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PubMedDate not supplied

[Trends in mortality in a Spanish prison from 1994-2004].

BACKGROUND: [corrected] Few works have focused on studying mortaty in prisons. The objective here is to study the causes and incidences of mortality in a Spanish prison. METHODS: Descriptive study of the deaths in a prison between 01-01-1994 and 31-12-2004. The following variables were recorded: sex, date of death, HIV serology, number of CD4+ where relevant, and cause of death according to the following classification: death by HIV, by non-HIV disease, suicide, drug overdose and accidents. After indirect standardisation of incidence, we compared mortality in the Centre with the other Spanish prisons. We established mortaality rate tendencies by a linear regression model. RESULTS: 42 deaths, 41 men, 1 woman. Median age 33.10 years (27.72-36.12; IQR: 8.40). 30 (71.4%) HIV+, with a median of 177 CD4+ lymphocytes/microl. Twenty patients (45.24%) died from HIV, 15 (38.10%) from non-HIV diseases, 3 (7.14%) from suicide, 3 (7.14%) from drug overdose and 1 (2.38%) accidentally. Crude mortality rates corresponded to 12.605% per hundred of inmates/year in 1997 and 1.758%, inmates/year in 2003, with a decreasing trend of 0.976 deaths % per hundred, inmates/year (CI 95%: 0.399-1.552; p = 0.004). After standardising rates, we obtain 28.6 expected deaths daring the period, with an SMR of 1.4679. CONCLUSIONS: Although it follows a decreasing trend, the mortality rate obtained during the study period was higher than expected. The main cause of mortality was acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Accidents↗
PubMed2000

[Assessment of custodial suicide risk--jail and prison suicides in Austria 1975-1996].

OBJECTIVE: Although incarceration is a high-risk situation for suicide all over the world, hardly any results have been published concerning the situation of custodial suicide in German-speaking countries. METHODS: We investigated the case notes of all suicides occuring in Austrian prisons between 1975 and 1996 (n= 207). Beside an evaluation of gender and preferred methods of suicide the suicide risk of different circumstances of custody was studied. Suicide rates of distinguishable, important subgroups of prisoners were calculated using the official statistical data of the Ministry of Justice. RESULTS: The suicide rate for people on remand and offenders classified as mentally ill was 231/100,000 vs. 191/100,000, that was about eight times higher than the suicide rate in Austria's general population. The suicide rate for sentenced offenders was 80/100,000, about three times as high as the suicide rate in Austria's general population (1980-1990: 26.4/100,000). The suicide risk increased with the length of the announced sentence. CONCLUSIONS: The suicide rate in custody was highest for prisoners on remand and mentally ill offenders. Female offenders had a high suicide risk, too. The common assumption that the suicide risk in jails and prisons is highest shortly after admission should be confirmed based on better methodology or be reconsidered.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

[Serologic study on the prevalence of HIV, HBV infection and on the false positive reaction of VDRL at a prison].

Prisoners are considered to be a high risk population for HIV and HBV infection. Aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HIV, HBV infection and of the VDRL false positivity by performing screening tests in 496 prisoners of Monza in 1987. About a third of prisoners was HIV infected (with a high prevalence in drug addicts) and about a half had a contact with HBV virus. We observed a very common association between HIV and HBV infections. About ten per cent of HIV infected presented a false positivity for VDRL while one per cent of not infected did. Our data show that in Italian prison HIV and HBV infections are spreadly diffused. False positivity for VDRL may be due not only to drug addiction but also to the immunological variations connected with AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Prison adjustment of youthful inmates with mental retardation.

Adaptation of young inmates with and without mental retardation to prison regime was examined. The mean number of disciplinary reports received across five categories of infractions were compared. Differences were evaluated with one-way analysis of variance and follow-up tests. Results indicated that (a) youthful mentally retarded and nonretarded prison inmates did not adjust to incarceration in a similar manner and (b) behavior in prison was significantly different across certain measures by group. Inmates with mental retardation demonstrated poor overall adjustment in prison.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1974

[Report and considerations on group psychotherapy in a prison[].

Psychiatric group psychotherapy in a prison presumes that the professional secret be guarded by the therapist. The direction of the institution should concede to such therapy all privileges that are usually given to other medical assistance in a prison. The present paper reports about first experiences made in a prison under such favourable conditions. The aim of such therapy is mainly the expectation to reduce the danger of regression of the participants and to promote their capacities in the field of interpersonal relations and other group activities both in prison and after discharge.

Confidentiality↗
PubMed1983

[Epidemiology of pulmonary tuberculosis in the prison environment].

Despite the decline in pulmonary tuberculosis in industrial countries since the beginning of the century, screening remains important, particularly in population groups at special risk such as jail inmates. A 1-year prospective study in 865 prisoners in Geneva shows that the prevalence of active and residual tuberculosis is five to ten times higher than in the general population. The reasons for this high prevalence are low socio-economic status and lack of a regular job or fixed residence for many prisoners. These facts illustrate the importance of introducing systematic diagnosis and, if necessary, rapid therapeutic measures in jails, with the triple purpose of contributing to the fight against tuberculosis among prisoners, prison staff and the population as a whole.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Youth in crisis: dimensions of self-destructive conduct among adolescent prisoners.

Self-mutilation and attempted suidcide among adolescent prisoners are explored in relation to concrete coping tests posed in prison and to self-esteem problems posed by failure of external (family) and internal (peer) support systems. Crisis sequences are traced using verbatim excerpts from interviews with self-destructive prisoners and conceptualized in terms of enduring adolescent needs and concerns. Some general observations regarding strategies of intervention with crisisprone prisoners are included.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Notes on some self-induced diseases in prison communities].

The self-induced and simulated diseases in prison communities are numerous and not always easy to detect. This is, at any rate, a peculiar phenomenon that also involves other closed communities external to the prison environment, such as those of the large built-up areas, of the factories, of the schools, of the barracks, etc... As a rule, recourse is had, in the latter, to self-induction and simulation to achieve economic or absenteeistic purposes. In prison communities, self-induction and simulation are instead implemented in order to escape the rigours of the law and detention itself. It is an unquestionable fact, however, that nowadays this phenomenon is regressing, chiefly thanks to the coming into force of law No. 354 of July 26, 1975 on the penitentiary System, that is certainly determining radical improvements within the prisons.

Conjunctivitis↗
PubMed1995

Hepatitis C virus in prisoners.

The purpose of this study was to assess the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in prisoners and outpatients attending our center. 2205 specimens were consecutively obtained under code and screened for anti-HCV by the second generation RIBA test and Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) by CORAB test. After serum samples were tested, we reviewed demographic data and categorized four groups: Intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs), prisoners and apparently healthy subjects and warders. Anti-HCV prevalence was 59.4% in 613 IVDAs, 15.5% in 756 prisoners, 2.6% in 454 healthy subjects and 2.8% in 145 warders. These findings suggest that prisoners may be considered a group at increased risk for HCV infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) in the central prison of Niamey (Niger)].

A study on seroprevalency among six hundred and sixty prisoners incarcerated at the central prison of Niamey (Niger) where toxicomania by intravenous injection is inexistant but homosexual probability does exist, the prison being a very closed circle, showed that 0.45% of the prisoners where carrying the anti body anti-HIV. This rate being about the same found in the general population 0.50%.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The adaptation to prison by individuals with schizophrenia.

This report documents the adjustment to prison life by individuals with schizophrenia and compares their adaptation with a control group with no known mental illness matched for age, race, sex, most serious crime, and security level. On all outcome variables, number of infractions, number of "lock-ups", days in "lock-up," ability to obtain a job in prison, and ability to obtain release from prison, the group with schizophrenia was inferior to the control group. That inmates with schizophrenia may require special assistance in prison and the need for future investigation are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1993

Voluntary total fasting in political prisoners--clinical and biochemical observations.

Thirty-three political prisoners on hunger strike (voluntary total fast--VTF) for 6-24 days were admitted to two hospitals in Johannesburg in 1989. They had been detained without trial for 4-32 months. Sound doctor-patient relationships were established by emphasis of the principle of full patient participation in clinical decision-making at every level, by rejection of police interference in patient care, and by refusal to discharge subjects back into detention. Depression and abdominal pains were the predominant symptoms. In 6 lean subjects with complete data the expected initial period of rapid weight loss was not observed. Before hospitalisation most subjects became dehydrated from inadequate fluid intake and an apparent absence of thirst. Serum creatinine concentrations were a better indication of dehydration than serum urea levels. Mild hyponatraemia was found in one-third of patients. Refeeding after 6-27 days of VTF was initiated with a dilute lactose-free formula diet, and was uncomplicated. Close clinical monitoring of subjects during VTF is essential, and it is recommended that prisoners should be admitted to hospital at 10% of weight loss, if not before. The health care of prisoners can best be provided by professionals independent of the police and prison services.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Computing marginal expectations for large compartmentalized models with application to AIDS evolution in a prison system.

The customary models for the AIDS epidemic are compartmentalized according to criteria such as risk factors, sexual habits, gender, race, age, and HIV status and stage. Hitherto, with very few exceptions, investigators have resorted to deterministic approximations or to simulation for the computational investigation of such models, which do not yield to purely analytic methods. The present paper describes a numerical technique, not dependent on Monte Carlo simulations, for such compartmentalized Markov population processes. Analytic error bounds and computational evidence suggest that this technique is quite accurate. The study is motivated and illustrated by a model for a prison system, with ten interrelated prisons, twenty compartments, and thousands of individuals. This model is of increasing interest in itself because the HIV/AIDS epidemic is particularly virulent among prison populations, where the environment offers special opportunities to investigate various prevention and educational programmes quantitatively. Our computational techniques are shown to be effective for the analysis of such a prison system, even though the resulting Markov process is an order of magnitude more complicated than other stochastic epidemic models currently being investigated. The modelling approach and numerical device appear to be applicable to a wide variety of population processes involving migration between population patches.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1997

Molecular analysis of HTLV-I and HTLV-II isolates from Italian blood donors, intravenous drug users and prisoners.

Using molecular methods three or five major variants of HTLV-I have been identified; moreover two subtypes of HTLV-II defined as HTLV-IIa and HTLV-IIb with six variants within each of these groups have been described. In the present study we analysed proviral DNA obtained from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of a significant group of Italian intravenous drug users (IVDUs), prison inmates and blood donors (BDs) who were HTLV antibody positive. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of amplified LTR region with ApaI, NdeI, DraI, SacI and MaeIII endonucleases was used to define the HTLV-I subtypes, while the different variants of HTLV-IIa and -IIb were defined by RFLP of the LTR region with the AvaII, BglI, SauI, XhoI and BanII endonucleases. The four HTLV-I isolated from BDs were characterized as C type. All the 11 HTLV-II detected in the IVDUs were HTLV-IIb4, while among the prisoners one HTLV-IIb5 and five HTLV-IIb4 were found. Interestingly, in the BDs group two HTLV-IIa0 and one HTLV-IIb4 were detected. It should also be noted that 82% of the IVDUs and 50% of the prisoners were coinfected with HIV, while all the BDs were HIV negative. These data indicate that HTLV-IIb4 is the predominant genotype in Italian IVDUs and prisoners, while the significant variability observed in the BD HTLV-II isolates could be due to the different source of infection among this group.

Blood Donors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of tuberculin skin test reactions among prison workers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of positive tuberculin skin test (TST) reactions (10 mm or greater) among full-time employees of a provincial prison for women in Montreal. METHODS: Participants underwent tuberculin skin testing and completed a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Among 129 employees identified, 118 (91%) underwent tuberculin testing. Among 102 born in Quebec who completed the questionnaire, 33 (32%) had positive TST reactions, including 12 (23%) of 52 subjects who had never been vaccinated. Positive TST reactions were significantly associated in multivariate analysis with BCG vaccination after infancy (OR = 4.5, 95% CI = 1.5-13.5), years of work at other provincial prisons (OR = 2.5 for each 5 years of work, 95% CI = 1.2-5.2), travel to tuberculosis endemic countries (OR = 7.7, 95% CI = 1.4-43), although not with work in the prison for women (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.9-1.9) CONCLUSION: The prevalence of positive TST reactions was greater among workers at a provincial prison for women than among a sample of students, suggesting increased occupational risk of tuberculosis infection.

BCG Vaccine↗
PubMed1997

Anatomy of a prison commission.

Although the epidemiology of mental disorders in the prison system has been investigated in the past, delivery of health services to prison inmates has not received similar scrutiny. Members of a state prison commission describe the process by which they developed their assessment of health care delivery. A model is offered for defining such a mission, selecting standards against which to test prison health services, choosing a testable focus, refining a valid and reliable methodology, and piloting the result.

Criminal Law↗
PubMed1997

Smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis in a prison setting: experience in the penal camp of Bouaké, Ivory Coast.

SETTING: Bouaké prison camp, Ivory Coast. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical, radiographic and therapeutic characteristics of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in the prison camp of Bouaké. METHODS: The study included 108 cases of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis who had never been treated previously. Triple chemotherapy of 6 months' duration was recommended for all of the patients. RESULTS: The incidence of smear positive tuberculosis in the prison population under study was very high (5.8%). In the majority of cases tuberculosis infection is associated with other conditions: here they were malnutrition (75%), anaemia (70%) and dermatoses (64%). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was observed in 30% of the cases, and alcohol and tobacco dependence in 50%. Radiographic lesions were extensive in 70% of the cases. The 6-month treatment regimen is still effective: 80 of the 108 (74.1%) were cured, i.e. 97.6% of those who completed their treatment. The death rate, however, was alarming at 24% (one patient in four). The main reason for incarceration was theft (73%). CONCLUSION: Other epidemiological studies are needed urgently in order to pin-point those factors that favour the progression from tuberculous infection to disease in this very specific setting, and to improve socio-sanitary conditions for prison inmates.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1998

[Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections in a prison population in the years 1989 to 1995].

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to know the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a penitentiary center, the risk factors and the prevention measures to reduce this infection. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 1,173 men from a penitentiary center between 1989-1995 were included. Demographic data, risk factors and penitentiary variables were studied. Antibodies against HIV were found and confirmed using Western blot; tuberculin skin reaction (PPD) and CD4 lymphocyte cant were studied. RESULTS: The mean age was 31.8 (SD 8.8 years). They were 61.5% Spanish people and 48.1% were in prison for second time. The 49.7% used illegal drugs. Overall prevalence of HIV-1 infection was 24.3%. The differences of percentages for HIV-1 infection in intravenous drug users (IVDU) were 67.7% and in non IVDU were 3.8% with a significant statistical difference (chi 2 = 557.5; p < 0.0001). Using a multivariate test (stepwise method) we found that the probability to be HIV-1 positive in a penitentiary center was 21.9 times higher in IVDU, 5.6 times in Spanish prisoners, 2.6 times in subjects with more than one prison stay and 1.7 times if they had tatoos. The global prevalence of tuberculosis infection (PPD positive) was a 43.8%, and was associated to the second time inmates in this penitentiary center (chi 2 = 22.1; p < 0.001). A 54.4% of HIV-1 positive people showed a CD4 T lymphocyte count > or = 500 x 10(6)/l. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high prevalence of HIV-1 and tuberculosis infection and drug use in this penitentiary center. HIV-1 was transmitted and related by sharing syringes between IVDU independent of the stay in prison. The diagnosis of HIV-1 infection was made soon. The treatments of drug users in penitentiary centers and programs for lowering the risk are very important.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗