More Than Time Served: Directly Impacted Narratives on the Lasting Health Consequences of Prison

• In Event: Lightning Talk: From Cells to Solutions: Future Research Directions through Carceral Citizen Creativity

Abstract

Incarceration accelerates physical decline, yet the long-term health consequences of confinement remain underexamined. This study analyzes five sources of journal excerpts and research dissertations by system-impacted individuals to examine the physical deterioration that occurs during incarceration, highlighting the systemic failure of prisons to provide adequate healthcare and protect the well-being of those incarcerated. Abductive analysis revealed themes of medical neglect, accelerated aging, and the lasting impact of confinement on the body. These findings challenge conventional understandings by exposing the disconnect between institutionally claimed healthcare standards and the lived realities of incarcerated individuals. They demonstrate how carceral environments disregard the humanity of those inside and perpetuate lasting physical harm. The study highlights the need for further research on how prison conditions accelerate health decline, leading to long-term consequences post-incarceration. Additionally, it explores how creative expression serves not only as testimony but also as a tool for systemic accountability. By centering the perspectives of directly impacted individuals, this research underscores the urgency of addressing the physical harm inflicted by incarceration and advocates for meaningful policy change to mitigate its long-term effects.

Author

• Eva Wadley, American University