisoners in California's prison system struggle with physical independence, with many requiring assistance with daily tasks due to age-related health issues. The study recommends modifications such as grab bars in showers and rubber mats on shower floors to improve safety for older inmates.
A study found that delaying surgery for men with asymptomatic inguinal hernias has similar outcomes to surgical repair, with lower risk of post-operative complications. Watchful waiting can be a viable alternative for these patients.
Research examines how drug policy affects incarceration rates and HIV infection levels among African Americans, who make up 40% of those incarcerated and 50% of new HIV diagnoses. The study calls for further research on the corrections system's impact on HIV risk and recommends investigating specific components of drug policy.
A recent study highlights the urgent need for consistent HIV prevention methods in prisons, despite international guidelines recommending similar healthcare standards. Experts argue that mass incarceration of non-violent drug-offenders needs review and should prioritize public health over punitive policies.
The PRISON II trial found that CYPHER Stent patients experienced lower rates of in-stent restenosis and target vessel failure compared to bare metal stents. This study provides new clinical evidence for the use of CYPHER Stent in complex patient cases.