Malign Neglect: Assessing Older Women’s Health Care Experiences in Prison

Abstract

The problem of providing mandated medical care has become commonplace as correctional systems in the United States struggle to manage unprecedented increases in its aging prison population. This study explores older incarcerated women's perceptions of prison health care policies and their day-to-day survival experiences. Aggregate data obtained from a sample of 327 older women (mean age = 56) residing in prison facilities in five Southern states were used to identify a baseline of health conditions and needs for this vulnerable group. With an average of 4.2 chronic health conditions, frequently histories of victimization, and high rates of mental health issues, the women's experiences of negotiating health care was particularly challenging. By incorporating the voices of older women, we expose the contradictions, dilemmas, and obstacles they experience in their attempts to obtain health care. It is clear from the personal accounts shared that, despite court mandates, penal harm practices such as delaying or denying medical treatment as well as occasional staff indifferences are common in women's prisons. With older women having the greatest need for health care, an age- and gender-sensitive approach is recommended.

The Effects of Age at Prison Release on Women’s Desistance Trajectories: a Mixed-Method Analysis

“…Despite her dwindling comfort and self-esteem, she was committed to reclaiming the work ethic that she once maintained and is looking for a break from an employer who will give her one more chance to perform as she believes that she one day can. This example is consistent with Aday and Farney's [1] study findings highlighting that older female inmates must reconcile a unique set of healthcare complications that are often poorly addressed while in custody and even ignored upon reentry. Many prison facilities and community correctional settings are ill equipped to meet the needs of ailing women, which may only exacerbate desistance outcomes in the long term.…”

Inmate Society in the Era of Mass Incarceration

“…The number of female prisoners age 55 and older quadrupled between 1993 and 2013, accounting for 39% of the overall growth in the female prison population during this period (Carson and Sabol 2016). Most of the research on these aging prisoners focuses on health care needs and the attending inadequacies of the health care facilities in women’s prisons (see e.g., Aday and Farney 2014; Fisher and Hatton 2010; Harner and Riley 2013; Proctor 2009; Young and Revere 2001) rather than how this shift in the age structure may be altering the inmate society in women’s prisons. However, some attention has been given to “lifers” whose presence in the prison population has also increased.…”

Prison Experiences and Psychological Distress among Older Inmates

“…Some literature describes interactions with prison staff (including both correctional officers and health staff) as distressing for older prisoners (Aday & Farney, 2014;Crawley & Sparks, 2005b;Loeb & Steffensmeier, 2011;Mann, 2012). For example, one study of older female prisoners described infantalizing, unresponsive, disrespectful and degrading interactions with staff, which conflicted with older prisoners' sense of "place within the generational order" (Wahidin, 2004, p. 169).…”