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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1976

Prison homosexuality and its effect on post-prison sexual behavior.

Although there has grown up to a considerable literature on sex experiences in prison, little has been written on the post-prison behavioral patterns of those who, voluntarily or involuntarily, become initiated into homosexuality while incarcerated. In the light of the considerable number of prisoners and ex-prisoners in the original Kinsey sample, it is possible that the Institute for Sex Research might have in its files material that would shed light on this problem. To date, nothing has been forthcoming. In one of the few references to the subject, Kirkham (1972, p. 42) suggests that sexual experiences in prison may have permanent effects on the lives of some of the participants: "Can such men return to conventional heterosexual lives after release, or has the experience of being forced into acts of passive homosexuality been so traumatic as to preclude the resumption of sexual relations with members of the opposite sex?" In a search for an answer to his question, the present paper studies ex-prisoners whose initiation into homosexuality occurred during prison.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1977

Mass gastric examinations of prisoners at Miyagi Prison in Japan.

Mass examinations of the stomach were carried out on 79 convicts over 40 years of age confined in the Miyagi Prison, Japan. Of the 79 subjects, 11.9% were found to need detailed examination of the stomach which disclosed gastric polyp in one case and scar from gastric ulceration in one. None was found to have carcinoma of the stomach. Complaints of symptoms were obviously more frequent with the convicts as compared with a control group. There was not, however, a significant depression in efficiency of this group examination by photofluorography, as compared with the usual gastric mass examination on general inhabitants.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

The place of medicine in the American prison: ethical issues in the treatment of offenders.

In Britain doctors and others concerned with the treatment of offenders in prison may consult the Butler Report (see Focus, pp 157) and specialist journals, but these sources are concerned with the system in Britain only. In America the situation is different, both in organization and in certain attitudes. Dr Peter L Sissons has therefore provided a companion article to that of Dr Paul Bowden (page 163) describing the various medical issues in prisons. The main difference between the treatment of offenders in prisons in America and in Britain lies in the nature of the federal system which means that each state may operate a different system in a variety of prisons and prison medical services are as various. Nationally, the prison systems are 'structured to treat and cure the offender'. Therefore it follows that the prison medical officer is only one of the professionals concerned with this 'cure' of the offender. This principle also applies to any form of research: medical research in prisons is part of a programme which covers a wide field of social and judicial research. The prison medical officer (where there is one) has of course to look after sick prisoners, and the American idea of 'cure' is also expressed in the need for more corrective surgery where, for example, it is necessary to remove physical impediments to social rehabilitation. But a doctor is only found on the staff of those institutions which are large: in the smaller prisons there may be only first-aid facilities, and no specially appointed doctor in the community. Moreover medicines are often dispensed by medical auxiliaries who are sometimes prisoners themselves. Finally, in America prisoners are regularly invited to volunteer as subjects for medical and social research for which they are paid. In short, although it is hoped to 'cure' a prisoner he is a criminal first and a patient second.

Ethics, Medical↗
PubMed1978

A study of 128 deaths in New York City correctional facilities (1971-1976): implications for prisoner health care.

During a 5 1/2 year period, January, 1971 through July, 1976, 128 deaths occurred in New York City. The epidemiology of prisoner deaths including suicide was examined in a large incarcerated population. Each death was categorized according to the International Classification of Diseases. The mean age of the prisoner death was 34 years. Only 3 deaths occurred among females. Ethnic distribution of these deaths was similar to the prison population. Deaths of prisoners fell into 2 categories: external causes (suicide, accidents, homicide, legal intervention) and nonviolent causes. External causes accounted for 71 deaths. The leading cause of death was suicide, accounting for 52 deaths. Suicides occurred in all time periods of incarceration. The highest rate was in the 35 to 44 year age group. History of drug or alcohol abuse was reported by 69 per cent of the suicides. One-third of the prisoners committing suicides had histories of previous attempts or previous mental hospitalizations. Except for 2 individuals, the method was hanging. For the most part, prisoners at risk for suicide exhibited a common pattern and were identifiable. During the last 2 1/2 years of the study period, deaths were reviewed by a prisoner death committee. Deficiencies of care in deaths of nonviolent causation were categorized as "provider," "corrections," or "system." The most common deficiency in care was delay in hospitalization of prisoners requiring care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Prisoner subjects and drug testing.

Objections to prison research are based more often on opposition to the evils of prison life than to unethical practices and to the memories of atrocities committed in the name of science in Nazi prison camps during World War II. The National Commission's pronouncements on prison research specifically illustrate this general phenomenon. Having decided that research on prisoners can be performed ethically, and having learned that most prisoner volunteers bitterly resent being deprived of the opportunity to participate in research, the Commission has nevertheless stipulated prison conditions that cannot realistically be met and thus has de facto eliminated such research. The most serious potential loss is the elimination of the unique facility in Lexington, Kentucky--the Addiction Research Center. Predicting the addiction liability of drugs is not likely to be feasible in any nonprison setting, so that the addiction potential of new marketed drugs will be established in the future as it was in the past--by trial-and-error in patients, who will become the unwilling, uninformed research subjects in this area.

Ethics, Medical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prisons following reform. Current status and prospects].

The Author has examined the period successive to July 1975, namely, from the approval of the new prison System to the present day, highlighting the manifold negative aspects due to the incomplete application of the reform and not neglecting to review also the positive aspects of the regulations applied. The Author laid special stress on the distorted interpretations given to some different regulations of the System and on the ensuing wrong procedure that has been established, whose correction represents the only way not only towards a proper application of the reforming law, but also for preventing the most serious risk the reform is liable to run; that of being made the object of revisions and abrogations that might ultimately change their nature and jeopardise their objectives. The Author reviews the practical consequences of both the erroneous interpretations of the law and of its misapplications, dwelling on Article 30 in the first place, which has prompted some to define the law the "reform of leaves". Also examined was the problem of the special prisons, the usefulness of which is confirmed by the Author, who upholds the view that they must function in full observance of the regulations, for reasons of equity and opportuneness. From the rehabilitation treatment angle, the prison work, the participation of the extramural community, the "leasure time", the assistance after release. Still in the framework of his critical approach as to the prison reality, the Author illustrates the situation of the health service, and reviews the positive points that have been achieved in the implementation of some reform institutions, with special regard to the new disciplinary approach and its satisfactory results that have already been statistically observed. More adequate talks and correspondence by letter or through the telephone, a better compensation for the prison work, the convict representation in some sectors of intramural life, the measures as an alternative to enprisonment, all these actions represent the practical results of the reform achieved so far in a rather satisfactory way. After dealing with the figure of the surveillance judge, of the director and of the military personnel of prisons, setting forth observations and proposals to enhance their work, the Author declares, by way of conclusion, that he is fully convinced that the reform will ultimately attain its important targets, laying stress on the fact that the good will and the contribution of all those who are called upon to participate in its realization, may prove instrumental in shortening the period of time required for making the reform fully operative.

Criminal Law↗
PubMed1977

Characteristics of state prisoners who demonstrate severe adjustment problems.

Hypothesis was tested that prison inmates who present serious disciplinary problems during incarceration that result in human injury, threat to personal safety, or extensive property damage also will tend to show a history of significant societal maladjustment as compared to prisoners who do not demonstrate adjustment problems. Societal maladjustment was defined to include significant problems in education, marriage, military service, and job stability. This project was an effort to present a picture of the types individuals who cause what generally are considered to be the more severe prison disturbances. The social and relevant background areas were investigated of 50 male state prison inmates who had committed serious acting-out infractions. The same background data were checked on 50 inmates who demonstrated good prison adjustment within the same time period. When background data were analyzed carefully, a trend was discovered that indicated that prisoners who create serious trouble while confined also tend to have significant histories of social failures. The results are interpreted as in favor of the hypothesis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

The contractual model for prison health care.

In New York City, the Department of Health is responsible for providing health services to 8 correctional facilities which receive 60,000 admissions annually. A large component of this prison health system is a contract with Montefiore Hospital, a voluntary institution, to provide medical services to the population on Rikers Island, a penal complex. This contractual agreement is unique in that an operating entity, Monefiore Hospital, has agreed to provide a "package" of health services to a defined prisoner population. The City agreed to reimbruse to the Hospital for the three year term of the contract, a total amount not to exceed +11.7 million. Because of delays in renovation of the prison facilities, for the majority of the period of the three year contract, only two prisons were served via the contractual route. Since 1973, the program has provided a range of services including screening of new prisoners, primary, emergency, infirmary and limited speciality care. Major improvements in laboratory and radiology services were implemented. The early experience with this program indicates that in this setting the contractual model possesses a number of distinct advantages over the direct delivery of prison health services. Disadvantages include a significantly higher cost.

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMed1978

Life events and prisoners.

This study explores retrospectively the relationship of the accumulation of life events as it relates to prison incarceration and extends further the concept that coping with increasing environmental changes results in a variety of overt behaviors. The prison sample comprised 176 male inmates of a federal prison (McNeil Island, Washington) and a state penitentiary (Walla Walla, Washington). Life change scores were derived from the Schedule of Recent Experience (SRE). There was an escalation of annual life change scores of prisoners, indicating the mounting frequency of occurrence of life events prior to incarceration. The SRE may have value in the prediction of socially deviant behavior as with health changes. Variables seen as influencing life change scores were race, age, and education. Analyses of life event frequencies as compared to a normative group indicated that prisoners have evolved a coping life-style that reflects antisocial and criminal behavior.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Prison health and medical education.

Prison health has long been neglected as an area of serivice by organized medicine and a site for clinical education by health science centers. The University of New Mexico Health Science Center offers an elective, weekly clinical experience for preclinical medical students, senior nursing students, and senior pharmacy students at a prison facility in need of medical services. Students' reaction to the prison experience was strongly positive. Most developed empathy toward the inmates and a greater understanding of prison health problems. Inmates rated the student service highly and requested its continuation. This community health education experience has provided a noncontractual model of a university-prison health alliance.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed1977

Health status of the New York City prison population.

During a two-week period in June 1975, all 1,420 prisoners admitted to New York City Correctional Facilities were studied to determine the prevalence of current and past health conditions. Information was obtained from a standard admission health examination. Almost three-quarters of the male and female prisoners were 30 years or less. Of the study population, 57 per cent were black, 24 per cent were Hispanic and 17 per cent were white. Forty-one per cent reported a history of illicit drug use. More than one-quarter of the prisoners reported a present illness and three-fifths received at least one diagnosis. Commonly diagnosed conditions included drug abuse, psychiatric disorder, trauma, and alcohol abuse. Seven per cent of male prisoners had a previous psychiatric hospitalization. On examination, new trauma was noted in 10 per cent of the male population. In addition to these findings, a history of seizure disorder was reported in 4 per cent of the male population. Health services within prisons must be able to manage the most pressing problems in this population-substance abuse and psychiatric disorder and provide care for the range of conditions that is similar to that found in the general population for this age group.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

The HDHQ results of long-term prisoners: relationships with criminal and institutional behaviour.

The HDHQ (Foulds, Caine & Creasy, 1960) was administered to 100 long-term prisoners as part of routine psychological assessment prior to their allocation to training prisons. The questionnaire results were analyzed in terms of the prisoners' past and present criminal and institutional behaviour. Additionally they were used to test Megargee's (1966) hypothesis that extremely assaultive individuals are generally overcontrolled and will thus express less hostility than moderately assaultive individuals. The results showed that the sample of long-term prisoners had a significantly higher total hostility score than normals but did not differ significantly in the direction of their hostility. Violent offenders were significantly more extrapunitive than non-violent offenders, and prisoners who had attempted suicide were more extrapunitive than those with no history of attempted suicide. Apart from these findings no significant relations were found between the HDHQ results and criminal and institutional behaviour, whether violent or non-violent. Megargee's (1966) over- and under-controlled hypothesis failed to receive support. The results suggest that the HDHQ would be of little value in making predictions about future violent or criminal behaviour.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Self-esteem of prisoners committing directly versus indirectly destructive crimes.

62 prisoners from a county jail and a state forensic hospital, having committed 12 types of crimes, were administered the Coopersmith Self-esteem Questionnaire and a biographical form. Self-esteem scores were compared across three classifications of destructiveness of criminal acts. A significant difference was found between self-esteem scores for those prisoners who were indirectly destructive to others and those prisoners who were directly destructive to others or to themselves. Also, prisoners who were on work release and/or in psychology classes tended to have higher self-esteem. No causality was inferred between the instruction in psychology and work-release programs and higher levels of prisoners' self-esteem.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Undetected tuberculosis in prison. Source of infection for community at large.

Discovery of two cases of infectious tuberculosis in a state prison in 1976 prompted a careful study of the entire population of 1,500. Eight more cases were found, giving a morbidity of 670/100,000 (arkansas rate, 21.1). The epidemic was aborted by the use of isoniazid and the establishment of a program for screening and periodic retesting. Clear evidence was found for intramural spread of the infection, and eight of 16 persons with clinical tuberculosis from 1975 to 1977 had entered the prison uninfected. Nine percent of 800 men with tuberculosis in Arkansas from 1972 through 1977 had "done time" in this particular prison. In January 1978 a child died of tuberculosis transmitted from a former inmate who had been infected while incarcerated in 1976 but released without therapy. Tuberculosis morbidity was 6.5 times greater in state prisons than in the general population.

Arkansas↗
PubMed1978

Applicability of the Group Personality Projective Test within a prison population.

Administered the Group Personality Projective Test (GPPT) to 60 male offenders incarcerated in a state penitentiary. A board of 10 prisoners selected inmates who clearly had demonstrated one of three patterns of assaultive behavior: undercontrolled aggressives, overcontrolled aggressives, and over controlled psychopaths. A control group was chosen randomly from the prison population, as well. Results failed to support the hypothesis that GPPT scores significantly differ among relatively homogeneous prisoner subgroups or between these groups and the control group of non-assaultive prisoners.

Aggression↗
PubMed1977

Evaluation of the prison inmate as a subject in drug assessment.

The reasons for exclusion of prisoners from research studies on drugs were based mostly on a relatively limited group of laboratory parameters which could have been detected using a simple battery of screening tests. The answers to a medical history form added little to the evaluation of either the prisoner or student groups, were probably very unreliable, and could be just as well confined to a few selected questions regarding drug history as a matter of record. Students gave appropriate responses to a mood scale measurement test while prisoners characteristically did not comply. Because of a combination of various institutional and sociological factors, prisoners probably represent a special subgroup of research volunteers whose health status may not be representative of the total "healthy" population. They are unlikely to give accurate or reliable responses in testing situations which rely upon reporting of the subjective effects of drugs with regard to tolerance or pharmacologic effect. Studies of investigational drugs where the likelihood of potentiaal risk is significant should be avoided in such populations unless compliance has been assessed adequately.

Adolescent↗