Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “PRISONS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 757 records · Page 42Linked to original sources

Prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations among Spanish prison inmates.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyse the prevalence of HIV-1 drug-resistance mutations among HIV-1-infected prison inmates in Spain. Treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients with an HIV RNA viral load of >/=2,000 copies/ml were included. To ensure that the study population was representative of the entire HIV-infected Spanish inmate population, a two-stage conglomerate for selection of the sample was used. In the first stage, 15 prisons were randomly selected, and in the second stage, 38 patients (30 treatment-experienced and 8 treatment-naive) per centre were randomly selected. Genotyping was performed by automatic sequencing. Resistance testing was performed on viral strains from 184 inmates from 12 prisons. Valid sequences were obtained from 133 inmates (90 treatment-experienced and 43 treatment-naive inmates). Most (92.5%) were men and had acquired HIV infection by intravenous drug use (91%); their mean age was 35 years. One or more key resistance mutations were detected in 5 (11.6%) treatment-naive and in 35 (38.6%) treatment-experienced patients. Among treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients, resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors was found in 3 (6.9%) and in 20 (22.2%) patients, respectively, resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in 3 (6.9%) and in 21 (23.3%) patients, and resistance to protease inhibitors in 3 (6.9%) and in 14 (15.5%) patients. Multidrug resistance was detected in 1 of the 43 (2.3%) treatment-naive patients. These findings support the use of resistance testing in HIV-infected inmates who must begin antiretroviral therapy, given the high rate of primary resistance to drugs frequently included in the initial treatment regimens.

Adult↗

Evaluation of The Federal Bureau of Prisons protocol for selection of which hepatitis C-infected inmates are considered for treatment.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons limits hepatitis C therapy to those inmates with certain biochemical abnormalities. To evaluate this protocol, an analysis was done on data collected on hepatitis C infected inmates in the Louisiana Department of Corrections. A quality assurance database of hepatitis C infected inmates evaluated in the Louisiana Department of Corrections was reviewed for liver biopsy and laboratory results. Patients were compared as to whether they would have been biopsied under the Federal Bureau of Prisons protocol and if there were histologic differences between those who would and those who would not have been biopsied. Of 490 inmates biopsied, 26% (129) had an alanine aminotransferase level between one and two times the upper limit of normal without other biochemical abnormalities. If treating stages 2-4, 48% of these would qualify for treatment (15% if treating stages 3-4). There was no statistical difference between this group and either the group with an alanine aminotransferase level between one and two times the upper limit of normal and with other laboratory abnormalities or the group with an alanine aminotransferase level greater than or equal to two times the upper limit of normal and without other abnormalities. In the Louisiana Department of Corrections, the Federal Bureau of Prisons protocol was neither sensitive nor specific enough at identifying those that should be considered for hepatitis C therapy.

Adult↗

Anxiety in prisoners today.

Models based on modern theories of anxiety were used to develop a hypothesis concerned with the relationship of anxiety and/or the tendency to aggressive behavior and the tendency to depressive reactions in prisoners. Anxiety, aggression and depression scales were the instruments used in this study. Special emphasis was placed on the question as to whether there is a quantitative difference in anxiety and aggression in non-working as compared with working prisoners. Significant differences were found between working and non-working prisoners with regard to anxiety and depression. A difference was also calculated for the parameter of reactive aggression. In the following the far-reaching implications of these results for penological practice and perspectives for further studies are discussed.

Aggression↗

Factors related to suicide in New York state prisons.

OBJECTIVE: Examine factors related to prison suicides to aid prevention. METHOD: Review the mental health records of all 76 suicides that occurred between 1993 and 2001 in New York State Department of Correctional Services (NYSDOCS) prisons that had some contact with mental health services during their incarceration. (This represented 84% of all NYSDOCS suicides.) Extract data from the psychological autopsies for a sample of 40 of these suicides. RESULTS: Of the suicide victims with some mental health contact, 95% had a substance abuse history, 70% displayed agitation or anxiety prior to the suicide, and 48% had a behavioral change. Common stressors preceding the suicide were inmate-to-inmate conflict (50%), recent disciplinary action (42%), fear (40%), physical illness (42%), and adverse information (65%) such as loss of good time or disruption of family/friendship relationships in the community. Forty-one percent had received a mental health service within 3 days of the suicide. Compared to the about 7200 inmates actively receiving mental health services in state prison, African-Americans and patients with a Major Mood (Bi-polar or Major Depression) were under-represented. Adjustment Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Personality Disorder diagnoses were over-represented. Suicide victims were more likely to have been incarcerated for a violent crime. CONCLUSION: Mental illness, anxiety/agitation, behavior change, stressors, history of substance abuse, and non-African-American were important risk factors.

Adolescent↗

The relationship between attachment styles and Cluster B personality disorders in prisoners and forensic inpatients.

The relationship between attachment styles and Cluster B personality disorders were examined among prisoners, forensic inpatients and controls from the general population. Forensic inpatients and prisoners reported significantly less frequently the secure attachment style (Relationship Questionnaire) and significantly more the fearful attachment style compared to the normal controls. Both forensic groups could not be distinguished from each other. Further, prisoners, forensic inpatients and controls could not be differentiated on the basis of the dismissing nor the preoccupied attachment style. With respect to personality pathology, almost all relationships between Cluster C pathology, on the one hand, and attachment styles, on the other, were significant. Cluster A pathology was clearly related to the secure and fearful attachment style. With respect to cluster B pathology, the results were more specific but also less clear. The results were strongly dependent on the way the personality pathology variables were treated, as either categorical or dimensional. None of the cluster B personality pathology variables were associated with the fearful attachment style and histrionic personality pathology was negatively associated with the dismissing attachment style. Antisocial personality features were associated with a dismissing attachment style. Borderline personality pathology, when treated as a categorical variable, was significantly related to the preoccupied attachment style. These results show that (1) cluster A and cluster C pathology are more strongly associated with attachment than cluster B, (2) treating personality data as either dimensional or categorical is of major importance to the conclusions that can be drawn, (3) it is important to control for the influence of co-morbid personality pathology when examining the relationship between (Cluster B) personality pathology and attachment.

Adult↗

Kiel psychotherapy project for violent offenders Towards empirically based forensic psychotherapy -- disturbance profiles and risk of recidivism among incarcerated offenders in a German prison.

This study reports on a psychotherapy project for violent offenders. The project was established at a German prison by the Psychiatric and Psychotherapeutic Department at the University of Kiel. The overall aim of this project is to develop a scientifically based psychotherapy programme for violent offenders. As a first step the project's systematic initial diagnostic procedures are presented. These procedures are carried out when new prisoners join the project to provide an empirical basis for the planning of therapy. Data are presented for the 60 prisoners who have so far taken part. These show high prevalences for some psychiatric disorders, namely substance related disorders (33% dependency, 55% abuse), personality disorders (58% had at least one personality disorder) and psychopathy according to Hare's criteria (13%). The data also indicate that only a basal level of self-motivation existed to take part in psychotherapy (65% precontemplative). It is apparent that violent offenders constitute a heterogeneous group as far as mental disturbances are concerned. The data suggest that a psychotherapy programme for violent offenders needs to include both targeted interventions to raise motivation and, for those with substance-related and/or personality disorders, disturbance-specific interventions.

Adult↗

Sudden rise in uptake of hepatitis B vaccination among injecting drug users associated with a universal vaccine programme in prisons.

Hitherto, services have failed to deliver the UK Government's 1988 recommendation to vaccinate injecting drug users (IDUs) against hepatitis B virus (HBV). In April 1999, the Scottish Prison Service implemented an initiative to offer HBV vaccination to all inmates; we sought to determine the impact of this initiative on the IDU population. Among community-recruited IDUs (who had injected for < or =5 years) in Glasgow, vaccine uptake was significantly higher among those surveyed in 2001-2002 (52% of 387) than in 1993 (16% of 166), 1994 (19% of 138) or January-March 1999 (15% of 128); of the 2001-2002 vaccinees, 56% had been vaccinated in prison. Our results indicate that the universal offer of vaccination to all prisoners, within two years of the initiative's implementation, has had a dramatic impact on uptake among IDUs.

Adult↗

Characteristics of inmates receiving prescribed benzodiazepines in a high-security Greek prison.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the characteristics of Greek inmates that were taking regularly benzodiazepines (BZDs) at therapeutic doses, in the high-security prison of Patras, Greece. Three hundred eighty-four prisoners were included in the study. BZD users (BUs, n = 192), compared with non-BZD users (NBUs, n = 192), were significantly more often unemployed before imprisonment; were significantly more often single, divorced, or widowed; were significantly more often on remand; were taking in significantly greater proportions antidepressant and antipsychotic medications; had significantly more often a history of psychiatric hospitalization; and had significantly more often a history of illicit intravenous (IV) drug use. BUs were significantly more often positive on serum antibodies to hepatitis C (anti-HCV), and scored significantly higher on Hamilton's Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) and Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the history of psychiatric hospitalization, history of illicit drug use, history of unemployment, symptoms of anxiety, and anti-HCV positivity were independently associated with BZD use in this prison. Medical and psychiatric interventions focusing on anxiety problems, depression, drug addiction, and HCV in this group of BUs are warranted.

Adult↗

The seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus among Virginia State prisoners.

A prevalence serosurvey of adult male prisoners entering the Virginia State Prison was conducted to evaluate the epidemiology of cytomegalovirus within this population. Four hundred and forty-five (97%) of 459 male inmates provided serum for analysis and 427 completed a detailed demographic questionnaire. Sera were tested for cytomegalovirus by passive latex agglutination and 64% were reactive. Multivariate discriminant analysis showed an independent association of seropositivity with age, non-white race, and a history of gonorrhea. There was no apparent contribution from admitted homosexual contact though this may have been under-reported. There was no correlation of seropositivity with intravenous drug use or with the length or number of prior incarcerations. Prisoners possess the same correlates for cytomegalovirus seropositivity as the general adult population; past imprisonment did not independently contribute to cytomegalovirus seropositivity.

Adult↗

Incarceration and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: autopsy results in Texas prison inmates.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) houses many subjects with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who receive medical care in a comprehensive AIDS treatment center. In this case-control autopsy survey, we compared pathological outcomes of TDCJ inmates treated at the center (n = 155) with nonincarcerated patients who died during the same period (n = 155). Using multiple regression analysis and a proportional hazards model, survival time in the prisoners was equivalent to that in the controls. With few exceptions, the prevalences of opportunistic viral, fungal, protozoal, and bacterial infections contributing to mortality were equivalent between groups. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated more frequently in the inmates, and M avium intracellulare was isolated less frequently (P < .0001). The inmates had a higher prevalence of bacterial infection of the central nervous system (CNS) (9.1% v 1.4%; P < .006); half of all CNS bacterial infections were caused by M tuberculosis. Inmates had significantly lower prevalences of vacuolar myelopathy (P < .006) and severe wasting disease (P < .0009). We conclude that survival of prison inmates with AIDS treated in a comprehensive AIDS treatment center was equivalent to that of nonincarcerated subjects with AIDS. Prevalences of certain complications of AIDS differed in the inmates, showing that the prison environment influenced some of the underlying causes of AIDS morbidity and mortality.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Decreased mortality among male prisoners.

The mortality among a population of male prisoners between 1977 and 1983 was compared with that among the general French population. The overall mortality rate (for all deaths except external causes) was lower among prisoners (SMR = 84; p less than 0.05). Moreover, the risk of dying from all causes, as well as from malignant neoplasms, diseases of the circulatory system, and suicides fell significantly with increasing duration of imprisonment. These findings suggest that the lifestyle specific to imprisonment might overcome the prejudicial effect of risk factors such as alcohol, tobacco, or drug abuse that tend to be common among prisoners.

Adolescent↗

Assessing the relationship between child sexual abuse and marginal living conditions on HIV/AIDS-related risk behavior among women prisoners.

OBJECTIVE: There were two aims in this research. First, to examine the relationships between childhood sexual abuse and HIV drug and sexual risk taking behaviors among female prisoners, and second, to examine the relationship between a marginal adult living context and HIV drug and sexual risk taking behavior among female prisoners. METHOD: The data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a random sample of 500 women at admission to prison in 1994. Differences between women who were sexually abused while growing up (n = 130) were compared to women who reported no sexual abuse (n = 370) along various demographic, and HIV drug and sexual risk taking dimensions. RESULTS: A history of sexual abuse while growing up was associated with increased sexual risk taking behaviors in adulthood. A marginal adult living situation also emerged as an important factor increasing the risk for HIV infection. Examining the co-occurrence of both childhood sexual abuse and adult marginal living context revealed a strong relationship between these two factors and HIV risk taking activities. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that childhood sexual abuse may be a predictor for HIV sexual risk taking behaviors among incarcerated women. The marginal and chaotic adult living style of these women was also associated the extent of their HIV drug and sexual risk taking behaviors. Our research suggests that the co-occurrence of sexual victimization and marginality is a stronger predictor of HIV risk than each variable alone.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Cost-benefit analysis of the active screening of pulmonary tuberculosis in a recluse population entering prison].

BACKGROUND: In spanish prisons, tuberculosis is a serious problem of public health and health authorities don't take it seriously. OBJECTIVE: To prove the efficiency of pulmonary tuberculosis case-finding on arrival at prison in order to get location resources in this activity. METHODS: Cost-benefit analysis of a case-finding program compared with to wait for diagnostic to illness. The sensitivity of test was fixed in 80% and the specificity in 99.99%. The cost was based on market prices. Sensitivity analysis was done in every variables as well as tridimensional analysis in those one of more influence. RESULTS: The case-finding was efficient on prevalences of tuberculosis over 5 per mil. Its efficiency was hardly affected by discount social rates or the sensitivity of diagnostic tests. The prevalence of illness, the cost of diagnostic activities as well as the success of treatment and the specificity of diagnostic tests used had as influence on the efficiency model. The tridimensional analysis proved that the case-finding of pulmonary tuberculosis has efficiency on low prevalences (1 per thousand), provided the number of people cured is a 5% higher than the alternative one and the costs of case-finding less than 1,000 pesetas per subject. CONCLUSIONS: The case-finding pulmonary tuberculosis on arrival at prisons is of high efficiency. In a cost-opportunity situation (location of available resources, penitentiary and extrapenitentiary) the program is very efficacious taking into account the fact of higher prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in this people.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗

Cost-effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination of prison inmates.

The purpose of this paper is to determine the cost-effectiveness of vaccinating inmates against hepatitis B. From the prison perspective, vaccinating inmates at intake is not cost-saving. It could be economically beneficial when the cost of a vaccine dose is 1.6 and 50%, respectively. The health care system realizes net savings even when there is no incidence in prison, or there is no cost of chronic liver disease, or when only one dose of vaccine is administered. Thus, while prisons might not have economic incentives to implement hepatitis B vaccination programs, the health care system would benefit from allocating resources to them.

Cost Savings↗

High-risk behaviors and the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among women prisoners at the women state penitentiary in Metro Manila.

Women prisoners in the Philippines are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. The economic and social disadvantages that women endure in mainstream society are magnified once they are committed to penitentiaries where control over one's own life is even more restricted and limited. Outside prison, impoverished and uninformed about the ways of protecting their health, women have engaged in unprotected sex with their male partners, many of whom have had casual sex or extra-marital affairs. Within prison, it is therefore not surprising that over 25% of women were already infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). None were infected with HIV. The presence of STDs among female inmates highlights the importance of addressing health needs while at the correctional facility. It also raises the need for educational and prevention programs and health services that will help reduce women's vulnerability to HIV, AIDS and STDs.

Adult↗

[Hepatitis B virus markers, beta 2 microglobulin and anti HTLV in a population of blood donors from a prison environment].

212 male prisoners were collected at the prison in March 1983. Anti-HBc and HBs Ag were detected by a combined test (AUSRIA-CORE, Abbott Laboratories). 67 sera (31,5%) were anti-HBc positive, 7 of them HBs Ag positive. Screening for anti-HTLV (anti-p24) was negative for all the donors. Beta 2 microglobulin levels were determined on 115 sera (B2-micro RIA 100, Pharmacia Laboratories). 8 had levels above 2,6 mg/l (greater than 2 SD). These 8 sera were anti-HBc positive and one of them HBs Ag positive 3 HBs Ag positive donors had non elevated Beta 2 microglobulin levels. This survey confirms that prisoners as blood donors should be regarded as carrying a high risk of transmission of HBV and probably other infectious agents with similar epidemiology. The signification of elevated Beta 2 microglobulin levels deserves further investigations since this determination could be of value as an additive test to increase the safety of blood products.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Psychoactive substance abuse among inmates of a Nigerian prison population.

The objectives of the study were: (1) to assess the prevalence rate of psychoactive substance use and dependence among inmates of a Nigerian prison population within the past month; (2) to highlight how aware these prisoners were, of the various drugs of abuse; (3) to compare the findings with those of reports from abroad, and general Nigerian population samples. In mid-1995, 395 subjects (97.5% males, mean age 30.5 years) were interviewed, with a questionnaire that contained DSM-III-R criteria for dependence. About two-thirds were those on remand or awaiting trial, and the majority (70%) were accused of theft and armed robbery. Compared with Nigerian general population samples, the cohort had much higher prevalence rates of awareness and life-time use of psychoactive substances. Cannabis was the only drug regularly abused in the past month, by 26 (6.6%) subjects (all males); out of whom 11 (42.3%) satisfied DSM-III-R criteria for dependence. Use of intravenous drugs was not evident. This pattern differed markedly from the situation in industrialised countries. Cannabis abuse was significantly associated with those in prison for less than six months and on a charge of theft/armed robbery.

Adult↗

A mathematical model of HIV transmission in NSW prisons.

A mathematical model was developed to estimate HIV incidence in NSW prisons. Data included: duration of imprisonment; number of inmates using each needle; lower and higher number of shared injections per IDU per week; proportion of IDUs using bleach; efficacy of bleach; HIV prevalence and probability of infection. HIV prevalence in IDUs in prison was estimated to have risen from 0.8 to 6.7% (12.2%) over 180 weeks when using lower (and higher) values for frequency of shared injections. The estimated minimum (and maximum) number of IDU inmates, infected with HIV in NSW prisons was 38 (and 152) in 1993 according to the model. These figures require confirmation by seroincidence studies.

Databases, Factual↗