Search

Purpose Large numbers of women in prison report significant emotional and mental health problems, and there is evidence to suggest that the prison environment may exacerbate the incidence and severity of these issues (Armour, 2012). However, there has been limited exploration of the extent to which women’s mental health problems exist prior to incarceration, whether symptoms first occur in incarceration, and how incarceration affects this. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach In-depth interviews were conducted with 43 women incarcerated in three English prisons and a thematic analysis of the data was conducted. Review of official prison records provided a form of data triangulation.Findings Analysis of the data revealed that while many women who experienced mental health issues in prison had experienced these issues in the past, a number of women reported first experiencing mental health and emotional problems only after entering prison. Although these problems often recede, this demonstrates the significant impact that entering prison can have upon the mental health of women. Unusually, the data highlighted many positive experiences of support within prison. However, there was some lack of consistency in the treatment and support offered to women.Originality/value The data presented here are in many ways more positive than previous research and – as opposed to much of the existing literature that simply states the prevalence women’s issues in prison – provides insight into the lived experiences of women in prison. This paper documents how prison can present an opportunity for women to engage with treatment, but there is a need for a clearer understanding of women’s needs and consistent and appropriate support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper contributes to research on the education-health association by extending the scope of inquiry to adult inmates. Not only are inmates excluded from most nationally representative studies of health but they also represent a highly select group in terms of both education and health. As such, our study provides new information about the health of incarcerated populations and it extends the generalizability of the education-health association beyond the non-institutionalized population.Methods: We use a prison-level fixed-effects regression model with the 2004 Survey of Inmates in State Correctional Facilities (n = 287 facilities) to evaluate the effects of education on a standardized morbidity scale of 11 lifetime and current health conditions among incarcerated men (n = 10,493) and women (n = 2,797).Results: Education prior to incarceration is negatively associated with lifetime health problems for both women and men and the association is stronger among women. Among inmates who enter prison with less than a GED level of education, attaining a GED in prison is associated with better current health outcomes for men, but not women.Conclusions: The generalization of the education-health association among prisoners further highlights the fundamental nature of education as a health promotive resource. Discussed are the implications for the education-health literature in general and health promotion efforts among incarcerated adults specifically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article seeks to identify and discuss violations and challenges to the fulfillment of women's reproductive rights in situations of deprivation of liberty, with an emphasis on sexual and reproductive health. Regulatory parameters were considered as analytical frameworks that support these rights identified by the literature, and the discourses and practices linked to their effectiveness in the everyday life of prisons, collected in interviews with pregnant women and children in prisons, and the professionals whose practices interfere with the exercise of these rights. It was discovered that violations of these rights find support in speech that delegitimizes the motherhood of these women. We consider the use of rights as strategic in the struggle for the transformation of this situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have allowed imprisoned mothers to speak directly about motherhood. In this work, 20 convicted Portuguese mothers were interviewed about their experience of motherhood: Ten were raising their children in prison, and 10 were performing their roles as mothers from prison. The study aimed to understand the potential benefits and detriments of motherhood in both circumstances, and to identify what measures could improve the mothers’ conditions. Using thematic analysis, the findings indicate that women whose children live with them in prison experience some advantages, but motherhood also increases suffering due to restrictions on liberty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women in prison in Africa experience compounded discrimination due to gender and poverty. Structural inequality results in women being poorly educated, having reduced access to economic resources and legal processes. Women often remain in pre-trial detention since they are unable to afford bail or fines. A significant number of women in prison are mothers and often, the sole or primary caregiver of children prior to detention. The true impact of female detention is felt by children who are imprisoned with their mothers, or who remain alone on the outside. In addition to the profound social and economic impact on families, women in prison are affected by a number of gender-related issues, including reproductive health needs, mental health disorders connected to prior experiences of violence, abuse and substance abuse, and heightened vulnerability to sexual abuse and harassment in detention. The literature review looks at the reasons for female imprisonment in a number of African countries, and explores the unique needs of women in detention, against the backdrop of the international detention framework, and particularly, the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The number of offenders with eating disorders in women's prisons in Japan has grown annually over the last 15 years. Women's prisons have experienced significant difficulties in the management of patients with eating disorders who have body-critical complications arising from low body weight, in addition to behavioral problems. Patients in Japan's 185 correctional facilities who display high refractoriness or who present a physical risk are transferred to the Hachioji medical prison, a national specialty hospital operated by the Ministry of Justice. The medical prison must manage any psychosomatic problems necessary for the safety of inmates regardless of a patient's wishes. The most common conviction resulting in imprisonment of women with eating disorders was shoplifting (n = 44; 63%), with the second most common being drug-offenses (n = 17; 24%). While shoplifting is of concern in relation to eating disorders, a causal relationship remains unclear. Most patients in the shoplifting group did not have histories of antisocial and/or impulsive behaviors such as drug abuse, sexual deviation, self-injury, or other criminal activity. Instead, shoplifting appears to be an obsessive-compulsive behavior deeply rooted in the psychopathology of severe eating disorder patients. Patients in this group tended to have histories of relatively high education and steady employment, although most also had histories of prolonged eating disorders and unstable treatment. Although adherence to treatment was poor among patients with eating disorders in the medical prison, body weight and behavioral problems improved following treatment in the special compulsory environment, without severe sequelae or patient death. The Ministry of Justice recently established another specialized ward for the care for female patients with eating disorders. If greater emphasis is placed on early-stage, protective, medical treatment, the number of patients with eating disorders in prisons may decrease. Further research is required to investigate the relationship between shoplifting and eating disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of non-criminogenic identities is associated with criminal desistance. This article explores the ways in which women use prison foodways to try to construct positive identities and the impact of correctional policy on these efforts. Formerly-incarcerated women were interviewed about the acquisition, preparation, distribution, and consumption of food in prison. In these narratives, women used their prison food practices in an attempt to construct themselves as 'good' and 'healthy'. Stories showcased their capacity for friendship, empathy, self-care, and recovery. However, these positive identities were destabilised by prison rules and unhealthy food choices. Prison policies should be reviewed to promote inmates' efforts to construct these positive characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Past studies have identified poor rates of detection of mental illness among inmates. Consequently, mental health screening is a common feature to various correctional mental health strategies and best practice guidelines. However, there is little guidance to support the selection of an appropriate tool. This systematic review compared the sensitivity and specificity of mental health screening tools among adult jail or prison populations. Methods A systematic review of MEDLINE and PsycINFO up to 2011, with additional studies identified from a search of reference lists. Only studies involving adult jail or prison populations, with an independent measure of mental illness, were included. Studies in forensic settings to determine fitness to stand trial or criminal responsibility were excluded. Twenty-four studies met all inclusion and exclusion criteria for the review. All articles were coded by two independent authors. Study quality was coded by the lead author. Results Twenty-two screening tools were identified. Only six tools have replication studies: the Brief Jail Mental Health Screen (BJMHS), the Correctional Mental Health Screen for Men (CMHS-M), the Correctional Mental Health Screen for Women (CMHS-W), the England Mental Health Screen (EMHS), the Jail Screening Assessment Tool (JSAT), and the Referral Decision Scale (RDS). A descriptive summary is provided in lieu of use of meta-analytic techniques due to the lack of replication studies and methodological variations across studies. Conclusions The BJMHS, CMHS-M, CMHS-W, EMHS and JSAT appear to be the most promising tools. Future research should consider important contextual factors in the implementation of a screening tool that have received little attention. Randomized or quasi-randomized trials are recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of screening to improve the detection of mental illness compared to standard practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pakistan ranks 125th out of 169 countries on the Gender Development Index (GDI) and has high prevalence rates of violence against women. The objective of this original research was to determine the frequencies and identify patterns of harassment among women in a prison of Karachi. Methods: It was a cross sectional survey conducted from 1 st April 2011 to 31 st June 2011 of all women incarcerated at Karachi Central Prison. A total of 70 women prisoners were present in the prison at the time of the study. However, only 38 women prisoners consented to provide respective information. Women prisoners were interviewed on a pretested questionnaire after obtaining necessary ethical approval from the authorities. Results: Study results indicate that frequency of harassment in the women prison Karachi was 21 %. It was predominant in < 35 age group, which is around 75% of all women in jail. Most of the i.e. 87% of the harassed women were literate. Majority of study participants were married and study revealed that unmarried women are harassed twice than married women. The patterns and frequencies of emotional harassment experienced by women prisoners were; dirty looks and unwanted appreciation of beauty and figure. The women harassed in age group 15-25 were more in this study as compared to rest of the women. Additionally about 31% of middle class women faced harassment. Conclusion: This study shows that a considerable harassment exists amongst incarcerated women at the central prison Karachi. Prisoner women themselves had no clear appreciation of the problem or its dynamics. Steps need to be taken to prevent the women from harassment in the prisons and strong measures be done to protect them against any potential harms during incarceration. (Pak J Public Health 2012;2(4):25-8). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Incarcerated women have had limited access to health care prior to their arrest. Although their incarceration presents an opportunity to provide them with health care, their reproductive health needs have been overlooked. Study Design: We performed a cross-sectional study of a nationally representative sample of 950 correctional health providers who are members of the Academy of Correctional Health Providers. Results: A total of 405 surveys (43%) were returned, and 286 (30%) were eligible for analysis. Most ineligible surveys were from clinicians at male-only facilities. Of eligible respondents, 70% reported some degree of contraception counseling for women at their facilities. Only 11% provided routine counseling prior to release. Seventy percent said that their institution had no formal policy on contraception. Thirty-eight percent of clinicians provided birth control methods at their facilities. Although the most frequently counseled and prescribed method was oral contraceptive pills, only 50% of providers rated their oral contraceptive counseling ability as good or very good. Contraception counseling was associated with working at a juvenile facility, and with screening for sexually transmitted infections. Conclusions: Contraception does not appear to be integrated into the routine delivery of clinical services to incarcerated women. Because the correctional health care system can provide important clinical and public health interventions to traditionally marginalized populations, services for incarcerated women should include access to contraception. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper describes the development of a unique prison participatory research project, in which incarcerated women formed a research team, the research activities and the lessons learned. The participatory action research project was conducted in the main short sentence minimum/medium security women's prison located in a Western Canadian province. An ethnographic multi-method approach was used for data collection and analysis. Quantitative data was collected by surveys and analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was collected from orientation package entries, audio recordings, and written archives of research team discussions, forums and debriefings, and presentations. These data and ethnographic observations were transcribed and analysed using iterative and interpretative qualitative methods and NVivo 7 software. Up to 15 women worked each day as prison research team members; a total of 190 women participated at some time in the project between November 2005 and August 2007. Incarcerated women peer researchers developed the research processes including opportunities for them to develop leadership and technical skills. Through these processes, including data collection and analysis, nine health goals emerged. Lessons learned from the research processes were confirmed by the common themes that emerged from thematic analysis of the research activity data. Incarceration provides a unique opportunity for engagement of women as expert partners alongside academic researchers and primary care workers in participatory research processes to improve their health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights the findings in relation to health need, ethnicity, and health service use among a sample of women in prison. Medical records review for 129 women and interviews with 15 women were conducted to determine factors associated with differential service use. Statistical analyses reveal that ethnicity and an interaction between ethnicity and whether one is on medication at prison admission (a health need variable) significantly predict extent of service use. Women of color use fewer services overall, with the exception of those on medication. Qualitative analyses reveal that women of color view the quality of medical care and the ways they are treated less positively than White women. Implications for equitable service provision are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study is to assess current hepatitis C services for female prisoners. The study design includes a retrospective audit of inmates' contact with blood-borne virus (BBV) services and outcomes of service use. The study was carried out at a prison for women in the north of England with 179 prisoners and 69 service users. The outcome measures were proportions in contact with services and outcomes of service use (time to testing/treatment; proportion positive for hepatitis C; HIV status). Almost a quarter of those arriving at the prison have contact with BBV services; most of them report a history of intravenous drug use (75.4%), although one-fifth of such individuals decline testing. The average number of days from imprisonment to testing was 86-half this time if arriving since October 2006. Fifty percent were positive for the hepatitis C antibody, the majority of whom (83.3%) had an active virus and were suitable for treatment. The average number of days from testing to referral was 38. All tested for HIV were negative. Therefore, efficiency is necessary if prisoners are to access BBV services while incarcerated. This is being achieved, although some delays still occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]