Search

The negative consequences of prisons, the ever-increasing population of prisons, and the increase in public expenses due to the high rate of inflation, have put the use of electronic surveillance on the agenda of criminal policymakers. Electronic monitoring leads to a better realization of the principle of individualizing the punishment according to the personality of the criminal. From the point of view of preventive policy, the use of electronic monitoring tools is justified and reduces crime, especially in the case of professional criminals. Imprisonment and other punitive punishments or orders lead to arrest, cause people to receive a bad label, and as a result, develop secondary deviance in people. Electronic surveillance as a new form of punishment or substitute for supply appointments prevents the formation of secondary deviation in people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly, religion plays a significant role in the rehabilitation of inmates across the US and Canada. While there is no shortage of literature on the effects of religion within penal institutions, there is a lacuna of scholarship dealing with Islam in carceral spaces. American and Canadian prisons offer unique opportunities to understand the relationship between Muslim chaplains and the prison experience more broadly. Based upon a substantive review of the literature, our conceptual article will examine ongoing challenges with prison chaplaincy within US and Canadian prisons. Broadly, findings suggest that existing structures for religious services for Muslim inmates are neither unified nor systemic, often lacking in funding and resources. Moreover, we find that Muslim chaplains often perceive inequitable treatment by prison authorities due to their historic underrepresentation as well as their religious affiliation. Our discussion will highlight the disparities in penal settings and make recommendations, including but not limited to the need to increase public investment in prison chaplaincy, the need to pay imams-as-chaplains a living wage to help prisoners, and the deradicalization effects of a well-funded and well-trained Muslim chaplaincy, among others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preventing escapes from custody is an essential function of prisons and jails. Yet, when these incidents occur, little is known about how often or quickly escapees are recaptured. Drawing on the routine activities framework, this study examines a dataset of 610 prison and jail escapees collected through a comprehensive open-source search protocol. The study uses logistic and Cox regression techniques to determine which factors are associated with being recaptured and the time-to-recapture. Findings indicate that more than 91 percent of escapees were recaptured within 1 year and very few remained on the lam for more than a few days. People who escape from nonsecure facilities (often called walkaways) were less likely to be recaptured and remained out of custody for longer durations than those who escaped from secure facilities or while outside under secure (e.g., transport) or nonsecure (e.g., work release) settings. Jail escapees were also less likely to be recaptured, and were apprehended more slowly, than those who fled from a prison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite efforts to reduce the number of people in the United States living in prison, people with mental illnesses continue to be overrepresented in prisons. This study explores how race impacts the prison experiences of individuals with mental illnesses. Thirty-seven participants were recruited from three states via flyers at community treatment providers and through word of mouth. Participants completed in-depth, semi-structured interviews and surveys to understand prison experiences and collect demographic information. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, framework method analysis, and an intersectional lens. Findings show that participant experiences were influenced by race through interpersonal interactions between those incarcerated and through interactions between people incarcerated and correctional staff. Intersectional identities underlying these interactions were explored including race, socioeconomic status, rural versus urban residents, and subordinate/dominant roles tied to power (e.g., staff vs. person incarcerated). These findings provide insight into how race, mental illness, and criminal-legal contact intersect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To evaluate the impact of the CD4 count on ESAT6-CFP10 (EC) skin test, QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube test (QFT) and tuberculin skin test (TST) in a large prison and communities in Jiangsu Province among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Participants in communities were tested with the QFT and EC skin test and in prison were tested with the QFT, TST and EC skin test. A 4-knotted restricted cubic spline fitted for Logistic models was used to explore the cutoff point of CD4 count and the associations between changes in CD4 count and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection. Among 1,815 PLHIV included, 19.3% (350) were from prisons and 80.7% (1465) were identified through community screenings. M.tb infection rates were 12.2% and 8.3% through QFT and EC tests, respectively. Odd Ratios (ORs) for infection increased with CD4 counts, peaking at 618 cells/mm3 for EC, 392 cells/mm3 for QFT, then plateaued. However, the pattern differed for EC between prison and screening scenarios. In prison settings, M.tb infection increased with CD4 count from 0 to 350 cells/mm3, plateaued until 500 cells/mm3, and then persistently increased. Conversely, for community, ORs decreased until 300 cells/mm3, followed by an increase between 300 and 729 cells/mm3, after which they continued to rise persistently. Our cross-sectional study among PLHIV revealed a higher rate of M.tb infection in prison compared to the community. The relationship between CD4 count and infection became negative after a certain threshold. This pivotal point differed with detection methods, with QFT showing lower CD4 thresholds than EC.

BACKGROUND: Improving access to high-quality healthcare for individuals in correctional settings is critical to advancing health equity in the United States. Compared to the general population, criminal-legal involved individuals experience higher rates of chronic health conditions and poorer health outcomes. Implementation science frameworks and strategies offer useful tools to integrate health interventions into criminal-legal settings and to improve care. A review of implementation science in criminal-legal settings to date is necessary to advance future applications. This systematic review summarizes research that has harnessed implementation science to promote the uptake of effective health interventions in adult criminal-legal settings. METHODS: A systematic review of seven databases (Academic Search Premier, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Social Work Abstracts, ProQuest Criminal Justice Database, ProQuest Sociological Abstracts, MEDLINE/PubMed) was conducted. Eligible studies used an implementation science framework to assess implementation outcomes, determinants, and/or implementation strategies in adult criminal-legal settings. Qualitative synthesis was used to extract and summarize settings, study designs, sample characteristics, methods, and application of implementation science methods. Implementation strategies were further analyzed using the Pragmatic Implementation Reporting Tool. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies met inclusion criteria. Studies implemented interventions to address infectious diseases (n=9), substance use (n=6), mental health (n=5), co-occurring substance use and mental health (n=2), or other health conditions (n=2). Studies varied in their operationalization and description of guiding implementation frameworks/taxonomies. Sixteen studies reported implementation determinants and 12 studies measured implementation outcomes, with acceptability (n=5), feasibility (n=3), and reach (n=2) commonly assessed. Six studies tested implementation strategies. Systematic review results were used to generate recommendations for improving implementation success in criminal-legal contexts. CONCLUSIONS: The focus on implementation determinants in correctional health studies reflects the need to tailor implementation efforts to complex organizational and inter-agency contexts. Future studies should investigate policy factors that influence implementation success, design, and test implementation strategies tailored to determinants, and investigate a wider array of implementation outcomes relevant to criminal-legal settings, health interventions relevant to adult and juvenile populations, and health equity outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: A study protocol (CRD42020114111) was registered with Prospero.

Studies applying procedural justice to the prison context have largely been quantitative and sampled men. These studies have explored prisoner's procedural justice perceptions of the police and courts, but whether and to what extent their perceptions of the prison officer are associated with procedural justice is unknow. This study extends this research by qualitatively exploring how a sample of women incarcerated in an American prison perceive the role model prison officer and if their perceptions of the model officer are in line with the tenants of procedural justice theory. Findings reveal women's perceptions of the model prison officer as procedurally just and point to the value of correctional officers developing strategies that enhance the procedural justice aspects of their encounters with women in prison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of intoxicating substances both licit and illicit has been integral to expressions of colonial power and the control of colonised populations, including in Caribbean societies. Historically, licensing laws and carceral institutions were used to discipline workers, and the ongoing criminalisation of certain drugs illustrates the transhistorical legacies that continue to haunt former British colonies like Guyana. Focusing on prisons and prisoners to explore the histories and lingering legacies of colonial drug policies in the country, despite a much‐changed international context, this article documents experiences of, and approaches to, the management and prohibition of psychoactive substances. It reveals connections and continuities between substance use, enslavement, labour, and incarceration, and their relationship both to what we conceptualise as 'the colonial imaginary' and 'booty capitalism' of the modern age. The article will show how now and in the past, the colonisers partook in extractive booty capitalism (Weber, 1930), while in order to survive, the colonised partook in booty capitalism of the streets (Wacquant, 2003). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that individuals who commit crimes often exhibit various early maladaptive schemas (EMSs). EMSs are a broad and pervasive theme or pattern consisting of memories, emotions, cognitions, and bodily sensations concerning oneself and one's relationships with others. Furthermore, EMSs play a crucial role in the onset and maintenance of different types of offending behaviors, highlighting the need to implement schema therapy (ST) for perpetrators. Therefore, the present systematic review assesses the effectiveness of ST for individuals who committed crimes. Four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Scielo) were searched for studies examining the effectiveness of ST for individuals who committed crimes. Seventeen studies were identified, but only 15 met the criteria for inclusion. Results showed that ST can lead to beneficial effects in EMSs, schema modes, personality symptoms, and risk factors to commit crimes (e.g., cognitive distortions). However, the studies, besides being scarce, revealed some methodological limitations. ST is a promising therapy for individuals who committed crimes, despite the studies' methodological shortcomings, which prevent us from drawing more firm conclusions. Although promising, more research is needed to enhance our understanding of the impact of ST therapies in forensic settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Person-centered language has increasingly been adopted in criminal legal contexts. Recognizing the harmful effects of stigmatizing language, some states have mandated correctional staff to use person-centered language instead of "prisoner" or "inmate." However, little is known about the implementation of these mandates. To address this, the current study utilized interviews with 87 incarcerated people and 15 staff members in two prisons in a state that recently adopted a mandate. The findings suggest that the mandate has not substantially altered the terminology used or treatment people receive. This research builds understanding of how language affects the carceral experience, highlighting its limitations when unaccompanied by culture change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores the effects of social disablement caused by imprisonment, analyzing how this institution can exacerbate existing disability conditions or create new ones. Through a review of sociological literature, it highlights how the prison context can significantly contribute to an additional level of disablement. Considering the incapacitating effects of imprisonment, it emerges that the prison system acts as a “producer” of social disablement, intensifying marginalization processes and increasing societal disparities. This process is fueled by prison overcrowding, loss of employment and housing, suspension of social assistance, and the breakdown of family ties, creating a vicious cycle that generates and reinforces social disablement. The article underscores the need for greater attention and research in the field of disability within the prison environment, considering the dynamic interaction between individual conditions and contextual factors that influence it. Furthermore, it calls for a critical reflection on the social function and practices of prison institutions, proposing a more inclusive approach that reconsiders penal structures and policies to mitigate the disabling effects of detention.

The ‘prison school’ chronotope assumes the dual meaning of ‘school as prison’ and ‘school in prison’. The latter is investigated in this essay, focusing on the narrative strategies, forms, motifs and topoi from which the reality of the Italian penitentiary school is represented, above all through the point of view of writers who have been inside the prison environment in the role of teachers and educators. It also traces the history of this prison school writings particular subgenre, exploring its connections with the political, legal and cultural context, from the Unification of Italy to the present time, integrating literary criticism and the sociology of prison, special education and the pedagogy of deviance, the history of penitentiary law, educational and critical prison studies. Starting from De Amicis and Andreani, among others the works of Invernizzi, Valeriani, Malvezzi, Grimaldi, Albinati, Balzano, Tagliani, Verdone, Trovato, Parrella are studied, finally confirming the prevalence of short and hybrid forms that increasingly characterizes this literary genre.

The contribution resumes the conversation with work of Piero Bertolini – educator, pedagogist, director of the Institute for Observation and Preventive Custody “C. Beccaria” in Milan (1958-1968) – in relation to old and new deviances. In the footsteps of his experiences and reflections, we try to investigate the re-educational paths of “difficult” subjects, outside and inside prison, grappling with the fundamental pedagogical question (what is the desired and legitimate margin of educational intervention?), at one of the most critical junctures for the subject in formation (in the conflict that he is experiencing with the world, with the other and with himself?). Can there be an educational orientation of punishment in the penal experience? How to curb the risk that educating intent on punishing profoundly mutates its meaning, to the point of transfiguring itself into violence? How to interpret that obstinacy to seek and to trigger growth in the difficult situations? What directions of meaning indicated by Bertolini need to be taken up, known and actualized in the care of difficult subjects? The hypothesis is that there is a margin for educating in punishment: it is the responsibility of those who pedagogically interpret criminal events to seize and cultivate it.

This contribution deals with the relationship between psychiatry and prison, taking a pedagogical perspective, despite the complexity and interdisciplinary nature of the subject. We started from the reconstruction of the historical and cultural context by linking up with the teachings of Franco Basaglia (one hundred years after his birth), recovering his model of democratic psychiatry that is still relevant and to be reread in a contemporary key, also in the light of new emergencies, as shown by the data collected by the Antigone Association. In particular, a research project carried out at the “Vittorio Madia” Institute in Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, a former Judicial Psychiatric Hospital, was resumed, also with a view to valorising good educational and cultural practices carried out at other institutes in the national territory in line with what was promoted by the Sicilian reality. The gender perspective was therefore assumed for the development of further research on the topic.

The aim of this research is to analyse the socio-pedagogical actions carried out in Spanish prisons. To do so, we begin by analysing the main regulations covering educational policy in prisons, share as an essential axis the orientation of the custodial sentence towards the re-education and social reintegration of the prisoners, serving as a basis for justifying social intervention. Secondly, we analysed the prison population, where we observed a prevalence of men over women, a greater presence of crimes related to material offences and an average age of the population between 35 and 45 years old. Thirdly, based on the legislative and contextualized review, we analysed the programmes that are carried out in prison, the socio-educational potentials that may arise, through their principal objectives and the target groups they are aimed at, with the purpose of detecting good socio-educational practices. We underline the social and pedagogical function of these activities, as opposed to the therapeutic vision from which they emanate, highlighting the emancipatory potential of such an approach. Finally, we conclude with the professionalizing principles that can guide good practices in socio-educational intervention in prison, both in the Spanish context and in other countries with similar characteristics.

The institution of “probation,” a form of judicial probation aimed for adults, was rewied by the recent justice reform law (Cartabia Reform, Dec. 30, 2022), where, even in the rewied version, was confirmed its high civic and reeducational value. Through probation, offenders can realize the paths to change own critical reinterpretation of their behavior. This is an interpretation of punishment that preserves its retributive value, but the challenge that institutions and associations take as welcoming these people into the activities and projects of a (re)educational nature, gives this particular penal measure a restorative purpose too. Probation concerns first and foremost the offender, it also verifies the skills, resilience, and responsibility of those it accommodates. With these premises, in 2023 a collaboration between some professors of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and the Piacenza Volunteer Service Center led to the realization a training course and later a Research involving the Associations that take in the people on probation.

Abstract Background Tuberculosis (TB) is more than ten times higher in prisons compared to the general population, and HIV-infected persons are at increased risk of developing active TB and death. In the World Health Organization (WHO) African region, however, where the TB and HIV coinfections are highest, and prisons rarely factored in national disease surveillance, epidemiological data to inform TB control interventions in correctional facilities is limited. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of TB and HIV coinfections, as well as the factors associated with coinfections in our study setting. Methods This was a prospective cross-sectional study among 157 adult (≥ 18 years) prisoners presenting with symptoms of pulmonary TB at Shimo La Tewa Prison, Kenya, between January and June 2023. The study excluded those with a history of anti-TB drugs use or on treatment follow-up and collected demographic and clinical characteristics data using a questionnaire. Sputum samples were collected and processed immediately using Xpert® MTB/RIF assay or stored at 4 °C for three (3) days in case of delay. Results The overall prevalence of TB among inmates with presumptive pulmonary TB was 10.2%, 95% CI 6.37–16.91% (16/157), HIV 19.1%, 95% CI 13.73–25.97% (30/157). All the TB cases were positive for HIV (16/16, 100%), translating to TB/HIV coinfection of 10.2%, 95% CI 6.37–16.91% (16/157), and there was no rifampicin resistance. TB and HIV coinfection cases were found among underweight (100%, 16/16) prisoners. The independent factors associated with TB and HIV coinfections were education level (adjusted OR = 0.17, p = 0.007), smoking history (adjusted OR = 3.01, p = 0.009) and illegal drug use history (adjusted OR = 4.55, p = 0.044). Conclusion We report a high prevalence of pulmonary TB and HIV coinfections among adult inmates with presumptive pulmonary TB in Kenya, with education level, smoking status, and illegal drug use as the independent factors associated with the coinfection. The authority should take measures to protect HIV-positive prisoners from TB, focusing on education, nutrition, smoking, and illegal drug use.

Abstract Background Primary care plays a central role in most, if not all, health care systems including the care of vulnerable populations such as people who have been incarcerated. Studies linking incarceration records to health care data can improve understanding about health care access following release from prison. This review maps evidence from data-linkage studies about primary care use after prison release. Methods The framework by Arksey and O’Malley and guidance by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) were used in this review. This scoping review followed methods published in a study protocol. Searches were performed (January 2012-March 2023) in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science Core Collection using key-terms relating to two areas: (i) people who have been incarcerated and (ii) primary care. Using eligibility criteria, two authors independently screened publication titles and abstracts (step 1), and subsequently, screened full text publications (step 2). Discrepancies were resolved with a third author. Two authors independently charted data from included publications. Findings were mapped by methodology, key findings and gaps in research. Results The database searches generated 1,050 publications which were screened by title and abstract. Following this, publications were fully screened (n = 63 reviewer 1 and n = 87 reviewer 2), leading to the inclusion of 17 publications. Among the included studies, primary care use after prison release was variable. Early contact with primary care services after prison release (e.g. first month) was positively associated with an increased health service use, but an investigation found that a large proportion of individuals did not access primary care during the first month. The quality of care was found to be largely inadequate (measured continuity of care) for moderate multimorbidity. There were lower levels of colorectal and breast cancer screening among people released from custody. The review identified studies of enhanced primary care programmes for individuals following release from prison, with studies reporting a reduction in reincarceration and criminal justice system costs. Conclusions This review has suggested mixed evidence regarding primary care use after prison release and has highlighted challenges and areas of suboptimal care. Further research has been discussed in relation to the scoping review findings.

Background: Researchers have consistently found higher rates of mental illnesses, especially depression, in prison populations compared to the general population. Even though specific coping strategies have been implicated as a factor influencing the mental well-being of inmates, little is known about this interplay in resource-poor settings. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between coping strategies and depression among inmates of a prison in Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: This was a two-stage cross-sectional study involving 269 inmates of Calabar Prison, Nigeria. Participants were administered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Coping Strategies Inventory-Short Form, and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Respondents who scored ≥3 on the GHQ-12 together with 10% of low scorers proceeded to the second stage for an interview using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Results: The prevalence of depression among study participants was 30.5%. Emotion-focused disengagement coping strategies (odds ratio [OR]: 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.20) and a history of mental illness before imprisonment (OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.34–8.57) significantly predicted depression, whereas problem-focused engagement was protective (OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.98). Conclusion: Compared to the general population, depression is more common among prison inmates and is associated with using specific coping strategies. Coping strategies deserve increasing consideration when planning mental health intervention programs for this population.

Despite repeated reports of sexual victimization by transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people who are incarcerated, there remains little literature on the source of this sexual assault and the factors that heightened likelihood of experiencing assault while incarcerated. The current research (n = 439) is the first known study aimed at understanding whether individual and state-level factors influence sexual assault while incarcerated. Utilizing data from the 2015 United States Transgender Survey and Malkin and DeJong’s (2018) PREA compliance study, analyses were conducted to understand whether individual differences and the number of transgender-specific PREA policies were associated with the likelihood of experiencing sexual assault while incarcerated. Whether perpetrated by facility staff or another inmate, People of Color were significantly more likely to experience sexual assault compared to their White counterparts. A preliminary chi-square analysis also found significant differences in the prevalence of sexual assault based on how many transgender-specific PREA policies a state had implemented with states with more policies reporting a less sexual assault. Findings support the need to further understand the experiences and vulnerability of TGD people who are incarcerated in the United States, and potential policies and legislation that can combat sexual violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is more than ten times higher in prisons compared to the general population, and HIV-infected persons are at increased risk of developing active TB and death. In the World Health Organization (WHO) African region, however, where the TB and HIV coinfections are highest, and prisons rarely factored in national disease surveillance, epidemiological data to inform TB control interventions in correctional facilities is limited. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of TB and HIV coinfections, as well as the factors associated with coinfections in our study setting. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study among 157 adult (≥ 18 years) prisoners presenting with symptoms of pulmonary TB at Shimo La Tewa Prison, Kenya, between January and June 2023. The study excluded those with a history of anti-TB drugs use or on treatment follow-up and collected demographic and clinical characteristics data using a questionnaire. Sputum samples were collected and processed immediately using Xpert® MTB/RIF assay or stored at 4 °C for three (3) days in case of delay. Results: The overall prevalence of TB among inmates with presumptive pulmonary TB was 10.2%, 95% CI 6.37–16.91% (16/157), HIV 19.1%, 95% CI 13.73–25.97% (30/157). All the TB cases were positive for HIV (16/16, 100%), translating to TB/HIV coinfection of 10.2%, 95% CI 6.37–16.91% (16/157), and there was no rifampicin resistance. TB and HIV coinfection cases were found among underweight (100%, 16/16) prisoners. The independent factors associated with TB and HIV coinfections were education level (adjusted OR = 0.17, p = 0.007), smoking history (adjusted OR = 3.01, p = 0.009) and illegal drug use history (adjusted OR = 4.55, p = 0.044). Conclusion: We report a high prevalence of pulmonary TB and HIV coinfections among adult inmates with presumptive pulmonary TB in Kenya, with education level, smoking status, and illegal drug use as the independent factors associated with the coinfection. The authority should take measures to protect HIV-positive prisoners from TB, focusing on education, nutrition, smoking, and illegal drug use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People in correctional settings are a key population for HIV epidemic control. We sought to demonstrate scale-up of universal test and treat in correctional facilities in South Africa and Zambia through a virtual cross-sectional analysis. Methods: We used routine data on 2 dates: At the start of universal test and treat implementation (time 1, T1) and 1 year later (time 2, T2). We obtained correctional facility census lists for the selected dates and matched HIV testing and treatment data to generate virtual cross-sections of HIV care continuum indicators. Results: In the South African site, there were 4193 and 3868 people in the facility at times T1 and T2; 43% and 36% were matched with HIV testing or treatment data, respectively. At T1 and T2, respectively, 1803 (43%) and 1386 (36%) had known HIV status, 804 (19%) and 845 (21%) were known to be living with HIV, and 60% and 56% of those with known HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). In the Zambian site, there were 1467 and 1366 people in the facility at times T1 and T2; 58% and 92% were matched with HIV testing or treatment data, respectively. At T1 and T2, respectively, 857 (59%) and 1263 (92%) had known HIV status, 277 (19%) and 647 (47%) were known to be living with HIV, and 68% and 68% of those with known HIV were receiving ART. Conclusions: This virtual cross-sectional analysis identified gaps in HIV testing coverage, and ART initiation that was not clearly demonstrated by prior cohort-based studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis article presents a broad analysis of the Ottoman penal policies concerning the tolerant and clement punitive sanctions for mother offenders during the late Ottoman era. It scrutinizes the penal strategies of the late Ottoman government, particularly its endeavors in criminal justice reform, with a specific focus on the treatment of female offenders concerning their reproductive functions and maternal roles. The socio-cultural, religious, and biopolitical significance of mothers exerted a profound impact on the formulation of particular Ottoman penal policies. Hence, the main argument of this article underscores the widespread valuation of even criminal women and their babies within the Ottoman penal contexts. This valuation is exemplified through the application of penal measures, including the suspension of death sentences, exemption from strenuous penal labor as stipulated in the 1858 Penal Code, provision of supplementary rations and specific healthcare services, hospitalization of pregnant inmates, and child protection as outlined in the 1880 Prison Regulation. Although the implementation of the penal codes and prison regulations was frequently hampered by fiscal crises and political instability, these attempts marked the birth of penal biopolitics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary care plays a central role in most, if not all, health care systems including the care of vulnerable populations such as people who have been incarcerated. Studies linking incarceration records to health care data can improve understanding about health care access following release from prison. This review maps evidence from data-linkage studies about primary care use after prison release. Methods: The framework by Arksey and O'Malley and guidance by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) were used in this review. This scoping review followed methods published in a study protocol. Searches were performed (January 2012-March 2023) in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science Core Collection using key-terms relating to two areas: (i) people who have been incarcerated and (ii) primary care. Using eligibility criteria, two authors independently screened publication titles and abstracts (step 1), and subsequently, screened full text publications (step 2). Discrepancies were resolved with a third author. Two authors independently charted data from included publications. Findings were mapped by methodology, key findings and gaps in research. Results: The database searches generated 1,050 publications which were screened by title and abstract. Following this, publications were fully screened (n = 63 reviewer 1 and n = 87 reviewer 2), leading to the inclusion of 17 publications. Among the included studies, primary care use after prison release was variable. Early contact with primary care services after prison release (e.g. first month) was positively associated with an increased health service use, but an investigation found that a large proportion of individuals did not access primary care during the first month. The quality of care was found to be largely inadequate (measured continuity of care) for moderate multimorbidity. There were lower levels of colorectal and breast cancer screening among people released from custody. The review identified studies of enhanced primary care programmes for individuals following release from prison, with studies reporting a reduction in reincarceration and criminal justice system costs. Conclusions: This review has suggested mixed evidence regarding primary care use after prison release and has highlighted challenges and areas of suboptimal care. Further research has been discussed in relation to the scoping review findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aims to explore the impact of imprisonment of one of the parents on children, by analyzing the psychological, economic, and social effects they face, in addition to evaluating the role of family and community support in mitigating these effects. The importance of the research lies in understanding how imprisonment affects children's lives, and highlighting the need for effective strategies to support them and provide the necessary assistance to improve their conditions. The problem of the study is the major challenges that children face as a result of the imprisonment of one of the parents, which range from deep psychological effects, such as anxiety and depression, to the negative impact on the economic situation of the family and the social relationships of children. It is necessary to address these problems by providing appropriate support and the necessary assistance to improve the quality of life of affected children. The study reached a set of conclusions and recommendations aimed at improving the conditions of children affected by the imprisonment of one of the parents. The conclusions include the importance of providing psychological and educational support, the need to enhance financial assistance, and the importance of community awareness to reduce social stigma. The main recommendations include developing psychological support programs, improving access to educational resources, and enhancing cooperation between local institutions to provide comprehensive support for children. In general, the study highlights the need for concerted efforts to improve the lives of children affected by the imprisonment of a parent, through effective family and community support, which contributes to enhancing their ability to adapt and deal with the challenges they face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During COVID and lockdown, many prisoners have not only been affected by infection transmission in crowded and ill-equipped institutions, they have also been separated from a range of supports, including loss of family and professional supports and support for prisoners with addiction and/or mental health problems has been disrupted. This paper reports on evidence of how peer-based recovery organizations have attempted to mitigate these adverse effects, based on a case study of one prison in the North-West of England, using a range of routine reporting data and original research data. The paper shows how prison-based peer recovery support has not only continued through lockdown but grown both in the prison and in continuing care on release. The key conclusion is that Lived Experience Recovery Organizations (LEROs) have a vital role to play in offering continuing care to prison populations both to support early recovery and to sustain change around release back into the community, in COVID but also more generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex, relationships, and substance use often go hand in hand. Despite this, the impact of sex and relationships on recovery are often overlooked in the field of substance use disorder treatment (SUDT). This study aims to explore sex, relationships, and relapse risk for people in recovery and as an overlooked area of importance in SUDT. This qualitative study uses semi-structured interviews with people currently and/or formerly in prison, together with ethnographic field data from four high security prisons in Norway, collected between July 2021–April 2022. Common sources of anguish around sex after release and recovery included both forming new and maintaining long-term relationships with partners at a different stage in their recovery, dating and initiating sexual relationships with new partners, concerns about sexual performance and fears around attaining sexual pleasure without chemical enhancements. The implications that sex, dating and intimate relationships may have for individual relapse to substance use, can and should play a greater role in both SUD treatment and preparation for release from prison. These problems are exacerbated in carceral settings and should be considered when planning re-entry to the community and in the development of individual relapse prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative evidence that poverty and economic inequality impact incarceration are presented. Three samples are examined, a panel of U.S. states and cross-sections of U.S. state and county prisons. In all three, incarceration is shown to rise as local poverty and/or inequality increase. Estimated impacts are found much stronger within relatively low-incarceration areas. Geographically, the relationship between inequality and incarceration is found to be statistically significant across the nation, but the relationship between poverty and incarceration appears more regional. However, the impact of poverty is shown to have increased during the early 21st century, while the opposite is true for inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual harm behaviour has recently gained scholarly attention. Dual harm centres on a subset of people who display violent and self-harming behaviour. This study re-examines the differential profile characteristics identified in Europe for those who dual harm, using international data featuring a population study of a state prison system in the south-eastern United States. Three years of data produced 43,489 institutional events, from a custodial population of 22,918. Logistic regression analysis indicates that those who dual harm in custody had an overall rate of infraction 40–70% higher than those who engage solely in violence or self-harm, and five times higher than those without physical harm infractions. Dual harm was associated with higher rates of non-harm incidents (e.g. property damage and disorder), younger age, lower educational achievements on admission and less educational development during imprisonment, greater self-reported mental health need although not substance abuse, and fewer intimate relationships. Dual harm was related to more lethal acts of self-harm such as ligature or ingestion. This is the first study that applies the dual harm profile to prison data within the US. This study supports dual harm as a highly relevant construct within international custodial settings and offers policy implications for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on gender disparities in defiance prison -infractions—an understudied and highly discretionary type of rule violation—which have important implications for individuals' prison experiences and outcomes. Using administrative data on a release population in a large western state (N = 23,818), we employed multilevel modeling techniques to test whether (1) women were more likely than men to receive defiance infractions; (2) whether women received a greater number of defiance infractions than men, and (3) whether the gender differences observed for defiance were unique from other types of infractions (e.g. any infraction, nonviolent, violent) net of individual- and prison unit-level controls. Results confirmed that defiance infractions are uniquely gendered, which subjects incarcerated women to harsh consequences for far less serious behavior than their male counterparts. Our work fills key gaps in the literature and contributes to recent policy reform efforts aimed at prison disciplinary reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Training men and women who live in prison to assist corrections staff with the care of growing numbers of older, sicker, cognitively impaired, and dying people in prison is an innovative and viable option to help meet pressing care demands. The purpose of this paper is to report findings from the usability testing of the fully developed Just Care electronic learning program for training carefully vetted people living in prison to assist staff with geriatric and end-of-life care. Research ethics approvals and informed consent were obtained. There were two rounds of usability testing conducted via videoconference. Interdisciplinary staff (i.e., corrections specialists, supervisors, nurses, and chaplains) and people living in prison were recruited from one men's and one women's prison. Fifteen participants completed the testing in each round. Results include participant demographics, concerns and areas for improvement by severity level of programming, and mean scores for both participant groups on the System Usability Scale. Overall, both the incarcerated and staff participants found the program easy to navigate and the interactive content was useful, engaging, and relevant to caring for aging and dying people who are incarcerated. Findings will be used to refine Just Care before usability testing with a larger sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Occupational therapists work with forensic mental health patients in solitary confinement to counter impacts of mental illness and occupational deprivation, to promote well‐being and support transition to less restricted environments. There is little literature describing occupational therapy in this context. This study aimed to explore and describe the work, context and professional reasoning of occupational therapists working in solitary confinement settings within a large forensic mental health service in Victoria, Australia. Methods: A qualitative design used semi‐structured interviews with 11 occupational therapists and reflexive thematic analysis. Findings: Three central organising themes, it's all about risk, the work we do and why we do what we do, provided rich description of the context and work of occupational therapists in solitary confinement settings, including approaches used to engage patients in occupation and how the Model of Human Occupation and recovery principles informed their professional reasoning. Despite the setting restrictions, participants engaged in core elements of the occupational therapy practice process and described creative work that offered patients choice and meaningful occupation. They described occupational enrichment to address occupational deprivation and create opportunities for change within the highly restrictive and risk‐focussed environment of solitary confinement. Assessment was mainly unstructured, and the need for better evaluation of therapy outcomes acknowledged. Goal setting often focussed on immediate needs. Working in a risk‐focussed environment influenced participants' professional reasoning and work with patients, and while they advocated for occupational opportunities for patients, frustration was experienced in response to limits to occupational therapy involvement in risk assessment. Conclusion: The findings address a gap in the literature about the work of occupational therapists in forensic solitary confinement. Though participants' reasoning was informed by occupational and recovery principles, and they described working in occupation‐based ways, they did not always articulate explicit connections between theory and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on women who committed crimes has not followed the same developments of males who committed crimes. The study of psychopathy and criminal lifestyle in female populations is one of the main gaps. This study aimed to better understand the construct of psychopathy among women who committed crimes, analyzing its relationship with criminal lifestyle. Sixty-three incarcerated women convicted of different crimes participated in this study. Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) and Lifestyle Criminality Screening Form-Revised (LSCF-R) were filled in. Females showed low scores on the total psychopathy score. The interpersonal and lifestyle facets were the highest scored, while the antisocial was the lowest scored. Positive correlations between criminal lifestyle and total psychopathy and lifestyle and antisocial facets were found. After controlling for age and criminal variables, total psychopathy and the lifestyle facet emerge as variables associated with a criminal lifestyle. These results are particularly relevant for the design of prevention and intervention policies in female offenses and for risk assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A person-centered approach to advance care planning is recognized as a fundamental need, yet its routine implementation remains a challenge across disparate settings, such as prisons. The purpose of this study was to gain the perspectives of people who are incarcerated about advance care planning. Four focus groups were conducted with people living in 1 men's and 1 women's state prison (n = 26). Handwritten field notes were taken, transcribed, deidentified, and verified before the completion of independent thematic analysis by 2 experienced qualitative researchers. Key themes regarding advance care planning were identified: components of advance care planning, initiation and continuation of advance care planning, barriers to implementing advance care planning, and facilitators to implementing advance care planning. Participants noted several key components related to the name, structure, and content of advance care planning programs. Insights about who should initiate the conversation, when to continue the conversation, and how to deliver education about advance care planning were obtained. Findings contribute to identifying best practices for infusing advance care planning into prisons. Best practices will inform the development of a toolkit of contextually relevant, person-centered approaches to advance care planning that are tailored to meet the unique needs of people who are incarcerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Forensische Psychiatrie, Psychologie, Kriminologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article aims to frame the state violence and socio-ecological injustice perpetrated against prisoners through the lens of both critical environmental justice studies and the concept of the Wasteocene. We seek to uncover the socio-ecological relationships that have historically shaped the enforcement of the prison and waste systems through a focus on the Italian context during the Covid-19 pandemic. We explore the case of a jail in Campania, a region in the South of Italy infamous for its troubled waste management that has caused uncountable and entangled health, social, and economic harms. The jail is adjacent to an area with a long history of waste disposal practices and numerous legal conflicts and corruption scandals: all characteristics that make this case emblematic of the broader problem of carceral environmental injustice. We argue that carceral institutions are generative sites for examining the dynamics of violence, expendability, and wasting relationships that are built into their structures and core functions We also maintain that the Covid-19 pandemic has both uncovered and exacerbated such dynamics and therefore stands as a framing device that further corroborates our argument. We conclude with lessons and observations for scholars studying environmental concerns and carceral systems through a multidisciplinary lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The post-release period is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have identified deficits in pre-release planning for mentally ill people in prison, particularly in remand settings. Objectives: We aimed to determine the proportion of mentally ill people in Ireland's main remand prison who were referred for mental health follow up in community and prison settings, who achieved face to face contact with the receiving service. Method: This retrospective observational cohort study was based in Ireland's main male remand prison, Cloverhill. Participants included all those individuals on the caseload of the prison inreach mental health team who were referred for mental health follow up in community and prison settings at the time of discharge, prison transfer or release from custody over a three-year period, 2015 - 2017. Successful transfer of care (TOC) was defined as face-to-face contact with the receiving service, confirmed by written correspondence or by follow up telephone call. Clinical, demographic and offence related variables were recorded for all participants. Results: There were 911 discharges from the prison inreach mental health team within the three-year study period. Of these, 121 were admitted to hospital, 166 were transferred to other prison inreach mental health services and 237 were discharged to community based mental health follow up in psychiatric outpatient or primary care settings. One third (304/911) had an ICD-10 diagnosis of schizophreniform or bipolar disorder (F20--31) and 37.5% (161/911) were homeless. Over 90% (152/166) of those referred to mental health teams in other prisons achieved successful TOC, with a median of six days to first faceto face assessment. Overall, 59% (140/237) of those referred to community psychiatric outpatient or primary care services achieved TOC following referral on release from custody, with a median of nine days from release to assessment. Clinical and demographic variables did not differ between those achieving and not achieving successful TOC, other than having had input from the PICLS Housing Support Service. Conclusion: Successful transfer of care can be achieved in remand settings using a systematic approach with an emphasis on early and sustained interagency liaison and clear mapping of patient pathways. For incarcerated individuals experiencing homelessness and mental health disorders, provision of a housing support service was associated with increased likelihood of successful transfer of care to community mental health supports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2016, an estimated 107,400 veterans were incarcerated in the U.S. (Maruschak et al., 2021), comprising part of the population known as "justice-involved veterans," veterans involved in the criminal justice system. The current study explores the influence military training had on the way justice-involved veterans "do time" in prison. In sharp contrast to the misconduct literature, which utilizes quantitative data and links variables statistically to some measurement of prison misconduct, the current study is one of the first to qualitatively explore how incarcerated veterans connect their military experiences to their adjustment to prison life by giving voice to the veterans themselves. Forty-three currently incarcerated veterans in a Midwestern state were interviewed. They described how they acclimatized to the correctional environment utilizing the discipline and adherence to structure learned during their military service. If justice-involved veterans adapt to the prison environment by relying on their military training, then it may be possible to help them further utilize that training to succeed in rehabilitation and reentry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore how sports contribute to the social reintegration of (formerly) incarcerated individuals. The focus lays on the perspectives of participants in sports activities in a Belgian prison. The research utilized participatory observations and semi-structured interviews spanning eighteen months. The data were processed through a thematic analysis by using the Capability Approach as a theoretical lens. The findings reveal how participants attribute meaning and crucial factors to sports, viewing it as essential for fostering aspirations, hope, and establishing connections with other aspects of life. The ‘Going for Goals’ sports programme, therefore, plays a key role in shaping a realistic and positive outlook on their future and life after detention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIncarcerated women are confined in institutions designed to punish. These sites often ignore the complex mental and physical health needs of people who are incarcerated. Despite the World Health Organization stressing the need for access to reproductive healthcare in carceral institutions, stigma surrounding abortion care and health inequalities create contextually specific issues for incarcerated people seeking to access these services. There is also a dearth of research conducted directly with incarcerated women, trans men and non-binary people to examine their experiences of abortion. A systematic review of international peer-reviewed and grey literature was completed to summarise existing evidence from research conducted on the experiences of needing abortion care whilst incarcerated. Various experiences were identified including: conditions of confinement shaping abortion decisions; bureaucratic obstacles to accessing abortion services; incarcerated women, carceral staff and carceral healthcare staff’s lack of understanding of abortion rights and procedures; and a scarcity of support and empathy, including experiences of stigmatisation and lack of confidentiality. There exists a significant gap in research examining the experiences of incarcerated people who may need an abortion, emphasising the need for international collaboration and advocacy to address systemic issues that extend beyond local contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prisons often house individuals who have been socially marginalized. Their existence is rooted in societal expectations channeled through legal systems, serving to isolate and ostracize those who have transgressed the law. Despite their longstanding presence, prisons have shown limited efficacy in addressing crime while often exacerbating harm to inmates. While some argue for the necessity of isolating dangerous individuals from society, debates persist regarding who should be incarcerated and for how long. This study aimed to investigate public attitudes towards the comfort and well-being of prisoners, including access to mental health therapy and support programs. A questionnaire was utilized to collect data from a sample size of 200 participants. Findings suggest ambiguity regarding whether prisoners deserve comfort, yet there is consensus on the importance of providing mental health support. The provision of comfort and luxury is perceived as exacerbating inequality, indicating recognition of the need for prisoner well-being and mental health resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prison farms are common programs within correctional services; however, knowledge is limited regarding the agricultural prison industry. As a starting point for further study and policy development, we conducted a scoping review to map knowledge on the industry. The results show many publications focused on the agricultural prison industry were outdated, United States-based, and/or non-original research. Findings reveal agricultural positions tend to be filled by prisoners with pre-existing work skills and relatively low support needs and agricultural positions are not necessarily driven by market demands. Findings also show prisoners experience a lack of workplace protections, such as workers’ compensation, the ability to unionize, and adequate workplace safety and hazardous materials training. Yet, a purported benefit of agricultural programs was improved food security for prisoners. Other finds show there is a predominant focus on self-sufficiency and cost-savings for prisons in the face of inadequate or worsening budgets but limited available data quantifies relationship, prison farms shift from being rehabilitative-focused to profit-driven over a certain amount of acres. We conclude by identifying gaps in the literature on the agricultural prison industry and listing areas of future inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased suicide rates in prison are a serious concern. Early identification of inmates at risk is a component of effective suicide prevention. The present study examined two suicide screening instruments in a sample of men in the Berlin, Germany, prison system (n = 289). The Screening for Initial Risk Assessment (SIRAS) identified significantly more high-risk inmates than the Vienna Instrument for Suicidality in Correctional Institutions (VISCI) (66 vs. 24). The results further show that the agreement in the classification was evident only in inmates with suicidal ideation, but was otherwise quite low. This can be explained by the fact that the instruments differ in terms of the risk factors taken into account. Finally, it was found that inmates classified as high risk received more monitoring and psychiatric or psychological support, which supports the construct validity of the instruments. As there were no deaths by suicide in the sample, no statistical information on the predictive validity of the instruments could be provided. Although research in this area is challenging, methodologically sound studies are needed to inform practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The humanization of society as a voluminous, complex process is revealed through the humanization of individual institutions. In the modern civilized world, one of the important indicators of the progressiveness of society is measured through the state of its penitentiary system. According to Nelson Mandela's famous thesis, society should be judged not on the basis of how it treats representatives of high society, but by what attitude it has towards those who are at the lowest level. The institution of prison, as a fundamental element of the penitentiary system, implements the functions of correction and punishment and is one of the controversial ones, since the phenomenon of punishment itself actualizes various ethical discourses. Within the framework of the institution of prison, such concepts as «justice», «freedom», «value», etc. acquire special sensitivity. Being a kind of indicator of the moral state of society, the institution of prison highlights the state of civil society, its economic and political potential. This article examines the issues of the emergence and development of the penitentiary system with a focus on the Kazakh penitentiary system. Attention is focused on the moral principles of punishment. The research focuses on the criteria of retribution and the ultimate goals of punishment. By systematizing and distinguishing different approaches to punishment, the potential of alternative practices to prison punishment is understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women in prison who are pregnant or recently had a baby are a highly vulnerable population due to complex histories, increased risks of poorer outcomes, and mother-infant separation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these women faced additional challenges due to infection risks and enforced social isolation. In England in March 2020, the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty's Prisons and Probation Service prioritised the early release of pregnant women and mothers living with their babies in Mother and Baby units (referred to as compassionate release on ROTL – Release On Temporary Licence). Birth Companions, a UK-based charity that works with pregnant and post-natal women in prison, were commissioned to extend its reach to help coordinate care and post-release support to women released under ROTL, and those released as 'business as usual' in all English women's prisons during the pandemic. Here we report insights from an evaluation of this work. Interviews were undertaken with nineteen participants (six women, eight Birth Companions, and five health/social care professionals) and thematic analysis was undertaken. Two themes and associated sub-themes emerged. 'Facilitating support' outlines how women benefitted from the support via engendering trust, promoting coping strategies, and facilitating positive change. 'Challenges in support provision' describes key barriers that Birth Companions faced in accessing and supporting women due to communication barriers and difficulties in coordinating wider support. This study highlights a unique, service model that enabled woman-centred care, despite limitations. Prisons need to revisit existing policies and guidelines to ensure that equitable care is provided during future crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We estimated the prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) in the Norwegian, Danish and Swedish prison populations and compared the prevalence of SUDs in the national prison populations with country‐specific general population prevalence rates. Design: A multi‐national cohort study using data from the National Prison Registries linked to the National Patient Registries in Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Setting and participants: We used data from the PriSUD‐Nordic study, including national prison populations aged 19 years and older in Norway (2010–19), Denmark (2010–18) and Sweden (2010–13). A total of 119 507 Individuals (108 971 men and 10 536 women) contributing to 191 549 incarcerations were included in the study (Norway: 45432 men; 5429 women, Denmark: 42 162 men; 3370 women, Sweden: 21 377 men; 1737 women). Measurement: We calculated a study prevalence and prevalence at entry to prison for all types of SUDs before imprisonment each consecutive year of observation in each prison population. We also extracted country‐specific 1‐year prevalence rates from the Global Burden of Diseases database to calculate comparative national prevalence ratios. Findings The study prevalence of any SUD was approximately 40% [Norway: 44.0%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 43.6–44.5%; Denmark: 39.9%, CI = 39.5–40.4%; Sweden: 39.1%, CI = 38.4–39.7%] in all three countries. Women had a significantly higher study prevalence of any SUD compared with men (Norway: 55.8 versus 42.6%, P < 0.001; Denmark 43.1 versus 39.7%, P = 0.004; Sweden: 51.7 versus 38.0%, P < 0.001). Prevalence estimates were higher for SUDs among people in prison than in the general population. We observed an increasing proportion of people with SUDs entering prison in Norway (P = 0.003), while the proportion was more stable in Denmark and Sweden. Conclusions: Substance use disorders (SUDs) appear to be highly prevalent among the Scandinavian prison populations compared with the general population, especially among women. In Norway, there was a relative increase in SUDs from 2010 to 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the epidemiological and genomic characteristics, along with the transmission dynamics, of SARS-CoV-2 within prison units I and II in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Conducted between May and October 2022, it reveals how the virus spreads in the confined settings of prisons, emphasizing the roles of overcrowded cells, frequent transfers, and limited healthcare access. The research involved 1927 participants (83.93% of the total prison population) and utilized nasopharyngeal swabs and RT-qPCR testing for detection. Contact tracing monitored exposure within cells. Out of 2108 samples, 66 positive cases were identified (3.13%), mostly asymptomatic (77.27%), with the majority aged 21–29 and varying vaccination statuses. Next-generation sequencing generated 28 whole genome sequences, identifying the Omicron variant (subtypes BA.2 and BA.5) with 99% average coverage. Additionally, the study seeks to determine the relationship between immunization levels and the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 cases within this enclosed population. The findings underscore the necessity of comprehensive control strategies in prisons, including rigorous screening, isolation protocols, vaccination, epidemiological monitoring, and genomic surveillance to mitigate disease transmission and protect both the incarcerated population and the broader community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]