| Abstrakt: |
The social, economic, and health consequences of incarceration can no longer be ignored. The disparities experienced by individuals in U.S. jails and prisons reflect the human and social consequences of political policies and cultural biases. More punitive sentencing policies have had a direct impact on ethnic and minority communities. Increasing rates of incarceration and the disproportionate impact on African Americans have resulted in the destruction of entire families and urban communities and increasing health disparities. Rather than mirroring the general population, the proportion of people of color in U.S. prisons and jails reflects the prevailing economic, health, and educational disparities. Rates of communicable and chronic disease during incarceration and upon release demonstrate the severity of these disparities and the extent of unmet health needs, including HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, chronic disease, mental illness, and substance abuse. The complications of these conditions and the lack of resources and the barriers inmates face when they return to the community are national problems that must be addressed through policy decisions and collaboration and coordination at the local, state, and federal levels. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] |
