Self-Care Management in Corrections: Perspectives From Persons With an Incarceration Experience

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and beliefs of what self-care management looks like for a person with an incarceration experience. This is the first phase of a two-phase study. This qualitative study, held in three county jails in Massachusetts, utilized a focus group methodology. The Rediscovery of Self-Care: A Care Intervention for Persons with Incarceration Experience (RSC) model served as the framework for this study. On the basis of a priori constructs from the RSC model, a protocol was established and targeted questions outlined. The results from these focus groups support the constructs of the RSC model. Participants in all focus group interviews reported that self-care was very important and defined self-care, most of the time, in terms of meeting physical needs such as exercising and eating healthy and, more importantly, self-identified mental health and substance use needs such as individual or group counseling. In conclusion, open-ended questions used to identify all instances of potential categories of self-care management supported the central concepts of the RSC model and will inform treatment interventions and modification of an existing self-care management instrument or provide the foundation for the development of a new instrument.

Prisoners’ experience and perceptions of health care in Australian prisons: a qualitative study

“…The concepts that emerged from this study are not unique. Previous studies have documented access to care and information, gatekeeping, communication, issues with medication, confidentially, staff interactions, quality, waiting times and regimentation as concepts emerging from prisoners’ perceptions of health care while in prison (Ahmed et al , 2016; Condon et al , 2007; Maruca et al , 2017; Plugge et al , 2008). However, this study is the first to conceptualise these perceptions around the core category of access to health care.…”

“…Previous international qualitative studies have explored prisoners’ experiences in prison of which health was a major component. These studies explored prison life and the impact of imprisonment on health including the resultant loss of autonomy for self-care, enforced breaks from drugs and chaotic lifestyles and having more time on their hands to address overdue health needs (Hughes and Huby, 2000; Douglas et al , 2009; Maruca et al , 2017; Gately et al , 2006). The barriers to accessing health care identified, in studies evaluating prison health services include: long waiting times, delays and changes in medication, confidentiality breaches, poor communication, gatekeeping practices by staff, absence of information concerning health practices and medication and quality of health care (Ahmed et al , 2016; Bowen et al , 2009; Plugge et al , 2008; Russell et al , 2006; Sullivan et al , 2015; Condon et al , 2007).…”