A tale of “second chances”: an experimental examination of popular support for early release mechanisms that reconsider long-term prison sentences

Berryessa, Colleen M.

doi:10.1007/s11292-021-09466-x

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 97 publications

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“…Given increasing deaths in custody, increased mortality risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, soaring health care costs, and the low recidivism rates among the elderly ( 67 ), accessible and more expansive compassionate release programs are imperative. Public health researchers and advocates should call for bold sentencing reforms since long-term sentences do not improve public safety or reduce recidivism ( 15 , 21 ), prison environments exacerbate morbidity, and second-chance mechanisms (including universal parole eligibility, presumptive parole, and second-look sentencing) can improve the rates of release among older adults and reduce burdens on prison health care systems ( 31 ).…”

Section: Important Areas Of Focus For Public Health Research and Inte...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Public Health and Prisons: Priorities in the Age of Mass Incarceration

Cloud

Garcia-Grossman

Williams

2023

Annu. Rev. Public Health

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Mass incarceration is a sociostructural driver of profound health inequalities in the United States. The political and economic forces underpinning mass incarceration are deeply rooted in centuries of the enslavement of people of African descent and the genocide and displacement of Indigenous people and is inextricably connected to labor exploitation, racial discrimination, the criminalization of immigration, and behavioral health problems such as mental illness and substance use disorders. This article focuses on major public health crises and advances in state and federal prisons and discusses a range of practical strategies for health scholars, practitioners, and activists to promote the health and dignity of incarcerated people. It begins by summarizing the historical and sociostructural factors that have led to mass incarceration in the United States. It then describes the ways in which prison conditions create or worsen chronic, communicable, and behavioral health conditions, while highlighting priority areas for public health research and intervention to improve the health of incarcerated people, including decarceral solutions that can profoundly minimize—and perhaps one day help abolish—the use of prisons. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 44 is April 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

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Section: Important Areas Of Focus For Public Health Research and Inte...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Public Health and Prisons: Priorities in the Age of Mass Incarceration

Cloud

Garcia-Grossman

Williams

2023

Annu. Rev. Public Health

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Portrayals of gun violence victimization and public support for firearm policies: an experimental analysis

2022

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Coerced motherhood behind bars: Public support for abortion access for incarcerated women

Smith,

Cullen,

Pickett

et al. 2024

Criminology & Public Policy

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Research SummaryThe U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade has profound implications for the 58,000 incarcerated women who are pregnant. Especially in states that now ban abortion, women in prisons and jails who prefer to terminate their pregnancy will be denied that choice by the government and will be forced to give birth. Based on a July 2023 YouGov survey (N = 800) employing three experiments and measuring attitudes toward inmate abortion and parental aid, the current study examines public opinion on coerced motherhood, focusing on states prohibiting reproductive choice. The results reveal that a majority of the American public favors providing incarcerated women in these states with access to abortion through surgical procedures or medication (pills). Among respondents residing in states banning abortion, more endorse than oppose reproductive rights. Support for abortion is particularly high when the pregnancy is due to rape or poses a risk to a woman's health. Respondents also approve incarcerated mothers receiving parental aid (e.g., baby food, baby clothing, nursery care). Notably, conservative Republicans are most in favor of coercing motherhood and least in favor of providing parental aid.Policy ImplicationsCoerced motherhood behind bars is a human rights violation. Our study shows that it is also opposed by the American public. Thus, ideological space exists for reforms aimed at providing incarcerated women with access to reproductive services. Every correctional facility should be given a written protocol (Model Reproductive Services Code) that mandates pregnancy screenings, counseling, and assistance in scheduling services, as well as transportation for surgery and/or access to pills for a medical abortion. Above all, transparency is needed to raise consciousness about coerced motherhood behind bars and to shed light on how corrections professionals handle inmate pregnancies.

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A tale of “second chances”: an experimental examination of popular support for early release mechanisms that reconsider long-term prison sentences

Cited by 5 publications

References 97 publications

Public Health and Prisons: Priorities in the Age of Mass Incarceration

Public Health and Prisons: Priorities in the Age of Mass Incarceration

Portrayals of gun violence victimization and public support for firearm policies: an experimental analysis

Coerced motherhood behind bars: Public support for abortion access for incarcerated women

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