Examining the Relationship Between Incarceration and Population Health: The Roles of Region and Urbanicity

Weidner, Robert; Schultz, Jennifer

doi:10.1177/0887403420916907

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Individuals in the criminal legal system are disproportionately made up of people of color and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds who are more likely to be struggling with other disparities such as homelessness, lack of transportation, and loss of employment that could increase recidivism (39)(40)(41)(42). Incarceration is also itself a trauma that has negative effects on morbidity and mortality (43)(44)(45). Given such disadvantages for this population, challenges jails face caring for this population, plus the exacerbated mental health needs highlighted by COVID-19 pandemic, investment of possible solutions is urgent (46-52…”

Section: Linkage To Community Mental Healthcarementioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Healthcare Practices from Entry to Release across Southeastern Jails

DiRosa,

Deinse,

Cuddeback

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background: Individuals with mental illnesses are disproportionately incarcerated in jails, which have become de facto mental health institutions across the US. Yet there is limited research describing mental healthcare practices from entry to release among multiple jails and states. Methods: We conducted 34 semi-structured interviews with jail healthcare personnel across five Southeastern states. Results: We report results on challenges and practices related to mental health staffing, screening, additional evaluations and services, and discharge planning in jails. Initial mental health screenings were often restricted to the detection of suicidality and history of treatment and medications as opposed to current mental health symptoms. Use of validated mental health screening forms was uncommon. We found delays in care between the initial health screening and being evaluated by a mental health professional. Most jails reported primary responsibilities for mental health care as preventing suicides and managing psychiatric medications. Jails reported mental health care as challenging to manage, with high volumes of individuals with mental health needs, yet limited resources, especially regarding staffing. Discharge planning was limited despite reports of poor continuity of mental healthcare. Conclusions: Jails have a constitutional duty and opportunity to provide adequate healthcare to individuals with mental illnesses, yet practices are insufficient and resources are limited across jails. Based on our findings, we recommend 1) greater adoption and revisions of jail health standards 2) system improvement that expands identification of mental illnesses and quicker, less variable follow-up mental health evaluations, 3) improved linkages and supports for community resources that prevent incarceration of this population.

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Section: Linkage To Community Mental Healthcarementioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Healthcare Practices from Entry to Release across Southeastern Jails

DiRosa,

Deinse,

Cuddeback

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Incarceration is also costly to offenders, their families, and to society as a whole, as these costs tend to be excluded from the analysis. Incarcerated individuals suffer from immediate income losses when in jail and losses in lifetime earnings, and suffer from poor health (Cloud et al, 2014; Pager, 2007; Schnittker & John, 2007; Tyler & Brockman, 2017; Weidner & Schultz, 2021; Wildeman & Muller, 2012). Partners, children, and families of incarcerated individuals are affected by losses in household income and benefits, including health care coverage, poor health, and household and marital instability (Arditti & Few, 2006; Massoglia & Schnittker, 2009; Miller & Barnes, 2015; Provencher & Conway, 2019; Turanovic & Rodriguez, 2017; Turney, 2014; Western & Pettit, 2010).…”

Section: The Costs Of Incarcerationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methods of Calculating the Marginal Cost of Incarceration: A Scoping Review

Wilson

Lemoine

2021

Criminal Justice Policy Review

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Criminal justice reforms and corrections cost forecasts require appropriate estimates of the marginal costs of incarceration to adequately assess cost savings and projections. Average costs are simple to calculate while marginal cost calculations require much more detailed data and advanced methods. We undertook a scoping review to identify, report, and summarize the existing academic and gray literature covering the different estimation methods of calculating the marginal costs of incarceration, following the Arksey and O’Malley framework. Eighteen publications met criteria for inclusion in this review, with only one from the peer-reviewed literature. The three main approaches in the literature and their use are reviewed and illustrated. We conclude that there is a lack of, and need for, peer-reviewed literature on methods for calculating the marginal cost of incarceration, and marginal cost estimates of incarceration, to assist program evaluation, policy, and cost forecasting in the field of corrections.

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“…Mass incarceration is a public health crisis in the United States (Weidner and Schultz 2021 ). The U.S. has the world’s highest incarceration rate (Initiative pp 2018 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of County-level health infrastructure on participation in a reform effort to reduce the use of jail for individuals with mental health disorders

et al. 2023

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Background The national Stepping Up Initiative has attracted over 500 counties interested in reducing the use of jail for individuals with mental health disorders. This paper identifies socioeconomic, criminal legal, and health care factors that predict the likelihood of counties joining Stepping Up. Results After performing variable selection, logistic regression models were performed on 3,141 U.S. counties. Counties designated as medically underserved and/or mental health staffing shortage areas were less likely to participate in this initiative. Logistic regression models showed that larger counties (populations over 250,000) with better health care infrastructure, more mental health providers per capita, higher percent of Medicaid funded drug treatment services, and at least one medical school, were more likely to join Stepping Up. These counties had lower per capita jail populations, higher concentration of police resources, and higher pretrial incarceration rate. Conclusions County-level health care delivery factors are major contributors to a county’s likelihood, or willingness, of engaging in Stepping Up reform efforts to reduce jail population with mental health disorders issues. Therefore, improving availability and accessibility of medical and behavioral health care in different communities, may facilitate efforts to address the unnecessary incarceration of individuals with mental health disorders.

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Examining the Relationship Between Incarceration and Population Health: The Roles of Region and Urbanicity

Cited by 3 publications

References 68 publications

Mental Healthcare Practices from Entry to Release across Southeastern Jails

Mental Healthcare Practices from Entry to Release across Southeastern Jails

Methods of Calculating the Marginal Cost of Incarceration: A Scoping Review

Impact of County-level health infrastructure on participation in a reform effort to reduce the use of jail for individuals with mental health disorders

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