Health Implications for Communities of the Increased Number of Incarcerated Women Returning Home: To What Extent do Community Boards of Health Plan for This?

• In Event: Public Health, Treatment, and Prisoner Reentry

Abstract

The War on Drugs greatly increased the number of women incarcerated for drug-related offenses. Incarcerated women have high rates of chronic and infectious diseases; higher than in the general population. Since prison is not a particularly healthy environment, health problems often worsen rather than improve during incarceration. Some correctional facilities have particularly high concentrations of female inmates with poor health, including communicable illnesses. This can contribute to healthy women becoming sick due to exposure behind bars. Since most incarcerated women eventually leave prison, they return to their home communities and bring any health problems with them. This could contribute to a decline in a community’s overall health. However, preliminary data gathered by the investigator suggest that county health officials do not plan for health-related occurrences stemming from prisoner reentry, as they do for other adverse health events (e.g., mosquitos spreading the Zika virus). This presentation examines the extent to which county and municipality boards of health plan for offender reintegration generally, and that of women offenders specifically. The future of healthcare for women offenders in light of the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act – which includes specific provisions for formerly incarcerated individuals – under President Trump is considered.

Author

• Connie Hassett-Walker, Kean University