incarceration and health exam 2

Name and explain the 4 primary waus to capture violence exposure during incarceration

• Primary Violence - Physical/Personal

• Secondary - Witnessed

• Ambient Threats of Victimization - “sounds of violence”

• Poly-Victimization - multiple types of vicitmization

How often is violence experienced by incarcerated people

Violence - 15-25% people experience violence

• 75 people/year die

• Majority = unreported

Discuss the research methods and findings of the Novisky & Peralta (2020) prison violence studyj

Methods: N = 30; in-depth interviews, qualitative study: more focused on personal experiences—open ended questions

Findings: 100% of participants reported witnessing violence inflicted on others

Name two criminological theories that would help explain how exposure to violence during incarceration could be linked to recidivism risks. Dicuss the differences between each theory

1. General Strain Theory (Agnew)

   • When people are exposed to difficult circumstances = leads to difficult emotions → harder coping → relying on anti-social behavior

2. Social Learning Theory (Akers)

   • “Monkey see, monkey do.”

   • Humans tend to mimic their social environment

Explain what solitary confinement consists of. How many persons are housed in solitary confinement in the U.S.

• 6’ 9” - Parking Space

• No human contact

• 1-2 hrs/day to shower/exercise

• Solid metal doors

• Little/no sunlight

Discuss the reasons people get sent to solitary confinement units

• Disciplinary Segregation (not listening)

• Administrative Custody (safety concern - high profile case)

• Overcrowding

Where does the U.S. Supreme Court stand regarding the constitutionality of solitary confinement?

• Rhodes v. Chapman (1981) - double celling—not constitutional violation

• Madrid v. Gomez (1995) - exposure of solitary confinement to mentally ill prisoners—require more care = unconstitutional

• Helling v. McKinney (1993) - exposure to secondhand smoke = future harm = unconstitutional

  • 8th Amendment - protection against cruel/unusual punishment

What does the research conclude about the impacts of extreme isolation on animals and human subjects

Animals:

• Increased in BP & Heart Rate

• Heart enlargement → pump failure

• Increased responsiveness to stress hormones → heart attacks

• Weaker immunological response → animal more prone to infections

• Abnormal walking pattern

Humans:

• Sleep/weight loss

• Stomach/headache

• Hypertension

• Heart attacks

• Strokes

Describe the social demographics involved in the use of disciplinary segregation.

Groups likely to be sent to SC:

• Black/Hispanic & Latino Men

• Pre-existing mental health conditions

• Learning disabilities

What are the symptoms of solitary confinement-associated psychiatric syndrome

SCPD:

1. Hypersensitive to external stimuli

2. Perceptual distortions, illusions & hallunications

3. Panic Attacks

4. Difficulties w/ Thinking, Concentration & Memory

5. Intrusive/Obsessive Thoughts

6. Overt Paranoia

7. Impluse Control Problems

How is solitary confinement related to mortality rate?

• 6-8% of the prison population have been in solitary; ~50% have committed suicide

  • Likely to die from:

    • Suicide

    • Opioid OD

    • Homicide

Discuss trends in the age makeup of the incarceration population

~20% of prison population = 50+

How is the term “older” typically defined for incarcerated groups?

“Older” = 50-55+

Discuss factors that contribute to health problems among older incarcerated adults

• Higher than average rates of pre-existing health problems

• Varying degrees of health literacy & capital

• Inadequate healthcare in prisons

• Poor access to accessibility equipment

• Exposure to poor sanitation & infectious disease

• Exposure to above average stress

Explain what compassionate release programs are, their benefits, and barriers assoicated with their use.

Programs that allow release of a prisoner for medical reasons

Benefits:

• Cost-saving

• Reduction in medically driven lawsuits

• Reduction in trauma reports

• Ensures humane punishments

Barriers:

• Terminal diagnosis required—6/mos. or less

• Paperwork: 2-3 mos. - $125 or $300

• Housing plan required

• Non-ambulatory (unable to move on their own)

Summarize the research methods used in Novisky (2018) study

Survey-led, face-to-face interviews with a qualitative component

N: 279 (quantitative surveys)

N: 184 (qualitative accounts)

• 1,158 men total

Summarize the findings and limitations of Novisky’s (2018) study

Findings:

• 3 distinct themes that highlight the range of health promotion strategies utilized by inmates:

  • Controlling food/diet options

  • Acquisition of medical knowledge

  • Health advocacy

Limitations:

• Woman & Latino/Hispanic men not included

• Low response rate ~15%