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Table 1 The individual, familial and community impacts of incarceration

From: Incarceration as a catalyst for worsening health

 

Mechanism

Individual, Family and/or Community Health Impacts

Prison Environment

Deprivation

• Disempowerment

• Negative and violent confrontations during and after release

Prison Code

• Inability to sustain case management

Coercion

• Severance of social support

Prison Conditions

• Poor ventilation

• Overcrowding

• Isolation

Provision of Correctional Healthcare

• Stabilizing, but can:

 ○ Lack quality

 ○ Lack access

Lack of Comprehensive Incarceration Programs and Discharge Planning

• Existing substance abuse or mental health issues can be exacerbated

• Lack of support during post-release transition

Post-Release

Continued Loss of Social Support

• Severance of social relationships

Enduring Stigma

• Disenfranchisement

• Barrier to help-seeking behavior

• Obstacle to linkage to medical and social services

• Negative psychological adjustment

• Disempowerment

Macro-Policy Level

Several Large Scale Policies that Restrict the Rights of Formerly Incarcerated Populations

• Financial insecurity

• Inability to obtain food stamps and other health benefits

• Unstable housing

• Disenfranchisement

• Disempowerment

• Cyclical Poverty

• Re-incarceration