Spotlight on Jails: COVID-19 Mitigation Policies Needed Now

Wurcel, Alysse G.; Dauria, Emily; Zaller, Nicholas; Nijhawan, Ank E.; Beckwith, Curt G.; Nowotny, Kathryn M.; Brinkley‐Rubinstein, Lauren

doi:10.1093/cid/ciaa346

Cited by 43 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…This is especially concerning because jails have a high proportion of people with underlying health conditions, making them more susceptible to severe COVID-19 infection. 67 It is probable that coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will be transmitted to people experiencing homelessness, which will become a major problem in particular in North America. If cities impose a lockdown to prevent COVID-19 transmission, there are few emergency preparedness plans to transport and provide shelter for the large number of people experiencing homelessness.…”

Section: Pandemia and Social Psychiatrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Health Effects of COVID-19 Pandemia: A Review of Clinical and Psychological Traits

Kontoangelos

Economou

Papageorgiou

2020

Psychiatry Investig

318

207

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Objective As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic sweeps across the world, it is causing widespread concern, fear and stress, all of which are natural and normal reactions to the changing and uncertain situation that everyone finds themselves in.Methods In this general review, we examined the literature about the psychological effects of COVID-19 pandemia. In total 65 papers were reviewed using the Medline computer database. Only publications in English were selected.Results Children are likely to be experiencing worry, anxiety and fear and older people are also those with underlying health conditions, having been identified as more vulnerable to COVID-19, can be extremely frightening and very fear-inducing. China and several other countries took strict isolation measures. Medical staff and affiliated healthcare workers (staff) are under both physical and psychological pressure.Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic is exceptional. Its effect will likely be imprinted on each individual involved. Extensive stressors will emerge or become worsened. Many medical staff workers will be harmfully psychologically affected.

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Section: Pandemia and Social Psychiatrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Health Effects of COVID-19 Pandemia: A Review of Clinical and Psychological Traits

Kontoangelos

Economou

Papageorgiou

2020

Psychiatry Investig

318

207

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“…For people who remain incarcerated, management strategies that promote harm reduction must be applied. Access to the following must be universally available to both staff and incarcerated people free of charge: (Wurcel et al, 2020). Finally, staff should be provided with paid sick time to be mandated if exposed to or sick with COVID-19.…”

Section: Policy and Management Strategy Recommendations To Promote Hementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Incarcerated people are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection (World Health Organization, 2020) due to their disproportionately high physical and behavioral health needs, limited access to quality health care, and environmental design, which promotes rapid disease transmission (Hammett et al, 1998). These factors are also a recipe for disastrous community health consequences as staff travel between facilities and communities potentially spreading COVID-19 (Wurcel et al, 2020).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Distancing and Incarceration: Policy and Management Strategies to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission and Promote Health Equity Through Decarceration

Henry

2020

Health Educ Behav

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Incarcerated people are at disproportionately high risk of contracting COVID-19. Prisons are epicenters for COVID-19 transmission, including to the community. High rates of preexisting health conditions, limited access to quality health care, and inability to social distance make it impossible to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in prisons. Due to a history of compounded social determinants, incarcerated populations are disproportionately composed of people of color and people with stigmatized behavioral health disorders. Rapid decarceration is needed to promote health equity. Historical mass decarceration events demonstrate feasibility to rapidly release large groups of people while maintaining public safety. Iran and Ireland have released substantial portions of their prison populations by transitioning people to home confinement. In the United States and Uganda, some jurisdictions have reduced new incarcerations through policies that decrease arrests. These policies must be globally expanded to contain the epidemic, and its potential health consequences, while addressing health equity.

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“…Correctional and paroling authorities should also examine how to alter their decisionmaking practices for those who have violated the conditions of their release by examining whether those incarcerated for violations of the conditions of their release can be safely rereleased into their communities. Additionally, community corrections officers should carefully consider whether breaches of conditions warrant a revocation to custody (Wurcel et al, 2020).…”

Section: Develop a Multi-pronged Approach To Decarcerationmentioning

confidence: 99%

British Columbia Provincial Corrections’ Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Correctional Policy and Practice

Murdoch

2020

Victims & Offenders

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Health and justice officials across North America have described correctional institutions as petri dishes for the transmission of COVID-19. Individuals in custody commonly have health profiles that are more compromised than those of the general population. Institutional infrastructure issues and custody counts that create barriers to protocols, including physical distancing measures, that health authorities recommend to limit the spread of the virus compound these profiles. Many correctional authorities have struggled to implement strategies to mitigate infection rates among custodial populations. This paper examines the strategies employed by one provincial correctional authority in Canada that has to date successfully prevented the spread of COVID-19 in custody centers by adopting a health-informed approach to the crisis rather than a traditional justice-informed response. The findings highlight practices that can inform the responses of other jurisdictions as the pandemic continues and identify areas of future research on the effects of COVID-19 on incarcerated persons, correctional and health-care staff, and communities.

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Spotlight on Jails: COVID-19 Mitigation Policies Needed Now

Cited by 43 publications

References 8 publications

Mental Health Effects of COVID-19 Pandemia: A Review of Clinical and Psychological Traits

Mental Health Effects of COVID-19 Pandemia: A Review of Clinical and Psychological Traits

Social Distancing and Incarceration: Policy and Management Strategies to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission and Promote Health Equity Through Decarceration

British Columbia Provincial Corrections’ Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Correctional Policy and Practice

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