How Incarceration Affects the Health of Communities and Families

Gifford, Elizabeth J.

doi:10.18043/ncm.80.6.372

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The physical and psychological effects of torture and incarceration have a substantial burden on the individual, workforce, healthcare system, and society (Breivik et al, 2013;Sareen, 2014;Gifford, 2019;Wildeman et al, 2019;Kinner & Young, 2018). This is related to decreased work productivity and high rates of healthcare utilization and disability (Breivik et al, 2013;Sareen, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of a combined psychotherapy and physiotherapy group treatment program for survivors of torture incarcerated in an adult prison in Kurdistan, Iraq: A pilot study

Gamble¹,

Ahmed

Rahim³

et al. 2020

torture

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Introduction: Survivors of torture have high rates of mental health problems and can experience a sequela of physical effects with the most common being persistent pain. Similar to survivors of torture, persons that are incarcerated have high rates of mental health problems, persistent pain and pain-related disability.The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of an interdisciplinary group treatment approach, involving psychotherapy and physiotherapy, with survivors of torture whom are incarcerated in a prison in Kurdistan, Iraq. Methods: A parallel group study design was used to compare a treatment group (n=11) and a wait-list control group (n=16). The treatment group participated in an interdisciplinary treatment service for a total of 10 weekly group sessions for each discipline.The primary outcome measures were symptoms of nociplastic pain, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Secondary outcome measures evaluated physical functioning, sleep quality, and general self-efficacy. Results: A statistically significant reduction in outcome measure scores was seen in all symptoms measured immediately post-treatment. Discussion and Conclusion: These findings suggest that a culturally and contextually appropriate interdisciplinary group treatment in- tervention for survivors of torture in a prison could be effective for short-term reductions in symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, per- sistent pain, and function. The study has limitations including a small sample size, lack of long-term outcome measures, and an inability to isolate effect of each component of care.The study does demonstrate the feasibility of implementing research that follows international research standards and practices within under- researched settings and post-conflict areas.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of a combined psychotherapy and physiotherapy group treatment program for survivors of torture incarcerated in an adult prison in Kurdistan, Iraq: A pilot study

Gamble¹,

Ahmed

Rahim³

et al. 2020

torture

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Finally, the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on incarcerated persons and their family members also points to decarceration (i.e., reducing the number of people incarcerated) as a policy option that warrants greater consideration. Indeed, incarceration is harmful to the health of both communities and families (Gifford, 2019;Wildeman et al, 2019), and these harms may be exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic (Novisky et al, 2021;Reinhart & Chen, 2020 Evidence suggests that a release of those who do not pose an ongoing threat of danger can help flatten the curve of COVID-19 with minimal risk to public safety (Malloy et al, 2021;Vest et al, 2021) and such a policy was a recommended component of the National Academies' October 2020 expert policy consensus (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021). The results of the current study also suggest such an approach may minimize apprehension stemming from loved ones and simultaneously reform criminal justice policies that have contributed to mass incarceration (Macmadu et al, 2020;Novisky et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family member incarceration and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic

Testa

Fahmy

2021

Health Justice

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Background The disproportionately high rate of incarceration and COVID-19 cases during the summer of 2020 in the United States contributed to a set of circumstances that has produced considerable public health concerns as correctional facilities have emerged as significant COVID-19 hot spots. During the COVID-19 pandemic, having a family member incarcerated can be an especially stressful experience. This study assesses how concern about an incarcerated family member contracting COVID-19 impacts diverse coping strategies. Results Data are from a survey of individuals who have a family member incarcerated in Texas (N = 365). Ordinary least squares regression is used to examine the association between concern about an incarcerated family member contracting COVID-19 and coping strategies. Findings demonstrate that higher levels of concern for an incarcerated person’s wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with dysfunctional coping mechanisms, but not adaptive or functional coping strategies. Conclusions Results suggest appropriate systemic responses by correctional administrations and public health practices can help mitigate dysfunctional coping mechanisms by family members during infectious disease outbreaks in correctional facilities.

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“…However, while risk factors associated to gang membership and criminal justice involvement are documented in relation to health, less research exists on the ways these are also interconnected to long-term criminalization associated with multiple risk factors, and the way labels (gang members, criminals) criminalize and form part of the social problem to deal with public health issues. Incarceration has also shown to exacerbate health disorders and expose people to elevated health risks such as viral infections and victimization (Sanders et al 2013) and because violence and incarceration happen more often in poor communities of color, entire neighborhoods suffer from negative health outcomes, such as high blood pressure and stress (Gifford 2019;Wilson et al 2000). Maternal incarceration includes serious health problems such as traumas due to child separation and long-term substance use and history of physical and sexual abuse (Owen 2003).…”

Section: Connecting Criminalization Violence and Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“In and Out of Crisis”: Life Course Criminalization for Jefas in the Barrio

Maldonado-Fabela

2022

Crit Crim

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Scholars have documented how violence, criminalization, and other forms of control impact the life trajectories of criminalized women. Less research exists on the ways that processes of criminalization affect the health of mothers across the life course. This study examines how the legal constructions of criminalized labels such as gang affiliation, are a process of long-term violence and threat of violence and second, how short and long-term criminalization affects family health–what I refer to as life course criminalization. This qualitative study is based on photo elicitation life history testimonios with 13 gang affiliated, system-impacted Chicana/Latina mothers from South Central Los Angeles, California and connects life course theory with feminist abolitionist decolonial perspectives. It documents how crises perpetuated by multi-institutional violence and other forms of violence influence relations between legal, social, and health related experiences for system-impacted mothers and their families. Through their testimonios they show the intergenerational mechanisms that connect the body’s health, family surveillance, and criminalization processes to survival, and spiritual resistance.

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How Incarceration Affects the Health of Communities and Families

Cited by 10 publications

References 28 publications

The effects of a combined psychotherapy and physiotherapy group treatment program for survivors of torture incarcerated in an adult prison in Kurdistan, Iraq: A pilot study

The effects of a combined psychotherapy and physiotherapy group treatment program for survivors of torture incarcerated in an adult prison in Kurdistan, Iraq: A pilot study

Family member incarceration and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic

“In and Out of Crisis”: Life Course Criminalization for Jefas in the Barrio

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