NCJ Number
137165
Journal
Journal of Prison and Jail Health Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: (Winter 1991) Pages: 133-151
Date Published
1991
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Unlike previous studies on the health status of inmates, this investigation examined the change in health status of Federal inmates from admission through release; it also analyzed the appropriateness of medical care given to inmates during their incarceration.
Abstract
Medical data were collected on a sample of Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmates who were scheduled for release between October 23 and November 3, 1989. Intake and release physicals and interim diagnoses were reviewed by a medical consultant who coded whether the inmate's health status stayed the same, improved, worsened, or was indeterminate. Board-certified physicians rendered a judgment of the appropriateness of care given to the inmate during his or her stay. Most inmates (94.5 percent) received appropriate care, and regression analysis showed no significant relationship between appropriateness of care and demographic or offense-related variables. Most inmates' health status remained the same during their stay (89.3 percent). A small percentage of inmates were deemed to have worsened (6.6 percent), while 4.1 percent were deemed to have improved. A regression analysis indicated that older, Hispanic, and higher-security-level inmates were more likely to have worsened in health during incarceration. 5 tables and 26 references