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Zielinski MJ, Jahangir T, Praseuth A, Wilson S, McLaughlan CL. Mental Health, Drug Use, and Programming: Applying a Needs Assessment Framework in Arkansas' Largest Jail. JOURNAL OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE 2024. [PMID: 38842733 DOI: 10.1089/jchc.23.12.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Jail programming is rarely informed by site-specific health needs, diagnostic-specific screening tools that are validated, or the input of incarcerated individuals. Using the community needs assessment (CNA) framework, we aimed to fill these gaps among people incarcerated in the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility (PCRDF), Arkansas' largest jail. Participants were 179 adults at the PCRDF who completed surveys and open-ended questions focused on (a) their mental and behavioral health and (b) programming needs at the facility. Using a concurrent transformative mixed-methods design, we descriptively analyzed surveys and conducted content analysis of the open-ended questions. Over half of participants reported clinically significant anxiety (62.6%), post-traumatic stress disorder (53.1%), and/or depression (50.3%) symptoms; positive substance use disorder screening was especially common (91.7%). Nearly all (97%) individuals queried desired more programming, with the most desired being mental health and substance use programs. Other desired programs included physical health, education, community reintegration, family support, recreation, nutrition, religious/spiritual services, and meditation. Our CNA ensured the input of those directly impacted during program-focused decision making and identified strategies to effectively implement and sustain jail-based programs. Such assessments can be a potential mechanism for addressing the burden of mental and behavioral health problems in jail populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Zielinski
- Psychiatric Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Tasfia Jahangir
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Amanda Praseuth
- Psychiatric Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Stephanie Wilson
- Psychiatric Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Cassandra L McLaughlan
- Psychiatric Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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Baccon WC, Salci MA, Carreira L, Gallo AM, Marques FRDM, Paiano M, Baldissera VDA, Laranjeira C. Meanings and Experiences of Prisoners and Family Members Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Brazilian Prison Unit: A Grounded Theory Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6488. [PMID: 37569028 PMCID: PMC10419247 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20156488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic represented a health emergency for prisons. This study sought to understand the meanings and experiences through the narratives of prisoners and family members affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of a maximum-security state penitentiary complex in southern Brazil. For this purpose, a qualitative study was developed based on the methodological framework of constructivist grounded theory. Data were collected between February and August 2022 through individual in-depth interviews and field notes. The sample consisted of 41 participants: 28 male prisoners, and 13 family members. Guided by the Charmaz method of grounded theory analysis, the study afforded the core category "Feeling trapped in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic" with three interrelated phases: "Triggering", "Escalating", and "Readjustment". The "Triggering" phase refers to COVID-19-related elements or events that triggered certain reactions, processes, or changes in prison. During the "Escalating" phase, participants became overwhelmed by the suffering caused by incarceration and the pandemic crisis. The "Readjustment" phase involved adapting, reorienting, or reformulating previous approaches or strategies for dealing with a specific situation. Prisons faced complex challenges during the pandemic and were forced to prioritize protecting public health. However, the measures adopted must be carefully evaluated, ensuring their needs and that they are based on scientific evidence. The punitive approach can undermine inmate trust in prison authorities, making it difficult to report symptoms and adhere to preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanessa Cristina Baccon
- Departamento de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790—Campus Universitário, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil; (W.C.B.); (M.A.S.); (L.C.); (A.M.G.); (F.R.D.M.M.); (M.P.); (V.D.A.B.)
| | - Maria Aparecida Salci
- Departamento de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790—Campus Universitário, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil; (W.C.B.); (M.A.S.); (L.C.); (A.M.G.); (F.R.D.M.M.); (M.P.); (V.D.A.B.)
| | - Lígia Carreira
- Departamento de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790—Campus Universitário, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil; (W.C.B.); (M.A.S.); (L.C.); (A.M.G.); (F.R.D.M.M.); (M.P.); (V.D.A.B.)
| | - Adriana Martins Gallo
- Departamento de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790—Campus Universitário, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil; (W.C.B.); (M.A.S.); (L.C.); (A.M.G.); (F.R.D.M.M.); (M.P.); (V.D.A.B.)
| | - Francielle Renata Danielli Martins Marques
- Departamento de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790—Campus Universitário, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil; (W.C.B.); (M.A.S.); (L.C.); (A.M.G.); (F.R.D.M.M.); (M.P.); (V.D.A.B.)
| | - Marcelle Paiano
- Departamento de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790—Campus Universitário, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil; (W.C.B.); (M.A.S.); (L.C.); (A.M.G.); (F.R.D.M.M.); (M.P.); (V.D.A.B.)
| | - Vanessa Denardi Antoniassi Baldissera
- Departamento de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790—Campus Universitário, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil; (W.C.B.); (M.A.S.); (L.C.); (A.M.G.); (F.R.D.M.M.); (M.P.); (V.D.A.B.)
| | - Carlos Laranjeira
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic of Leiria, Campus 2, Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apartado 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André-66-68, Campus 5, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), University of Évora, 7000-801 Évora, Portugal
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Allan-Blitz LT. Is It Ethical to Mandate SARS-CoV-2 Vaccinations among Incarcerated Persons? THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2022; 22:8-10. [PMID: 34596485 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2021.1974978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
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Esposito M, Salerno M, Di Nunno N, Ministeri F, Liberto A, Sessa F. The Risk of COVID-19 Infection in Prisons and Prevention Strategies: A Systematic Review and a New Strategic Protocol of Prevention. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:270. [PMID: 35206884 PMCID: PMC8872582 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10020270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Health risks within prisons are well known and have worsened with the 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), becoming a public health emergency. To date, there are more than 10 million inmates in the world; in most cases, conditions are bad and health care is scarce. A SARS-CoV-2 outbreak inside a prison is extremely rapid. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze all possible prevention techniques to reduce the risk of COVID-19 related infection within prisons. A systematic review of the literature was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar were used as search engines from 1 January 2020 to 1 November 2021 to evaluate the prevention of COVID-19 in prisoners. A total of 1757 articles were collected. Of them, 486 duplicates were removed. A total of 1250 articles did not meet the inclusion criteria. In conclusion, 21 articles were included in the present systematic review. From this analysis, it emerged that the most common COVID-19 prevention methods were the screening of the entire population (prisoners and workers) inside the prison through swab analysis and the reduction in overcrowding in prisons. Few studies concerned the prevention of COVID-19 infection through vaccination and the implementation of quarantine. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review that evaluates the prevention of COVID-19 within jails and the real effectiveness of all possible methods used and published in the literature. Finally, a very useful strategic protocol is provided to reduce the incidence of infection and to control and manage COVID-19 in prisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Esposito
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy; (M.E.); (M.S.); (F.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Monica Salerno
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy; (M.E.); (M.S.); (F.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Nunzio Di Nunno
- Department of History, Society and Studies on Humanity, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Federica Ministeri
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy; (M.E.); (M.S.); (F.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Aldo Liberto
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy; (M.E.); (M.S.); (F.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Francesco Sessa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
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Suhomlinova O, Ayres TC, Tonkin MJ, O’Reilly M, Wertans E, O’Shea SC. Locked up While Locked Down: Prisoners’ Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic. THE BRITISH JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY 2021:azab060. [PMCID: PMC8344828 DOI: 10.1093/bjc/azab060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on prisoners. The prison environment and prisoner health put prison populations at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. As a result, prison systems have adopted mitigation strategies to reduce the transmission of the virus into and within prisons. These strategies, however, have had an unintended impact on prisoners and their living conditions. In this article, we explore prisoners’ lived experiences of the pandemic in English and Welsh prisons, captured through correspondence with prisoners throughout 12 months of regime restrictions, from April 2020 to April 2021. Drawing on prisoner narratives, the analysis reveals how the restricted regime has exacerbated the pains of imprisonment and had a detrimental impact on prisoners.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michelle O’Reilly
- School of Media, Communication and Sociology and School of Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Thurmaston, Leicester, UK
| | - Emily Wertans
- School of Criminology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the extent, nature and quality of literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of imprisoned people and prison staff. DESIGN Scoping review. DATA SOURCES PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Global Health, Cochrane, PsycINFO, PsychExtra, Web of Science and Scopus were searched for any paper from 2019 onwards that focused on the mental health impact of COVID-19 on imprisoned people and prison staff. A grey literature search focused on international and government sources and professional bodies representing healthcare, public health and prison staff was also performed. We also performed hand searching of the reference lists of included studies. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF STUDIES All papers, regardless of study design, were included if they examined the mental health of imprisoned people or prison staff specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Imprisoned people could be of any age and from any countries. All languages were included. Two independent reviewers quality assessed appropriate papers. RESULTS Of 647 articles found, 83 were eligible for inclusion, the majority (58%) of which were opinion pieces. The articles focused on the challenges to prisoner mental health. Fear of COVID-19, the impact of isolation, discontinuation of prison visits and reduced mental health services were all likely to have an adverse effect on the mental well-being of imprisoned people. The limited research and poor quality of articles included mean that the findings are not conclusive. However, they suggest a significant adverse impact on the mental health and well-being of those who live and work in prisons. CONCLUSIONS It is key to address the mental health impacts of the pandemic on people who live and work in prisons. These findings are discussed in terms of implications for getting the balance between infection control imperatives and the fundamental human rights of prison populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Johnson
- Department of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, UK
| | - Kerry Gutridge
- Centre for Women's Mental Health, Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Manchester, UK
| | - Julie Parkes
- Department of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, UK
| | - Anjana Roy
- Health and Justice Team, Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco and Justice Division, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Emma Plugge
- Department of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, UK
- Health and Justice Team, Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco and Justice Division, Public Health England, London, UK
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DeSalvo K, Hughes B, Bassett M, Benjamin G, Fraser M, Galea S, Gracia JN. Public Health COVID-19 Impact Assessment: Lessons Learned and Compelling Needs. NAM Perspect 2021; 2021:202104c. [PMID: 34532688 PMCID: PMC8406505 DOI: 10.31478/202104c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Karen DeSalvo
- Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin
| | | | | | | | | | | | - J Nadine Gracia
- Trust for America's Health; and Jeffrey Howard, MD, MBA, MPH, former Public Health Commissioner, Kentucky
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