Browsing by Subject "Incarceration"
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Item Addressing mental health through therapeutic art for incarcerated mothers(2024-04-24) Briggeman, Hailey; Van Antwerp, Leah; Van Antwerp, Leah; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; None, NoneIncarcerated mothers have a high likelihood of experiencing trauma, mental health disorders, and substance use. Incarceration contributes to high levels of stress which affects both the mothers’ and their children’s mental wellbeing. This capstone project sought to improve incarcerated mothers’ mental wellness through a 7-week therapeutic art program focused on emotional regulation, coping skills, goal setting, self-esteem, and connectedness. Through targeting these performance skills, the goal was to improve overall mental well-being. The efficacy of this program was assessed through a pre- and post- survey taken from three staff members who work closely with the women. The results indicated changes in multiple categories, including significant changes in coping and overall connectedness. This project had an impact on multiple areas of mental health. For sustainability, a binder was created that had examples of art projects and activities to decrease stress even after the program ended. More studies should be conducted to determine the effects of therapeutic art for incarcerated women.Item Aging With Incarceration Histories: An Intersectional Examination of Incarceration and Health Outcomes Among Older Adults(Oxford, 2023-05) Latham-Mintus, Kenzie; Deck, Monica M.; Nelson, Elizabeth; Sociology, School of Liberal ArtsObjectives Experiences with incarceration are linked to poor mental and physical health across the life course. The purpose of this research is to examine whether incarceration histories are associated with worse physical and mental health among older adults. We apply an intersectionality framework and consider how the intersection of sexism and racism leads to unequal health outcomes following incarceration among women and people of color. Methods We employ 2 measures of health (i.e., number of depressive symptoms and physical limitations) to broadly capture mental and physical health. Using data from Waves 11 and 12 of the Health and Retirement Study, we estimated a series of general linear models to analyze differences in health by incarceration history, gender/sex, and race/ethnicity. Results Findings suggest that experiences with incarceration are associated with a greater number of physical limitations and more depressive symptoms among older men and women, net of sociodemographic characteristics, early-life conditions, and lifetime stressful events. Formerly incarcerated women, particularly women of color, had more physical limitations and depressive symptoms relative to other groups. Discussion These findings suggest that incarceration histories have far-reaching health implications. Older women of color with incarceration histories experience markedly high levels of physical limitations and depressive symptoms in later life.Item Antecedents of Fatal Overdose in an Adult Cohort Identified through Administrative Record Linkage in Indiana, 2015–2022(Elsevier, 2023) Ray, Bradley; Christian, Kaitlyn; Bailey, Timothy; Alton, Madison; Proctor, Alison; Haggerty, John; Lowder, Evan; Aalsma, Matthew; Pediatrics, School of MedicineBackground: The United States continues to experience unprecedented rates of overdose mortality and need to identify effective policies or practices that can be implemented. This study aims to measure the prevalence, frequency, timing, and rate of touchpoints that occurred prior to a fatal overdose where communities might intervene. Methods: In collaboration with Indiana state government, we conducted record-linkage of statewide administrative datasets to vital records (January 1, 2015, through August 26, 2022) to identify touchpoints (jail booking, prison release, prescription medication dispensation, emergency department visits, and emergency medical services). We examined touchpoints within 12-months prior to a fatal overdose among an adult cohort and explored variation over time and by demographic characteristics. Results: Over the 92-month study period there were 13,882 overdose deaths (89.3% accidental poisonings, X40-X44) in our adult cohort that were record-linked to multiple administrative datasets and revealed nearly two-thirds (64.7%; n=8980) experienced an emergency department visit, the most prevalent touchpoint followed by prescription medication dispensation, emergency medical services responses, jail booking, and prison release. However, with approximately 1 out of every 100 returning citizens dying from drug overdose within 12-months of release, prison release had the highest touchpoint rate followed by emergency medical services responses, jail booking, emergency department visits, and prescription medication dispensation. Conclusion: Record-linking administrative data from routine practice to vital records from overdose mortality is a viable means of identifying where resources should be situated to reduce fatal overdose, with potential to evaluate the effectiveness of overdose prevention efforts.Item The Association between Incarceration and Transactional Sex among HIV-infected Young Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States(Springer Nature, 2018-08) Philbin, Morgan M.; Kinnard, Elizabeth N.; Tanner, Amanda E.; Ware, Samuella; Chambers, Brittany D.; Ma, Alice; Fortenberry, J. Dennis; Pediatrics, School of MedicineCriminal justice practices in the USA disproportionately affect sexual and racial/ethnic minority men, who are at higher risk of incarceration. Previous research demonstrates associations between incarceration and sexual risk behaviors for men who have sex with men (MSM). However, little of this work focuses on young MSM (YMSM), particularly HIV-infected YMSM, despite nearly one-third reporting engagement in sexual risk behaviors, such as transactional sex. We therefore explored the association between incarceration and transactional sex among HIV-infected YMSM. We recruited 97 HIV-infected YMSM across 14 clinical sites in urban centers from August 2015 to February 2016. We used multivariate logistic regression to examine the relationship between incarceration and transactional sex among YMSM. The majority was 24 years old (78%) and racial/ethnic minority (95%); over half were not in school and reported an annual income of < $12,000. In the multivariate model, having ever been incarcerated (aOR = 3.20; 95% CI 1.07–9.63) was independently associated with a history of transactional sex. Being 24 years vs. younger (aOR = 9.68; 95% CI 1.42–65.78) and having ever been homeless (aOR = 3.71, 95% CI 1.18–11.65) also remained independently associated with a history of transactional sex. This analysis fills a gap in the literature by examining the relationship between incarceration and transactional sex among HIV-infected YMSM. Facilitating youths’ engagement with social services available in their HIV clinic may serve as a key strategy in promoting health. Public health efforts need to address social-structural factors driving disproportionate rates of arrest and incarceration and related harms among this population.Item The Hidden Costs of Incarceration(2021-07-29) Huntington, Christian; Messmore, NikiPeople who have been incarcerated face many obstacles, many of which are not immediately clear to those who do not have experience with the justice system. In addition to direct consequences such as loss of housing and employment due to being in jail or prison, there are many additional repercussions which have been referred to as “collateral” or “indirect” consequences. These consequences, which may seem relatively insignificant when considered individually, have an additive effect on the incarcerated individual and their loved ones which hinders transition back into society. When considering the goals of the justice system, regardless of whether an emphasis is placed on punishment or rehabilitation, there is a vested interest for society as a whole to make reintegration as simple as possible. These hidden costs, which will be discussed in this submission, hinder this reintegration for those who have been incarcerated, which reinforces the cycle of incarceration through increasing recidivism and stigma against those who have been incarcerated. This submission aims to show the importance of lessening stigma against those who have been incarcerated and lowering institutional barriers to reentry. In this study, Interviews were conducted with residents and staff members of Dismas House of Indiana, Inc. in order to explore the barriers that they have faced through incarceration. Many hidden costs of incarceration were discussed for both the individual and their loved ones and for the state. Costs and fees associated with phone calls, visitation, laundry, hygiene products, and other goods purchased from commissary at a markup make up a significant financial burden for an inmate and their families. Even after release, loss of belongings as well as fees associated with home detention and work release programs can be significant as well. Aside from direct financial impacts, incarceration has collateral consequences on mental health, as well as impeded access to healthcare, jobs, transportation, and housing.Item How legal problems are conceptualized and measured in healthcare settings: a systematic review(BMC, 2023-11) Vest, Joshua R.; Hinrichs, Rachel J.; Hosler, HeidiLegal problems encompass issues requiring resolution through the justice system. This social risk factor creates barriers in accessing services and increases risk of poor health outcomes. A systematic review of the peer-reviewed English-language health literature following the PRISMA guidelines sought to answer the question, how has the concept of patients’ “legal problems” been operationalized in healthcare settings? Eligible articles reported the measurement or screening of individuals for legal problems in a United States healthcare or clinical setting. We abstracted the prevalence of legal problems, characteristics of the sampled population, and which concepts were included. 58 studies reported a total of 82 different measurements of legal problems. 56.8% of measures reflected a single concept (e.g., incarcerated only). The rest of the measures reflected two or more concepts within a single reported measure (e.g., incarcerations and arrests). Among all measures, the concept of incarceration or being imprisoned appeared the most frequently (57%). The mean of the reported legal problems was 26%. The literature indicates that legal concepts, however operationalized, are very common among patients. The variation in measurement definitions and approaches indicates the potential difficulties for organizations seeking to address these challenges.Item The Impact of Covid-19 on Inmate Trust in Health Care and Willingness to Seek Treatment - A Qualitative Investigation(Indiana Medical Student Program for Research and Scholarship (IMPRS), 2020-12-15) Kumalo, Valarie; Nelson, Alexander; Messmore, Niki; IU School of MedicineBackground and Objective: The coronavirus has disproportionately impacted vulnerable members of society. With the U.S. as the global leader in incarceration and the difficulties prison systems face implementing many of the mitigation strategies employed by the general population, the incarcerated population is in a uniquely vulnerable position particularly within an already strained prison healthcare system. Given the nature of prisons as total institutions, negative experiences with the virus coupled with a lack of autonomy could lead to a loss of trust in the healthcare system which has the potential to impact health-seeking behaviors. In this study, we aim to examine the effect of Covid-19 on Indiana inmates’ trust in healthcare. Project Methods: Data from 380 surveys distributed across Indiana’s prison system will be collected and analyzed. These results will be used to develop an interview protocol to conduct at least 25 in-depth interviews which will then be coded using NVivo to identify any emerging themes regarding their experiences with Covid-19. Prior to this, in-depth literature reviews were done on health care in prison populations and trust in healthcare. Results: The surveys and interview protocol will be developed in the ensuing months and thus no data has yet been collected. The literature review revealed that the quality and accessibility of care in prisons is lacking, an issue exacerbated by the pandemic. Because of the disproportionate number of preexisting issues, inmates worried about the ability of prison administrators to properly protect inmates from contracting the virus. Additionally, it was found that trust likely does have an effect on health, and that many commonalities of inmates are poor predictors for trust. Potential Impact: This study aims to identify potential loss of trust in healthcare systems to inform community reentry programs in developing strategies that prioritize inmate health needs and perceptions.Item Test positivity for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis infection among a cohort of individuals released from jail in Marion County, Indiana(Wolters Kluwer, 2015-01) Wiehe, Sarah E.; Barai, Nikita; Rosenman, Marc B.; Aalsma, Matthew C.; Scanlon, Michael L.; Fortenberry, J. Dennis; Department of Pediatrics, IU School of MedicineBACKGROUND: Individuals entering jails have high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STI), but there are few data on STI in the postincarceration period. This study aimed to describe rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis infection among individuals released from Marion County (Indianapolis), Indiana jails. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of individuals incarcerated in Marion County, Indiana jails from 2003 to 2008 (n = 118,670). We linked county jail and public health data to identify individuals with positive STI test results in the 1 year after release from jail. Rates per 100,000 individuals and Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed for each STI, stratified by demographic, STI, and jail characteristics. RESULTS: We found significantly higher rates of STI in this cohort than in the general population, with rates in the 1 year after release being 2 to 7 times higher for chlamydia, 5 to 24 times higher for gonorrhea, and 19 to 32 times higher for syphilis compared with rates in the general population. Characteristics most associated with increased risk of a positive STI test result among this cohort were younger age for chlamydia and gonorrhea, older age for syphilis, black race for men, being jailed for prostitution for women, history of STI, and history of prior incarceration. CONCLUSIONS: This study found high rates of STIs among a cohort of individuals recently released from jail and identified a number of risk factors. Further study is needed to improve targeted STI testing and treatment among this high-risk population.