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PubMed2001

Developing effective palliative care within a prison setting.

A joint report by the UK prison service and the National Health Service (Department of Health (DoH), 1999) suggested that a 'formal partnership' between the two organizations would enhance the health care of people in prison. Through such a partnership it is hoped that prisoners will be able to receive the same level of care as those who are treated within the wider community. Nurses attempting to achieve the goals of palliative care within a prison setting may encounter environmental constraints to their work and may be further deterred by their own lack of specialist knowledge. This article discusses how such problems can be overcome through the professional development of prison nurses.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1985

Eating more and enjoying it less: U.S. prison diets for women.

A study of weight gain and dietary adequacy among female prisoners was conducted by studying inmate weight changes, nutritional values of prison diets and consumption patterns in a jail cafeteria. Inmates were found to incur significant weight gains (Mean = 14 lbs.); their diets were inadequate nutritively, and were consumed in such a way as to exacerbate the inadequacies. The authors conclude that some of these problems could be ameliorated by changing ingredients, preparation, and the role of food in the prisoner's life, although for certain categories of prisoners with specific health conditions (e.g., pregnancy), adequate diets will require major adjustments in jail and prison food management.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

In the slammer: the myth of the prison in American gay pornographic video.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the significance of the prison scenario and its various permutations in the texts of American commercial pornographic video. The paper will identify the prison as a highly eroticised all male environment, an arena where the active/passive dichotomy of gay pornography is staged and re-staged. The significances of the prison are multiple. The prison draws on a gay mythology of homosexual desire that has its origins in sources as diverse as the literature of the Marquis de Sade and Jean Genet and the erotic illustrations of Tom of Finland and Etienne. Prison scenarios take many shapes in gay pornography such as the American penitentiary, the military brig, and the fantasised dungeon of the leatherman. I see these scenarios as performing an important function within gay porn by offering idealised spaces for the acts of pornography: voyeurism, narcissistic display and active/ passive role-play.

Erotica↗
PubMed1985

Hepatitis B in Wisconsin male prisoners: considerations for serologic screening and vaccination.

To develop a protocol for prevention of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission in Wisconsin prisons, we interviewed 619 male prisoners at incarceration to obtain information on hepatitis B risk factors. We defined previous infections by the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), or antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Logistic regression was used to develop a model of relative risk (RR) of HBV infection. Use of illicit intravenous (IV) drugs was the most important risk factor because of a high prevalence of IV drug use and an RR which ranged from 2.93-7.47. Other important risk factors were: prior hepatitis or jaundice (RR = 6.28), race (RR = 2.54 for Blacks, RR = 3.28 for Latinos), transfusion (RR = 3.00), and age. Previous imprisonment was not an independent risk factor for HBV, hence selective serologic screening and vaccination of prisoners are justified rather than mass screening and vaccination. Based upon prevalence of hepatitis B markers in subgroups, it is necessary to screen prisoners with prior hepatitis or jaundice, prior transfusion, and users of IV drugs. The identification of HBsAg carriers by such screening could prevent infection of "household" contacts. Users of IV drugs who are susceptible to HBV infection should be vaccinated. The remaining prisoners constitute a low-risk group for HBV infection and do not require serologic screening or vaccination.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Polydrug use and self control among men and women in prisons.

This article describes research conducted to examine the patterns of alcohol and drug use and self concepts of incarcerated adult offenders in relation to age, gender, and ethnicity in a western state. The purpose of this research was to estimate the extent and variety of alcohol and drug use in the prison population and design a data collection instrument. Individual interviews with every newly admitted sentenced felon (N = 157 men and 39 women) were conducted. Inmates reported nearly universal alcohol use and marijuana use and extensive use of cocaine, crack, heroin, crystal methamphetamine (ice) and using various other schedule drugs, usually in combination with alcohol and other drugs. The problem for the interviewers was not how to elicit admissions of drug use but how to categorize the large number of combinations. Polydrug use, often in combination with alcohol, is the rule, not the exception. Starting, switching and quitting, and combining or substituting drugs is reported by the vast majority of inmates. While patterns varied, it was difficult to discern a special class of drug addicts among the inmates. Our findings suggest that large percentages of prison inmates are frequent substance abusers, perceive problems from use, but are often not interested in drug treatment in prison. Many inmates who by their own reports seem appropriate for alcohol or drug treatment do not seek treatment. This is not influenced by the extent of drug use or experience with previous treatment. Female prisoners seem to be more often and more extensively involved in addicting drugs than male prisoners. This is particularly problematic because there are very few specialized treatment or training programs for women offenders. Since drug use is very widespread, urine monitoring is increasing and continued criminalization of all drugs except alcohol enjoys wide support, correctional agencies must search to develop effective and affordable strategies for dealing with drug use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Self-esteem of prisoners committing directly versus indirectly destructive crimes.

62 prisoners from a county jail and a state forensic hospital, having committed 12 types of crimes, were administered the Coopersmith Self-esteem Questionnaire and a biographical form. Self-esteem scores were compared across three classifications of destructiveness of criminal acts. A significant difference was found between self-esteem scores for those prisoners who were indirectly destructive to others and those prisoners who were directly destructive to others or to themselves. Also, prisoners who were on work release and/or in psychology classes tended to have higher self-esteem. No causality was inferred between the instruction in psychology and work-release programs and higher levels of prisoners' self-esteem.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Prisoners and locus of control: initial assessments of a specific scale.

The relatively few studies conducted with prisoners' locus of control suggest an important relationship between locus of control and prisoners' adjustment. However, one obstacle to further development of this knowledge is lack of appropriate measurement. This paper is an account of initial assessments conducted with a locus of control measure specific to the prison environment. All tests support the reliability and validity of the scale. Results of the assessments also indicate changes which should be made to improve the psychometric properties of the scale. Further assessments will need to be conducted after the instrument is revised. Use of the Prison Locus of Control scale should facilitate and lend accuracy to research with prisoners. The scale items are provided.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1984

Hepatitis B serum markers and oral health in a group of Norwegian male prisoners.

In 138 male Norwegian prisoners the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) serum markers was 30.4% and closely related to their drug abuse. The highest frequency of the markers (82.8%) was found in young drug addicts admitting intravenous abuse and the lowest (14.3%) in prisoners denying such abuse. For comparison, the frequency of HBV serum markers in the general male population in Norway is about 4.1%. In young prisoners (less than 30 years), DMF teeth, percentage of gingival bleeding, and percentage of periodontal pockets greater than 4 mm were on an average 18.8, 38.2%, and 7.0%, respectively. These corresponding figures in the older age group (greater than 30 years) were 21.7, 38.5%, and 15.2%. These findings indicate a dental health status somewhere between that of the general population and disadvantaged groups in Norway previously surveyed. Other oral pathological conditions were present in more than one third of the prisoners, but mucosal lesions and disorders of psychosomatic origin did not extend normal ranges. No characteristic lesions attributable to drug abuse were observed. Dental care was given a low priority by the prisoners. Emergency procedures had been the treatment of choice at infrequent, irregular visits to the dentist, leading to enhanced risk of bleeding and of HBV transmission.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A prison-based alcohol use education program: evaluation of a pilot study.

Northern Territory prisoners were followed up after release to determine the effect of an alcohol education course on their alcohol consumption, drinking group, disruptive behavior, criminal activity, family relationships, how they use their time, general health, ability to cope and take responsibility. Measures were obtained both from prisoners and key informants, and two groups of prisoners were compared: those who completed the course and others who had not done the course. A high level of correspondence was found between measures from key informants and prisoners. The prisoners attending the course showed significant improvements on all dimensions when compared to the control subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Rifampin- and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Russian civilians and prison inmates: dominance of the beijing strain family.

Consecutive patient cultures (140) of Mycobacteriium tuberculosis were collected from five Russian civilian and prison tuberculosis laboratories and analyzed for rifampin (rpoB) and isoniazid resistance (inhA, katG, ahpC); transmission of Beijing family isolates; and the importance of prison and previous therapy in drug resistance. Rifampin, isoniazid, and multidrug resistance occurred in 58.2%, 51.6%, and 44.7% of cultures, respectively; 80% of prison cultures were rifampin resistant. Spoligotyping and variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) fingerprinting divided the isolates into 43 groups. Spoligotyping demonstrated that a high proportion (68.1%) of patients were infected with Beijing family strains and that most (69.1%) were rifampin resistant; the highest proportion (81.6%) occurred in prison. One VNTR subgroup (42435) comprised 68 (72.3%) of the Beijing isolates with a small number of IS6110 types; 50 (73.5%) were rifampin resistant. Rifampin-resistant Beijing isolates are dominant within the patient population, especially among prisoners, and threaten treatment programs.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed2005

Relationship between cooperation in an iterated prisoner's dilemma game and the discounting of hypothetical outcomes.

A number of authors have proposed that preference for a larger, delayed reward in delay discounting is similar to cooperation in a repeated prisoner's dilemma game versus tit-for-tat. This proposal was examined by correlating delay-discounting (Experiment 1) and probability-discounting (Experiment 2) rates for hypothetical monetary gains and losses with performance in a repeated prisoner's dilemma game. Correlations between rate of delay discounting (discounting parameters and area under the curve) and proportion of cooperation in the repeated prisoner's dilemma game versus tit-for-tat were significant across three magnitudes, and correlations were generally higher with discounting for losses than with that for gains. As was expected, correlations between rate of delay discounting and performance versus a random strategy in the prisoner's dilemma game were not significant. Correlations between rate of probability-discounting and cooperation rate in a repeated prisoner's dilemma game versus neither a tit-for-tat nor a random strategy were significant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Psychoactive substance use among newly incarcerated prison inmates].

The objective of this study was to describe the population of incoming prisoners in Lyon's prisons and to estimate the proportion of those who are drug users in order to adapt the psychological care which is made available at the time of entrance. During the entrance interview briefing session, a questionnaire was given to each new adult male inmate between January 1st and December 31st 2003. The mean age of new prisoners was 31 years old: 68.5% did not have regular employment in the last 12 months prior to their incarceration, and 52.8% had already been previously imprisoned. More than 64.0% of inmates declared either a regular use, an abusive use or dependence on tobacco, 16.5% on cannabis, 16.1% on alcohol, 2.5% on psychotropic medication, and 4.1% on other drugs (heroine, cocaine, or synthetic drugs). Moreover, 42.0% of drug users declared either a regular use, abusive consumption or dependence on at least two psycho active substances. These results confirm the need for effective screening for drug use upon entry into prison as a means of ensuring that appropriate psychological and/or psychiatric care of drug users, which is suitably adapted to the prison environment, can be provided.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Childhood trauma, psychiatric disorders, and criminal behavior in prisoners in Germany: a comparative study in incarcerated women and men.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies indicate high rates of childhood trauma experiences as well as of mental disorders among prisoners. In this study, we investigate (1) the prevalence of different kinds of early traumatic experiences in female and male incarcerated prisoners, (2) their associations with mental disorders, and (3) their associations with characteristics of criminal behaviors. METHOD: The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM-IV Axis I and II Disorders, and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (current psychopathology) were administered, and the subjects' criminal and arrest histories were obtained. All assessments were performed between May 1, 2002, and June 1, 2003. RESULTS: Comparable sample groups of 63 incarcerated women and 76 men participated. Apart from low rates of short stay prisoners and foreign nationals, the sample was comparable with all prisoners in North-Rhine Westfalia (largest state in Germany). A history of at least 1 type of moderate or severe childhood trauma was reported by 50.4% of the prisoners. In 86.3%, >/= 1 lifetime Axis I disorder was found (current, 83.5%), and a high mean number of comorbid diagnoses was found (mean +/- SD lifetime = 3.6 +/- 3.3, current = 2.9 +/- 2.7). In 53.2% of the sample, at least 1 Axis II (personality) disorder was diagnosed. The numbers of comorbid Axis I lifetime and current disorders as well as the number of lifetime Axis II disorders were significantly (p < .001) associated with the severity of childhood trauma history, indicating a dose-response relationship. Negative associations were observed between the severity of childhood trauma and age at first offense. CONCLUSION: Severity of childhood trauma experiences is associated with the presence and number of Axis I and Axis II mental disorders and may play a crucial role in the development of these disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Prevalence of hepatitis A, B, C virus markers in Réunion (south hospital and Saint Pierre prison)].

We studied the prevalence of Hepatitis A, B, C in different groups in the population of the South of Reunion Island. The aims of this study were the following: to estimate the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) (anti-HCV antibodies) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) (anti-HBc, HBs Ag and anti-HBs) in a population of 1455 women, who delivered in the Centre hospitalier Sud Reunion (CHSR), to estimate the prevalence of these two viruses in a population selected for risk factors (100 prisoners), to estimate the prevalence of Hepatitis A in a group of 400 persons (aged 0 to 19) hospitalised in CHSR since 1st January 1998 (100 for each 5-year age bracket), to research risks factors in these populations and immunity. The overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 0.14% in pregnant women and risk factor associated was found in 28.9% of this population (2.9% history of transfusion, 0.21% drug users). In the group of prisoners seroprevalence was 2%, far below that of prisoners in France. Anti-HCV seroprevalence is weak in Reunion Island and very inferior to seroprevalence in the French population as in other Indian Ocean islands. This is due to the low risk of parenteral transmission. Anti-HBc was found in 90 serum samples from women (overall prevalence 6.35%) and of these 90 positive samples, 9 were positive for HBs Ag (overall prevalence 0.63%), 68 were positive for anti-HBs (4.81%) and 22 (1.54%) were anti-HBc isolated (without HBs Ag and anti-HBs). The overall prevalence of anti-HBs was 62.8%. In the population of 100 prisoners, 2 were HBs Ag positive, 10 anti-HBc positive (2 anti-HBc isolated, 2 associated with HBs Ag, 6 with anti-HBs). The prevalence of anti-HBs was 22%. The major risk factor observed in this population of prisoners was tattooing and/or piercing (46%). These results show that: Reunion island is an area of low endemicity for HBV virus. The measure of protective inoculation is well followed. i.v. drug abuse and previous transfusion are weak routes of transmission. In the group aged 0 to 19, overall prevalence of anti-HAV was 11.9% with the highest rate found among 15 to 19 year-olds (25%). Seroprevalence falls with socio-economic progress. At the present time, the endemic is intermediate in Reunion Island. Given immunity levels within the young population, there is a risk of outbreak. This risk is due to the conditions in Reunion Island, but also to people who travel to other Indian Ocean countries where endemicity is high. It is thus very important that a vaccination strategy be determined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Screening for psychiatric disorders among prison inmates].

BACKGROUND: Prison inmates have high frequencies of psychiatric disorders. Most prisons have little health-personnel resources, and methods to help focus resources towards those with serious health-care needs would be useful. The Global Symptom Index (GSI) of the Symptom Check List-90 (SCL-90) has performed well in other populations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prisoners at Kristiansand County Prison, Norway were asked to participate in the study, and 187 of 206 (91%) consented. All filled in the SCL-90 during the first four days of incarceration, and were examined clinically by a psychiatrist. RESULTS: Clinical examination revealed 40 persons with psychiatric disorder. Of these, 37 had a GSI score > or = 1. There were three false negatives and two false positives. Based on various cut-off levels for the GSI, we found a GSI cut-off value at 1.5 to perform best with sensitivity = 0.78, specificity = 0.87, and Number Needed to Diagnose = 1.55. INTERPRETATION: SCL-90 performs well as a screening instrument for psychiatric disorders among prison inmates.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

Comparison between self-reported hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV antibody status and oral fluid assay results in Irish prisoners.

Self-reported hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV infection status was compared with the results of oral fluid assays of antibodies to these viruses in prisoners from nine of the 15 prisons in the Republic of Ireland. A total of 1205 out of 1366 prisoners completed a confidential questionnaire and 1193 provided analysable oral fluid specimens for testing for antibodies to HBV core antigen (anti-HBc), HCV (anti-HCV), and HIV (anti-HIV). The self-reported prevalence of hepatitis infection (hepatitis B: 5%; hepatitis C: 19%) was lower than that derived from oral fluid assays (anti-HBc: 9%; anti-HCV: 37%). The self-reported prevalence of HIV infection was similar to that found by oral fluid assay (2%). Many discrepancies were found between self-reported results and the results of oral fluid assays. Of those who reported being positive for HBV, HCV, or HIV, 48%, 5%, and 58%, respectively, tested negative on the oral fluid assay. Of those who reported a previous negative test result for HBV, HCV, or HIV, 10%, 37%, and 2%, respectively, had positive oral fluid assays. Self-reports of hepatitis and HIV infection status are unreliable and should not be used as a basis for planning preventive and treatment services for prisoners. All prisoners should have the opportunity to be tested for HBV, HCV, and HIV infection.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed2001

An investigation of the potential risk of an HAV outbreak in a prison population following the introduction of cases from a community outbreak.

Increasing Hepatitis A (HAV) infection has been reported in communities in which there is a high level of intravenous drug use. Several cases were identified in a local prison and since the risk of transmission within the prison was felt to be high, it was decided to determine the prevalence of HAV antibodies in the prison population and therefore the number of susceptible inmates. Oral fluid was collected from 269 prisoners for testing for antibodies to HAV. Both IgM and IgG anti-HAV were assessed so that the percentage susceptible and the number recently infected could be ascertained. Eight inmates had evidence of a recent infection. Of the remaining 261, only 56 (21%) were immune to HAV. Therefore vaccination against HAV in addition to HBV should be considered for intravenous drug users and for prisoners remanded from a community where infection is known to be occurring.

Adult↗