{"title":"Prisoner's insomnia prevalence, insomnia associated factors and interventions with sleep as an outcome: a review and narrative analysis.","authors":"Chris Griffiths, Farah Hina","doi":"10.1108/IJPH-01-2021-0014","DOIUrl":"10.1108/IJPH-01-2021-0014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Insomnia is highly prevalent in prisoners. The purpose of this paper is a review of research evidence on interventions with sleep as an outcome (2000 to 2020) and rates of insomnia prevalence and associated factors in prisons (2015 to 2020).</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>An internet-based search used Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO (EBSCOhost), Embase, Web of Science and Scopus. Seven interventions and eight sleep prevalence or sleep-associated factor papers were identified.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Intervention research was very limited and the quality of the research design was generally poor. Interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), yoga and mindfulness can be beneficial in a prison setting. This review identified a high prevalence of insomnia in prisons across the world, which was supported by recent evidence. Factors associated with insomnia include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorder and pain.</p><p><strong>Research limitations/implications: </strong>There is a need for appropriately powered randomised control trials of CBT-I in prisons and a need to use objective measures of sleep quality.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>Due to a lack of an up-to-date review, this paper fulfils the need for a review of the evidence on interventions in prison settings with sleep as an outcome, rates of insomnia prevalence and associated factors in prisons.</p>","PeriodicalId":45561,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Prisoner Health","volume":" ","pages":"27-42"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9508712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michael Francis Doyle, Megan Williams, Tony Butler, Anthony Shakeshaft, Katherine Conigrave, Jill Guthrie
{"title":"Perspectives of prisoners on alcohol and other drug group treatment approaches.","authors":"Michael Francis Doyle, Megan Williams, Tony Butler, Anthony Shakeshaft, Katherine Conigrave, Jill Guthrie","doi":"10.1108/IJPH-05-2021-0043","DOIUrl":"10.1108/IJPH-05-2021-0043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this study is to describe what a sample of men in prison believe works well for the delivery of prison-based group alcohol and other drug (AoD) treatment programs. The authors hope the findings will help inform future practise in AoD program delivery in prison.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>A qualitative research paper reporting on a thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 30 male prisoners on their perspectives on AoD group treatment approaches.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Results indicate that matching readiness and motivation to start treatment is important for group success. Program content must be relevant and delivered by empathic facilitators who maintain confidentiality. It would be advantageous if one of the program facilitators was a peer with personal experience of overcoming an AoD use disorder.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>According to the authors' knowledge, this is one of few qualitative studies into the delivery of AoD treatment for men in prison and the only study of its kind in Australia. The consumer perspective is an important element in improving quality of treatment provision.</p>","PeriodicalId":45561,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Prisoner Health","volume":" ","pages":"55-65"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9455705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eric Arnaud Diendéré, Karim Traoré, Jean-Jacques Bernatas, Ouedan Idogo, Abdoul Kader Dao, Go Karim Traoré, P Delphine Napon/Zongo, Solange Ouédraogo/Dioma, René Bognounou, Ismael Diallo, Apoline Kongnimissom Ouédraogo/Sondo, Pascal Antoine Niamba
{"title":"Prison health priorities in Burkina Faso: a cross-sectional study in the two largest detention environments in Burkina Faso.","authors":"Eric Arnaud Diendéré, Karim Traoré, Jean-Jacques Bernatas, Ouedan Idogo, Abdoul Kader Dao, Go Karim Traoré, P Delphine Napon/Zongo, Solange Ouédraogo/Dioma, René Bognounou, Ismael Diallo, Apoline Kongnimissom Ouédraogo/Sondo, Pascal Antoine Niamba","doi":"10.1108/IJPH-04-2021-0036","DOIUrl":"10.1108/IJPH-04-2021-0036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this paper is to study the factors associated with the occurrence of diseases and beriberi among prisoners incarcerated in the two largest Remand and Correctional Facilities (RCF).</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>This was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study carried out from April 20 to May 19, 2017, in the RCFs of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. All prisoners who consulted and those referred to the health center by the health-care team were included in the study. Complaints and diagnosed diseases information were collected using the second version of the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC-2). The authors used a logistic regression model to perform univariate and multivariate analyses.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Of the 1,004 prisoners from the two RCFs included in the study (32.6%), 966 (96%) were male. The median age was 31.6 years. The distribution of diseases diagnosed using the ICPC-2 showed a predominance of gastrointestinal tract, skin and respiratory tract diseases among 206 (19.3%), 188 (17.6%) and 184 (17.2%) prisoners, respectively. A total of 302 prisoners (30.1%) had clinical beriberi, and 80 prisoners (8%) were underweight. Being incarcerated for more than nine months was independently associated with a high risk of digestive and respiratory diseases as well as beriberi.</p><p><strong>Research limitations/implications: </strong>This study highlighted higher frequencies of digestive, skin and respiratory complaints and diseases in the two largest detention centers in Burkina Faso. These diseases are variously related to age, penal status and length of incarceration. In addition, underweight and thiamin vitamin deficiency responsible for beriberi are more frequent in adult prisoners, those not attending school, convicted prisoners and those with a length of stay in detention of more than nine months. These concrete results should help define a strategy and priority actions needed to reduce morbidity in prisons.</p><p><strong>Practical implications: </strong>The actions should include the intervention of specialists in the field of common diseases in prisons, the improvement of individual hygiene conditions and environment, the improvement of the quality and quantity of the food ration, a strategy to reduce prison overcrowding. Other actions must be planned to allow specific groups such as women and minors to have access to health care that is adapted to them. Beyond the central concern of promoting the rights of prisoners and humanizing prisons, actions to improve the health of prisoners are part of an overall public health approach with its socio-economic and environmental implications.</p><p><strong>Social implications: </strong>There is a need for a strong commitment from the State to develop a prison health policy that prioritizes the prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases that are particularly prevalent in this con","PeriodicalId":45561,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Prisoner Health","volume":" ","pages":"97-113"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9459173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rebecca Jane Bosworth, Rohan Borschmann, Frederick L Altice, Stuart Alistair Kinner, Kate Dolan, Michael Farrell
{"title":"HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and tuberculosis-related mortality among incarcerated people: a global scoping review.","authors":"Rebecca Jane Bosworth, Rohan Borschmann, Frederick L Altice, Stuart Alistair Kinner, Kate Dolan, Michael Farrell","doi":"10.1108/IJPH-02-2021-0018","DOIUrl":"10.1108/IJPH-02-2021-0018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>People in prison are at a higher risk of preventable mortality from infectious disease such as HIV/AIDS, HBV, HCV and TB than those in the community. The extent of infectious disease-related mortality within the prison setting remains unclear. Our aim was to collate available information on infectious disease-related mortality, including the number of deaths and calculate the person-time death rate.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>We searched databases between 1 Jan 2000 and 18 Nov 2020 for studies reporting HIV, HBV, HCV, TB and/or HIV/TB-related deaths among people in prison.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>We identified 78 publications drawn from seven UNAIDS regions encompassing 33 countries and reporting on 6,568 deaths in prison over a 20-year period. HIV/AIDS (n=3,305) was associated with the highest number of deaths, followed by TB (n=2,892), HCV (n=189), HIV/TB (n=173), and HBV (n=9). Due to the limitations of the available published data, it was not possible to meta-analyse or in any other way synthesise the available evidence.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>To our best knowledge, this is the first scoping review focused on deaths due to these infections among people in prison internationally. The gaps identified form recommendations to improve the future collection and reporting of prison mortality data.</p><p><strong>Research implications: </strong>To inform targeted efforts to reduce mortality, there is a need for more, better quality data to understand infectious disease-related mortality in custodial settings. Increased investment in the prevention and management of infectious diseases in custodial settings, and in documenting infectious disease-related deaths in prison, is warranted and will yield public health benefits.</p>","PeriodicalId":45561,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Prisoner Health","volume":"18 1 1","pages":"66-82"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8992694/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41352750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kjersti Berge Evensen, Vibeke Hervik Bull, Linda Ness
{"title":"A health promotion intervention to improve oral health of prisoners: results from a pilot study.","authors":"Kjersti Berge Evensen, Vibeke Hervik Bull, Linda Ness","doi":"10.1108/IJPH-11-2020-0085","DOIUrl":"10.1108/IJPH-11-2020-0085","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Prisoners have poorer oral health than the general population. Good oral health is essential for both social and physical well-being. For prisoners, poor oral health is also related to drug use after release, whereas good oral health is related to successful reintegration into society. The purpose of this study was twofold: to examine the effect of an intervention based on motivational interviewing (MI) on prisoners' oral health-related behavior and to assess if the intervention is a good fit for this population.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>In total, 16 prisoners in a Norwegian prison were offered a brief MI-based intervention focusing on changing their oral health-related behavior. An oral examination was also performed and the prisoners received a small package containing oral hygiene aids. Two weeks later, a second oral examination and a semi-structured interview were conducted to explore the effect of the intervention and examine the prisoners' responses to the intervention. Qualitative data analyzes were guided by thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The findings indicate that the intervention had positive effects on both the prisoners' motivation to use oral health-related behavior and their performance of oral health-related behavior. The findings also indicate that the intervention was well adapted to the target population.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>This is one of the first studies that explore the effect of an intervention in improving prisoners' oral health and bridges a knowledge gap in the literature. The findings may increase the understanding of how dental services should be organized and offered to provide dental health care to this vulnerable group.</p>","PeriodicalId":45561,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Prisoner Health","volume":"17 1","pages":"546-559"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8753622/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43886513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sophie Haesen, Sebastian Rauch, Bernice Elger, Michael Rost
{"title":"Equivalence of care? Accessibility and availability of dialysis services for older prisoners in Switzerland.","authors":"Sophie Haesen, Sebastian Rauch, Bernice Elger, Michael Rost","doi":"10.1108/IJPH-11-2020-0096","DOIUrl":"10.1108/IJPH-11-2020-0096","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>According to the principle of equivalence of care, health care in prison has to be of the same standard and quality as in the general population. This study aims to determine the geographic accessibility of dialysis services for older prisoners and the older general population in Switzerland and whether accessibility and availability of dialysis care are equivalent.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>Spatial accessibility analysis incorporated four different data types: population data, administrative data, street network data and addresses of prisons and hemodialysis services.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Analysis revealed that the average travel time to the nearest dialysis service was better for prisoners (11.5 min) than for the general population (14.8 min). However, dialysis service for prisoners is hampered by the necessary lead-time in correctional settings, which, ultimately, leads to longer overall access times (36.5 min). Accordingly, the equivalence of dialysis care for older Swiss prisoners is not entirely respected for availability and accessibility.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>The strength of the study lies in the combination of ethical principles and the highly tangible results of a spatial accessibility analysis. The ethics-driven empirical analysis provides arguments for policy-makers to review the current practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":45561,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Prisoner Health","volume":" ","pages":"533-545"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9807548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The \"double punishment\" of transgender prisoners: a human rights-based commentary on placement and conditions of detention.","authors":"Marie-Claire Van Hout, Des Crowley","doi":"10.1108/IJPH-10-2020-0083","DOIUrl":"10.1108/IJPH-10-2020-0083","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The incarceration of transgender people is described as a \"double punishment\" based on lack of gender recognition and ability to gender affirm, and with their experiences and conditions in prison tantamount to torture. The purpose of this study is to illustrate the continued \"double punishment\" of incarcerated transgender people (in particular trans-women) and identify and describe breaches in human and gender rights and minimum standards of care.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>There is limited global data on the numbers of incarcerated transgender people, an identified vulnerable prison group. There are inherent difficulties for prison authorities regarding placement, security aspects and management of transgender persons. While the concerns apply to all transgender prisoners, the current literature focusses mainly on transgender women and this commentary reflects this present bias. A socio-legal approach describes and evaluates international human rights' conventions and human rights' law, soft law instruments mandating non-discriminatory provisions in the prison setting and relevant European and domestic case law.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Transgender prisoners experience an amplification of trauma underpinned by lack of legal gender recognition, inability to gender-affirm, discrimination, transphobia, gender maltreatment and violence by other prisoners and prison staff. Despite obligations and recommendations in international human rights' instruments and standard operating procedures at the prison level, very few countries are able to fully uphold the human rights of and meet the needs of transgender people in prison.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>This study is important as it highlights the dearth of knowledge exploring human rights discourses and concerns related to the phenomenon of incarcerated transgender persons. It uniquely focusses on European and domestic law and illustrates the inherent tensions between human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity rights and security considerations regarding transgender issues in prisons. Rights assurances centre on the principles of equality, dignity, freedom of expression, dignified detention and the prohibition of inhumane treatment or punishment.</p>","PeriodicalId":45561,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Prisoner Health","volume":" ","pages":"439-451"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9447606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ahmad Y Bashir, Noreen Moloney, Musaab E Elzain, Isabelle Delaunois, Ali Sheikhi, Patrick O'Donnell, Colum P Dunne, Brendan D Kelly, Gautam Gulati
{"title":"From nowhere to nowhere. Homelessness and incarceration: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Ahmad Y Bashir, Noreen Moloney, Musaab E Elzain, Isabelle Delaunois, Ali Sheikhi, Patrick O'Donnell, Colum P Dunne, Brendan D Kelly, Gautam Gulati","doi":"10.1108/IJPH-01-2021-0010","DOIUrl":"10.1108/IJPH-01-2021-0010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aims to review international literature systematically to estimate the prevalence of homelessness among incarcerated persons at the time of imprisonment and the time of discharge.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>A systematic review methodology was used to identify quantitative observational studies that looked at the prevalence of homelessness at the time of imprisonment, or up to 30 days prior to that point (initial homelessness), and at the time of discharge from prisons. Studies reported in English from inception to 11 September 2019 were searched for using eight databases (PsycInfo, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycArticles, Scopus, Web of Science and the Campbell Collaboration), in addition to grey literature. Studies were screened independently by three researchers. Results of studies meeting inclusion criteria were meta-analysed using a random effects model to generate pooled prevalence data.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>A total of 18 out of 2,131 studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies originated from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland or Australia. The estimated prevalence of initial homelessness was 23.41% and at time of discharge was 29.94%. Substantial heterogeneity was observed among studies.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>People in prisons are over twenty times more likely to be homeless than those in the general population. This is likely attributable to a range of health and social factors. Studies in this analysis suggest higher rates of homelessness in minority populations and among those with mental illnesses and neurodevelopmental disorders. While there was significant heterogeneity among studies, the results highlight the global burden of this issue and a clear necessity for targeted interventions to address homelessness in this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":45561,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Prisoner Health","volume":" ","pages":"452-461"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9454395","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Megan Reed, Anne Siegler, Loni P Tabb, Florence Momplaisir, Dorsche Krevitz, Stephen Lankenau
{"title":"Changes in overdose knowledge and attitudes in an incarcerated sample of people living with HIV.","authors":"Megan Reed, Anne Siegler, Loni P Tabb, Florence Momplaisir, Dorsche Krevitz, Stephen Lankenau","doi":"10.1108/IJPH-01-2021-0004","DOIUrl":"10.1108/IJPH-01-2021-0004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this paper is to present evaluation results. People exiting incarceration who use opioids are at an elevated risk for overdose following release. People living with HIV (PLWH) who use drugs are also at increased overdose risk. Overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) is an effective community-based intervention, but few OEND programs have been evaluated in a correctional setting and none have specifically targeted PLWH.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>An OEND pilot program was implemented in the Philadelphia jail from December 2017 to June 2019. OEND was provided through an HIV case management program and naloxone given at release. Participants (<i>n</i> = 68) were assessed for changes in overdose knowledge and beliefs in their ability to respond to an overdose from baseline to one month later while still incarcerated. Other demographic variables were assessed via publicly available records and case manager chart abstraction.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>A total of 120 incarcerated PLWH were OEND trained; 68 (56.7%) were still incarcerated one month later and received post-tests. The 68-person sample was predominantly male (79.4%) and Black (64.7%). One-fifth reported heroin use, a third reported cocaine use and nearly 2/3 reported use of any illegal drug on date of arrest. Among these 68, overdose knowledge and overdose attitudes improved significantly (<i>p</i> = 0.002 and <i>p</i> < 0.001, respectively).</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>OEND in correctional settings is feasible and knowledge and overdose attitudes improved significantly from baseline. OEND programs should be implemented within the general population of incarcerated people but, as with PLWH, can be extended to other vulnerable populations within correctional settings, such as persons with mental health conditions and a history of homelessness.</p>","PeriodicalId":45561,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Prisoner Health","volume":" ","pages":"560-573"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8549484/pdf/nihms-1747005.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9454394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
James Blogg, Colette McGrath, Jennifer Galouzis, Luke Grant, Wendy Hoey
{"title":"Lessons learned from keeping NSW's prisons COVID-free.","authors":"James Blogg, Colette McGrath, Jennifer Galouzis, Luke Grant, Wendy Hoey","doi":"10.1108/IJPH-09-2020-0073","DOIUrl":"10.1108/IJPH-09-2020-0073","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>New South Wales (NSW) correctional system houses 30% of prisoners in Australia and at this time has only had a single documented case of COVID-19 amongst its prisoner population. The coordinated response by Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network (The Network) undertaken with the support of NSW Ministry of Health, in partnership with Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW), Youth Justice and private jails has ensured that the NSW correctional system has remained otherwise COVID-free.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>A research study of how a range of partners which support the operations of NSW Correctional System developed an effective approach for the prevention a COVID-19 epidemic amongst its inmates.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Establishment of effective partnerships, early coordination of representatives from all aspects of the NSW correctional system, limited access to the correctional environment, reduced prison population and strict isolation of all new receptions have all contributed to maintaining this COVID-free status despite other NSW settings with similar risk profiles, such as aged care facilities and cruise ship arrivals, experiencing serious outbreaks.</p><p><strong>Research limitations/implications: </strong>Although Australia/New Zealand context of suppressed community infection rates for COVID-19 (which are approaching elimination in some jurisdictions) is in contrast to the situation in other parts of the world, the principles described in this paper will be useful to most other correctional systems.</p><p><strong>Practical implications: </strong>Modelling was used to underline our approach and reinforced the veracity of following this approach.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>The Network and CSNSW has been able to mount an effective, integrated response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been sustainable through the first peak of COVID-19 cases. This case study catalogues the process of developing this response and details each intervention implemented with inventive use of tables to demonstrate the impact of the range of interventions used.</p>","PeriodicalId":45561,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Prisoner Health","volume":" ","pages":"398-405"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9454011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}