Promoting Health Equity and Criminal Justice Reform: The Louisiana Experience

Wennerstrom, Ashley; Reilly, Bruce; Sugarman, Meredith; Henderson, Norris; Niyogi, Anjali

doi:10.2105/ajph.2019.305446

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…The group operates under the principles of community‐participatory partnered research including shared power and co‐leadership between community and academic institutions (Jones & Wells, 2007). Over half of the P2P advisory board members are formerly incarcerated, and many have parlayed their local knowledge and experience to become leaders in advancing national reforms to the criminal legal system (Wennerstrom et al., 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘You have to be almost dead before they ever really work on you in prison’: A qualitative study of formerly incarcerated women’s health care experiences during incarceration in Louisiana, U.S.

Wennerstrom

Sugarman

Martin³

et al. 2021

Health Social Care Comm

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Globally, the rate of incarceration among women is rising, and in the U.S., women's incarceration has grown at twice the rate for men over the last four decades. Louisiana has the second highest rate of incarceration in the U.S. There is evidence that men in Louisiana prisons do not receive adequate healthcare, but little is known about their women counterparts. We aimed to document formerly incarcerated women's experiences with receiving healthcare during incarceration in Louisiana to inform policy and practice change. In partnership with two community-based organisations in New Orleans, Louisiana, between August 2016 and April 2018, we conducted semi-structured 1-hr interviews with 22 formerly incarcerated women who had been incarcerated in the state for at least one consecutive year. A convenience sample of participants was recruited through community-based organisations' re-entry and health programmes. Our interview guide included questions about experiences with accessing care, reproductive health needs, interactions with providers and preventive care during incarceration. We used applied thematic analysis techniques to interpret data. Over 90% of interviewees identified as Black. Their mean age was 50.7. The average length of incarceration was 8.4 years. Participants reported multiple barriers to accessing care including punishment for seeking care, long wait times, costs, lack of respect from providers and health concerns being dismissed. Participants reported limited mental health, preventive and dental services; an insufficient number of providers; and poor health outcomes as a result of delayed care. Overall, women did not have access to adequate, timely care during incarceration. Findings suggest a need for policy changes related to the provision of carceral healthcare services and external oversight of prison conditions and healthcare delivery. Further research into women's experiences of ageing during incarceration and tailored transitional health models is needed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘You have to be almost dead before they ever really work on you in prison’: A qualitative study of formerly incarcerated women’s health care experiences during incarceration in Louisiana, U.S.

Wennerstrom

Sugarman

Martin³

et al. 2021

Health Social Care Comm

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…6 Incarcerated persons have higher rates of chronic diseases including asthma, obesity and diabetes, infectious diseases, and mental illness compared with the general population. [6][7][8][9] Certain chronic underlying diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and chronic pulmonary disease, increase the risk of more severe disease. 10 Persons with more severe disease may have higher viral loads and be more infectious for longer periods.…”

Section: Learning Outcomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Compared with White NJ residents, the incarceration rate is approximately 9 times higher among Blacks, 2.8 times higher among Hispanics, and 3.3 times higher among American Indian/Alaska Natives 6 . Incarcerated persons have higher rates of chronic diseases including asthma, obesity and diabetes, infectious diseases, and mental illness compared with the general population 6–9 . Certain chronic underlying diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and chronic pulmonary disease, increase the risk of more severe disease 10 .…”

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confidence: 99%

Incidence and Predictors of COVID-19 Infection in Prison Healthcare Workers

Caruth

Black

Legard

et al. 2023

J Occup Environ Med

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Objective The aim of the study is to assess the predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among correctional healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review to describe the demographic and workplace characteristics of New Jersey correctional HCWs between March 15, 2020, and August 31, 2020, using univariate and multivariable analysis. Results Among 822 HCWs, patient-facing staff had the highest incidence of infection (7.2%). Associated risk factors include being Black and working in a maximum-security prison. There were few statistically significant findings due to small total numbers (n = 47) that tested positive. Conclusions Correctional HCWs’ challenging work environment creates unique risk factors for infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Administrative measures taken by the department of corrections may have a significant role in curbing the spread of infection. The findings can help focus preventive measures for reducing the spread of COVID-19 in this unique population.

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A Community-Based Youth Diversion Program as an Alternative to Incarceration, Illinois, 2017–2019

et al. 2022

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The US justice system unfairly targets youths of color; systemic reform plus interventions to keep youths out of the justice system are needed. The Juvenile Justice Collaborative provided care coordination and wraparound services to adolescents in a diversion program from 2017 to 2019 in Cook County, Illinois. Youths showed increased strengths and decreased needs by program’s end. Youths who successfully completed the program showed reduced recidivism compared with nonprogram youths. Community-based alternatives to incarceration may decrease life disruption, promote positive health and social outcomes, and reduce further justice involvement. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print July 7, 2022:e1–e4. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306946 )

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Promoting Health Equity and Criminal Justice Reform: The Louisiana Experience

Cited by 3 publications

References 1 publication

‘You have to be almost dead before they ever really work on you in prison’: A qualitative study of formerly incarcerated women’s health care experiences during incarceration in Louisiana, U.S.

‘You have to be almost dead before they ever really work on you in prison’: A qualitative study of formerly incarcerated women’s health care experiences during incarceration in Louisiana, U.S.

Incidence and Predictors of COVID-19 Infection in Prison Healthcare Workers

A Community-Based Youth Diversion Program as an Alternative to Incarceration, Illinois, 2017–2019

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