KENTUCKY PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION TASK FORCE ON PRISON AND JAIL HEALTH - THE CAPTIVE PATIENT - PRISON HEALTH CARE - A REPORT

• NCJ Number: 64797
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 218 pages
• Grant Number(s): 58-1304-7312
• Sponsoring Agency: American Public Health Assoc; Kentucky Public Health Assoc; Kentucky Dept for Human Resources
• Corporate Author: Kentucky Public Health Assoc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE STATUS OF MEDICAL CARE, INMATE HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN KENTUCKY PRISONS IS REPORTED. COMPARISONS ARE MADE WITH OTHER NATIONAL AND STATE SURVEYS, AND REFORM MEASURES RECOMMENDED.

Abstract

DATA GATHERING INSTRUMENTS DEVELOPED INCLUDED JAILERS', JUDGES', AND SUPERINTENDENTS' QUESTIONNAIRES; INMATE-FELT-NEED QUESTIONNAIRES FOR JUVENILES AND ADULTS; INMATE MEDICAL HISTORIES; AND A SURVEY PROTOCOL FOR INSPECTION OF MEDICAL SERVICES AND RECORDS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. FROM THE 171 PENAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE, 48 VISITATION SITES WERE SELECTED. FOR INMATE PARTICIPATION, A RANDOMIZED SAMPLE SIZE OF 15 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION WAS SELECTED. DATA RESULTS WERE ANALYZED UNDER 6 MAJOR HEADINGS: ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES AND SERVICES; INMATES' FELT NEEDS; AND COMPARISON WITH OTHER STUDIES. UNHEALTHY AND HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OBSERVED INCLUDED THE PRESENCE OF INSECTS, ROACHES, AND WASPS, IN FOOD AND INMATES' CELLS; FILTHY, UNLIT LIVING QUARTERS, OPEN TO THE ELEMENTS BECAUSE OF UNCOVERED WINDOWS; NO ACCESS TO EMERGENCY HELP. THE DATA INDICATES THAT THE INMATE POPULATION REPRESENTS A HIGH-RISK GROUP WITH A PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC DISEASE. THE HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED WERE INEFFICIENT AND INADEQUATE, WITH NON-MEDICAL PERSONNEL MAKING MEDICAL DECISIONS, AND HEALTH EXPENDITURES ALLOCATED INEFFICIENTLY. MOREOVER, THE DATA SHOWED A HIGH PREVALENCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROBLEMS. THE FELT-NEED QUESTIONNAIRES SHOWED SIGNIFICANT DISSATISFACTION WITH THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDED. ACCESSIBILITY OF CARE AND MEDICAL STAFF ATTITUDES WERE THE MAJOR PROBLEMS. DISSATISFACTION WITH FOOD WAS STRONGER THAN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLAINTS, AND THE GREATEST NEED WAS REPORTED FOR ORGANIZED EXERCISE PROGRAMS. KENTUCKY DIFFERED FROM NATIONAL AVERAGES IN HAVING MORE COMMUNITY RESOURCES AVAILABLE, BUT LESS THAT WERE APPROPRIATELY USED; IN HAVING FEWER INSTITUTIONS WITH SPECIAL MEDICAL FACILITIES AND MANY THAT PROVIDE NO MEDICAL EXAMINATION AT ALL; AND IN EMPLOYING FEWER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FOR JAILS. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE COORDINATION AND STANDARDIZATION OF HEALTH CARE REQUIREMENTS THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM, WITH SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS LISTED. REFERENCES, BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND SAMPLE QUESTIONNAIRES ARE INCLDUED.