Harm Reduction and Women in the Canadian National Prison System: Policy or Practice?

Abstract

Applying the principles of harm reduction within the context of incarcerated populations raises a number of challenges. Although some access to harm reduction strategies has been promoted in general society, a divide between what is available and what is advocated continues to exist within the prison system. This paper explores the perceptions and lived experiences of a sample of nationally incarcerated women in Canada regarding their perceptions and experiences in accessing HIV and Hepatitis C prevention, care, treatment and support. In-depth interviews were conducted with 156 women in Canadian national prisons. Q.S.R. Nudist was used to assist with data management. A constant comparison method was used to derive categories, patterns, and themes. Emergent themes highlighted a gap between access to harm reduction in policy and in practice. Despite the implementation of some harm reduction techniques, women in Canadian prisons reported variable access to both education and methods of reducing HIV/HCV transmission. Concerns were also raised about pre-and post-test counseling for HIV/HCV testing. Best practices are suggested for implementing harm reduction strategies within prisons for women in Canada.

Crecimiento, desarrollo, integración socialy prácticas de crianza en niños que viven con sus madres en prisión

“…16 No se detectaron enfermedades importantes en los niños, al contrario de lo descripto en Italia. 17 Los estándares de atención médica en la Unidad 31 pueden ser mejores que los que reciben muchos niños del exterior, donde se ha dicho que "algunas personas en prisión reciben mejores cuidados que cuando están libres".…”

Women and Barriers to Harm Reduction Services: A Literature Review and Initial Findings From a Qualitative Study in Barcelona, Spain

“…[75][76][77] Women consistently report unsafe injection behaviour in prison in the absence of accessible sterile injecting equipment. [13,[78][79][80] This includes syringe sharing, the use improvised injection equipment, and the use of bleach as disinfectant. [13,[80][81][82] Women in prisons where harm reduction services are available can face the same barriers to access as women outside.…”

Nursing Practice With Incarcerated Women

“…In general, the categories I identified include research articles, again mostly qualitative, designed to improve mental health, health promotion, harm reduction, or legal advocacy practice with incarcerated women (Pedlar et al, 2008;Rehman, Gahagan, DiCenso, & Dias, 2004); methodology articles describing participatory action research methods (Martin et al, 2009); essays on program and policy reform (Alfred & Chlup, 2009;Kilty, 2012); and essays on the sociopolitical underpinnings of incarceration, which frequently call for political activism of various types (Allspach, 2010;Maidment, 2006;Reynolds, 2008). Kilty (2012) reviewed life history interviews with 22 formerly incarcerated Canadian women to argue that "psy" treatment (psychiatry and psychology) in prison is used for social control including discipline and punishment.…”

“…Both contain articles describing ways to improve therapeutic practice and the provision of health and human services with criminalized women. In particular, there is some overlap in the areas of mental health issues and trauma-informed practice (Harner & Burgess, 2011;Harner & Riley, 2013;Kelly et al, 2014;Mangnall & Yurkovich, 2010;Pedlar et al, 2008;Rehman et al, 2004). Both bodies of literature contain some research using participatory action methodologies and innovative programming (Martin et al, 2009;O'Gorman et al, 2012;Pedlar et al, 2008;Sherwood & Kendall, 2013).…”