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BARRIERS FOR HEALTH CARE IN US FEMALE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES
Hannah Hammoud
WS220, Sara Chadwick
University of Michigan
23 November 2016 Barriers for Health Care in US Female Correctional Facilities Over the course of many years, the rate of incarcerated women has increased dramatically. According to the U.S Department of Justice, the number of incarcerated women increased from a total of 26,378 to 215, 332 between 1980 and 2014 (Carson, 2015). Despite this, correction facilities in America have failed to identify and provide the specific health care needs for women. The detrimental long-term health issues incarcerated women face before and after sentencing is both alarming and a major public health concern. Women in correctional …show more content…
In 2006, studies reported that incarcerated women have elevated rates of tuberculosis, asthma, and Hepatitis C (McQueen, 2006). Many factors may explain this, though it is plausable to conclude that correctional facilities play a role. A study found that the stress of incarceration, poor ventilation in facilities, and inconsistent diets are found to be factors in these serious health issues of incarcerated women (McQueen, 2006). Recent studies have also found that HIV and AIDS are found to be more common among incarcerated women than incarcerated men (De Groot and Maddow, 2006). A large amount of female inmates in correctional facilities in the United States are charged on drug offenses and have a past history of substance abuse. The elevated HIV rates in incarcerated women are related to both their drug use and partake in risky behavior such as having unprotected sex (De Groot and Maddow, …show more content…
Due to a history of mistreatment and fear, incarcerated women typically have mistrust with their health officials. In a study conducted at Rikers Island Jail Complex in New York City, the majority of female inmates were found to want birth control to be provided in their jails but were unsure if they would take it themselves (Schonberg et. al, 2015). Many participants also expressed that they do not trust their health officials with their medical needs because they believe the doctor does not have their best interest in mind (Schonberg et. al, 2015). The power of non health officials(MTAs) also has a great effect on the health of female inmates. The MTAs decide whether or not the inmate deserves medical attention. Many guards see the women as over-dramatic and believe their symptoms are fake (Sodja, 2007). As a result, many women enclose illnesses that go undiagnosed and worsen throughout their
BARRIERS FOR HEALTH CARE IN US FEMALE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES
Hannah Hammoud
WS220, Sara Chadwick
University of Michigan
23 November 2016 Barriers for Health Care in US Female Correctional Facilities Over the course of many years, the rate of incarcerated women has increased dramatically. According to the U.S Department of Justice, the number of incarcerated women increased from a total of 26,378 to 215, 332 between 1980 and 2014 (Carson, 2015). Despite this, correction facilities in America have failed to identify and provide the specific health care needs for women. The detrimental long-term health issues incarcerated women face before and after sentencing is both alarming and a major public health concern. Women in correctional …show more content…
In 2006, studies reported that incarcerated women have elevated rates of tuberculosis, asthma, and Hepatitis C (McQueen, 2006). Many factors may explain this, though it is plausable to conclude that correctional facilities play a role. A study found that the stress of incarceration, poor ventilation in facilities, and inconsistent diets are found to be factors in these serious health issues of incarcerated women (McQueen, 2006). Recent studies have also found that HIV and AIDS are found to be more common among incarcerated women than incarcerated men (De Groot and Maddow, 2006). A large amount of female inmates in correctional facilities in the United States are charged on drug offenses and have a past history of substance abuse. The elevated HIV rates in incarcerated women are related to both their drug use and partake in risky behavior such as having unprotected sex (De Groot and Maddow, …show more content…
Due to a history of mistreatment and fear, incarcerated women typically have mistrust with their health officials. In a study conducted at Rikers Island Jail Complex in New York City, the majority of female inmates were found to want birth control to be provided in their jails but were unsure if they would take it themselves (Schonberg et. al, 2015). Many participants also expressed that they do not trust their health officials with their medical needs because they believe the doctor does not have their best interest in mind (Schonberg et. al, 2015). The power of non health officials(MTAs) also has a great effect on the health of female inmates. The MTAs decide whether or not the inmate deserves medical attention. Many guards see the women as over-dramatic and believe their symptoms are fake (Sodja, 2007). As a result, many women enclose illnesses that go undiagnosed and worsen throughout their