Community-based service requests and utilization among pregnant women incarcerated in jail.

Abstract

Pregnant incarcerated women represent a unique population in the criminal justice system that has been largely overlooked in terms of their service-related needs. The present study examines 241 pregnant incarcerated women’s service requests and preincarceration service utilization related to material help (e.g., food, housing), mental health (e.g., counseling), family services (e.g., home-visiting nurses), and health care (e.g., insurance). A subsample (n = 74) also provided information about service utilization following their release from jail. Analyses examined request and utilization patterns in relation to other sociodemographic risk experiences. Results show that specific risk factors such as age, as well as the accumulation of multiple risk factors, served as barriers to requesting and accessing community-based services. The present study illuminates unique challenges pregnant incarcerated women experience requesting and utilizing services. The results support the use of a gender-responsive, trauma-informed approach to better address the needs of these women.

An integrative literature review of substance use treatment service need and provision to pregnant and postpartum populations in carceral settings

“…A significant portion of the literature on SUD treatment for incarcerated pregnant and postpartum women is dedicated to the treatment of OUD; 18 of the 33 publications examined or provided perspectives on OUD and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment in carceral settings. 13,18–26,28,33,36,42,43,45,46,48–50 Of those 18 publications, 12 discussed the provision and accessibility of substance use treatment in carceral settings. Although MOUD is the recommended standard of care for OUD treatment, 20,39,48,51 articles included within the review show that only some carceral facilities provide MOUD to pregnant and postpartum women.…”

“…four prisons and two jails initiated MOUD in custody 10. Kelsey et al26 53 jails across 40 states Survey Almost half of the jails reported women were managed through withdrawal without the use of symptom alleviators (e.g. suboxone) after intake.…”